Grand Island, Neb. (KSNB) – The district judge of Hall County, Andrew Butler, has refused to reject applications to reject an illegal complaint in the death of a woman Grand Island killed in the production of Hornady.
Adriana Alvarez was killed in October 2023 when primer exploded where she worked during a mixed process at the manufacturer.
A little more than a year later, Michaela Alvarez, the spouse of Adriana, was submitted by the complaint against Hornady Manufacturing Company, Platte Valley Energetics, LLC, Training and Consulting, LLC and New Lacheraussee SA
In the submitted lawsuit, she described the mixed process for the primer, the substance that tears off a ball over the run of a weapon when she ignites.
In the process described in the lawsuit, a worker had to use a spatula to scrape off the sides of a bowl to mix the primer. The lawsuit claim that the explosion has taken place in this part of the mixing process.
The lawsuit also claims that the standard operating process, which required the use of the spatula at the time of the death of Alvarez, was incorrect and was exposed to the employee of a “fatal risk of explosion”.
The lawsuit cited an OSHA examination that was carried out after the explosion, in which it was found that Hornady “does not protect the employees from explosion dangers”. The OSHA report also recommended that Hornady “examine options for further automation of the process”.
The lawsuit also notes that Hornady has agreed to provide Osha a revised standard procedure for mixing primer connection. Osha proposed a fine of $ 28,000 against Hornady.
The lawsuit calls for financial damage “in the amount of more than 50,000 US dollars” and other damage that can be awarded by the court.
In a letter submitted in January, the court asked Alvarez's lawsuit to dismiss the court. Hornady claims that the Hall County district is not responsible. Hornady says that the accident is under the responsibility of the employee's compensation court and is the only means for Adriana Alvarez's family.
Both Hornady and Platte Valley Energetics submitted applications when Alvarez was employed by both.
The judge took over the case after hearing oral arguments, which were specified during a hearing in February and court investigations.
Judge Butler said in the court order: “While the court found that this rule of exclusivity was applied to a final application, the court found that the Court of Justice is based on facts on the present case.”
He asks both sides to contact the court to plan future hearings, and if he has not heard from them within six months, a hearing is planned for the exhibition.
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