Worker sprayed by oil and ammonia settles claim for $4.1M

A man who was almost blinded after a refrigeration system malfunctioned and sprayed fluids in his face has confidentially settled a claim against the system’s installer for $4.1 million, his attorneys report.

Wayne Ridgeway and Hank Burriss of Burriss & Ridgeway in Columbia and Ronnie Crosby and Austin Crosby of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick in Columbia report that their client, whose name was withheld pursuant to a confidentiality agreement, was trying to drain refrigerant from the system when it malfunctioned and sprayed a mixture of oil and ammonia in his face. He suffered severe burns and a significant loss of vision.

The client contended that the installer of the system had used a defective design that allowed oil to accumulate. He argued that the installation should have included both an oil pot, which collects accumulated fluids, and a spring return, which would have locked the system into a safe position in the event of a malfunction. Both safety devices are commonly used in refrigeration systems and would have protected the client from the splatter, Ridgeway said.

The client has not returned to work. Ridgeway said that there are hopes that his vision will improve, but it remains a wait-and-see scenario.

“This was a very sad case involving a hard-working client simply trying to do his job,” Burris said. “Unfortunately, what appeared to be an average day performing a fairly routine task resulted in a life-changing injury that could have and should have been avoided.”

The client had also filed a workers’ compensation claim, which was waived as part of the settlement.

Due to a confidentiality agreement, other details about the settlement, including the identities of the defendant and its attorneys, were unavailable.

Follow Bill Cresenzo on Twitter @bcresesnzosclw

SETTLEMENT REPORT — PRODUCT LIABILITY

Amount: $4.1 million

Injuries alleged: Facial burns and significant loss of vision

Case name: Confidential

Venue: Confidential

Mediator: Chris Daniels of Nelson Mullins in Columbia

Attorneys for plaintiff: Hank Burriss and Wayne Ridgeway of Burriss & Ridgeway in Columbia and Ronnie Crosby and Austin Crosby of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick in Columbia

Attorneys for defendant: Withheld