Texas' fertilizer plant explosion

Not only are the workers and victims filing lawsuits, but insurance companies are too, now that they have to shell out a ton of money rebuilding and replacing what was leveled in the surrounding town during the explosion:

W.R. Berkley Cos. Files Suit Against West Fertilizer Owner for Negligence

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According to court documents, subsidiaries of W.R. Berkley Corp. have filed a subrogation suit against the owner of the West, Texas fertilizer plant that exploded and destroyed much of the community.

Insurers involved in one of two lawsuits filed against Adair Grain Inc., the parent of West Fertilizer Co., are Acadia Insurance Company, Continental Western Insurance Company, and Union Standard Insurance Company and Union Standard Lloyds, according to the suit. The companies insure individuals, churches and businesses affected by the massive blast April 17.

. . .

The Berkley companies allege negligence in the operation of the facility, a fertilizer retailer. They say shockwaves, debris and flammeable material "caused severe damages" to the policyholders' properties and businesses.

"[Adair's] negligent act and omissions were the proximate cause of the explosion that resulted in damages to the plaintiffs," reads the lawsuit, filed by attorney Paul A. Grinke of McCathern in Dallas.

But then there's our wonderful GOP, rushing to protect the little guy:

Ted Cruz, Bill Flores Asked For Federal Aid After Texas Explosion, But Voted Against Sandy Relief

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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz lambasted the Sandy Aid package, voting against the measure in January. Cruz issued a statement explaining that he voted against the aid because it included a number of spending measures that were not related to disaster relief, including "Smithsonian repairs, upgrades to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration airplanes, and more funding for Head Start."

However, in Washington Thursday, Cruz said that he was "working to ensure that all available resources are marshaled to deal with the horrific loss of life and suffering that we've seen" after an explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas leveled the plant and nearby houses and business, claiming the lives of at least a dozen people and injuring hundreds more.

. . .

Rep. Bill Flores, who represents West, also voted against the Sandy relief package but is now requesting federal aid for the disaster in his home district. Flores said Thursday that members of Congress with whom he has been in touch have pledged assistance.

After Flores voted against the Sandy aid package, he justified his vote by saying the package was "too large" and did "more than meet the immediate needs of Sandy victims."

Yeah, a hurricane wipes out much of the eastern seaboard, and all they can manage is a collective "Fuck you!" But a privately owned fertilzer factory that hadn't been inspected in two decades, carrying 1350 times the amount of ammonium nitrate allowed without oversight, explodes one afternoon and government money can't come pouring in fast enough.

What spectacular bullshit. Texas taxpayers should file their own subrogation suit to make sure they don't pay a dime as a result of this company's negligence.