Pipeline Operator Sued in Explosion That Killed Three

27 Jul 2007

Seattle - July 28, 1999 -The families of two 10-year-old boys killed in a gasoline pipeline explosion last month filed suit Wednesday, seeking punitive damages and to ban the pipeline operator from continuing to do business in the State of Washington.

In two nearly identical lawsuits, the families asked for unspecified damages from Olympic Pipe Line Co., Equilon Enterprises LLC and several employees of the two companies.

The boys were among three people killed in a park in Bellingham, Wash., 90 miles north of Seattle, when more than 88,000 gallons of gasoline leaked from the pipeline into a creek and then went up in a huge fireball.

A Seattle lawyer representing the families said punitive damages are difficult to obtain in Washington state but may be possible in this case due to what the lawsuit calls the defendants' "grossly negligent'' conduct. The plaintiffs seek punitive damages "up to and including the forfeiture of all profits or permanent surrender of the corporations' license or franchise to do business'' in Washington state, according to the lawsuit.

Punitive, or exemplary, damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages in cases where the conduct of the defendants is so outrageous and beyond community norms that it deserves punishment.

Pipeline company spokeswoman Maggie Brown had no comment on the allegations but said the company "wishes to express once again to these families and their friends our own sorrow at their loss.