Jay paper mill owners file lawsuit against Florida company connected to 2020 explosion
May 4—FARMINGTON — Pixelle Specialty Solutions, owner of the
One of two pulp digesters, known as digester A, ruptured and fell on the second digester, digester B, destroying both in the process. The loss resulted in the mill shutting down one paper machine and not rebuilding its pulp mill.
Also Read
>
> Jay mill to permanently idle paper machine, not rebuild pulp mill
> Logging organization disappointed Jay pulp mill will not be rebuilt
Pixelle and two of its entities,
"This event substantially damaged the mill and significantly interrupted Pixelle's business activities. Pixelle brings this lawsuit to recover losses and damages sustained due to defendant Trico's wrongful acts and omissions and pursuant to applicable contractual agreements," according to the court document.
A trial has been requested in the case. The suit asks that the court enter a judgment in the plaintiff's favor and against Trico on all counts and award Pixelle: all recoverable damages to be proved at trial including compensatory and contractual damages; pre-judgement and post-judgement interest; reasonable fees, costs and disbursements incurred; and for such additional relief as available by law or statute, and as the court may deem just and proper.
"Pixelle has settled its insurance claim relating to the digester rupture and relating property damage with its insurance carrier. This litigation seeks to recover damages from the contractors responsible for inspecting and providing maintenance on the digesters in the years preceding the rupture," Pixelle spokesperson
Pixelle Androscoggin, formerly known as Verso Androscoggin, bought the fully-integrated pulp and paper mill in
The company also acquired a master services contract that was entered into between Verso and Trico. A woman who answered the phone at Trico's headquarters said Monday there was no one there to comment on the lawsuit.
In
"In
In
Pixelle also claims that on
The failure also caused portions of the digester to "impact the second digester causing it to fall and land on its side," the court document states.
Pixelle and prior owners of the mill relied on Trico's skill and expertise to inspect and complete repairs for digester A and to make sure it was safe for use, it says.
As a result of the digester rupture, there was substantial property damage to the mill, including damage to buildings, equipment and inventory, as well as a significant interruption of Pixelle's business activities. The associated damage to both digesters forced Pixelle to stop all pulp operations. The mill now uses purchased pulp materials.
As a result of the failure of digester A, the company's insurance provider,
Pixelle's complaint claim's Trico was negligent when it failed to exercise reasonable care and breached its duty by, among other things failing to follow industry codes and standards, procedures and practices for the inspection, maintenance service, and repair of seams, cracks and welds for equipment such.
It also claims Trico's conduct was "deficient, negligent and failed to meet industry standards," that Trico has not indemnified Pixelle for the damages and losses sustained at the mill because of failure and rupture of the digester. It claims breach of express warranty, in which Trico allegedly expressly warranted that all equipment and services provided in connection with the master services contract, purchase orders and all revisions, and Verso's terms and conditions, would comply with the requirements of the contract.
According to the lawsuit, Pixelle has sustained damages to buildings, assets, equipment and property at the
___
(c)2021 the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)
Visit the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine) at www.sunjournal.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Feds Want Accused Medicare Fraudster Philip Esformes Confined Until Trial
‘It’s Just Sad:’ Texans Regroup After Tornadoes Damage Homes, Businesses
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News