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Eugene

(67,176 posts) Sat Apr 18, 2026, 10:12 AM Saturday

Tennessee: Families of AES explosion victims prepare lawsuit, reject company's workers' comp defense

Related: AES fined $3M for ‘indifference’ to worker safety in blast that killed 16 (WPLN-FM)

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Source: WSMV-TV

Families of AES explosion victims prepare lawsuit, reject company’s workers’ comp defense

The lawsuit is expected to be filed no later than next Friday.

BUCKSNORT, Tenn. (WSMV) - Six months after a deadly explosion at an Accurate Energetic Systems plant killed 16 people, the families of victims are preparing to file a lawsuit against the company following a $150 million demand letter that was rejected.

The families of Steven Wright and Reyna Gillahan are moving forward with legal action after AES responded to the demand letter.

“In response, we got a rejection. We got an announcement of their defense, which is their position that workers compensation in Tennessee is the exclusive remedy for any injury in the workplace,” said attorney Darren Richie.

Jennifer Ward, the client liaison for the Wright and Gillahan families, said the company sent t-shirts with the deceased loved ones’ pictures on them to the families, along with a $50 gift card to Walmart.

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Read more: https://www.wsmv.com/2026/04/16/families-aes-explosion-victims-prepare-lawsuit-reject-companys-workers-comp-defense/

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Tennessee: Families of AES explosion victims prepare lawsuit, reject company's workers' comp defense (Original Post) Eugene Saturday OP

AES fined $3M for 'indifference' to worker safety in blast that killed 16 Eugene Saturday #1

Eugene

(67,176 posts)

1. AES fined $3M for 'indifference' to worker safety in blast that killed 16

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sat Apr 18, 2026, 10:15 AM

Saturday

Source: WPLN-FM

AES fined $3M for ‘indifference’ to worker safety in blast that killed 16

By Caroline Eggers
April 12, 2026

An explosion at a munitions plant in Hickman County that killed 16 people in October could have ignited for a multitude of reasons due to dangerous working conditions, according to a six-month investigation by state officials.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 100 citations and a record $3.1 million penalty against Accurate Energetic Systems.

All but five citations from TOSHA were considered “serious” due to dangerous or even life-threatening working conditions, according to a review of the documents provided to WPLN News.

Among the allegations, TOSHA claims the company exposed workers to known explosion, fire and blast hazards.

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Read more: https://wpln.org/post/aes-fined-3m-for-indifference-to-worker-safety-in-blast-that-killed-16/

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