FORT WORTH, Texas – A series of lawsuits have been filed by attorneys on behalf of 21 individuals who claim to have been injured or affected by the explosion at Sandman Signature hotel on Jan. 8. The plaintiffs are seeking jury trials to determine the compensation for their injuries.
One of the most recent suits was filed by a valet attendant who was working just feet away from the explosion. The blast left him “covered in blood,” according to the suit. Each of the lawsuits targets different entities, but all claim that the defendants should have been aware of the gas leak that made the building unsafe.
A Dallas County judge has extended a temporary restraining order to halt cleanup work, ensuring that potential evidence is preserved. This means that debris will not be removed until at least Feb. 2. Part of the hotel, including the conference room where one plaintiff was giving a presentation during the explosion, remains exposed.
The lawsuits have been filed on behalf of various individuals, including those working inside the hotel restaurant, Musume, as well as hotel guests, employees, and their spouses. The lawsuits name property owner Northland Developments as a defendant, and some also name natural gas supplier Atmos Energy, Sandman hotel management, and Musume or its owner, Rock Libations.
As the Fort Worth Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the explosion and determine liability, Atmos Energy has denied responsibility, claiming that its natural gas infrastructure is not to blame for the incident. The legal proceedings initiated by the plaintiffs shed light on the consequences of the tragic explosion and the subsequent efforts to seek justice for the affected individuals.