Summary
reversing summary judgment against an employee who introduced evidence that an employer intentionally injured him by releasing dangerous chemicals with full knowledge of the damaging effect of such chemicals
Summary of this case from Swope v. Columbian Chemicals Co.Opinion
No. 88-C-0341.
April 4, 1988.
APPEAL FROM TWENTY-NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF ST. CHARLES, STATE OF LOUISIANA.
Ronald L. Wilson, Mark M. Gonzalez, New Orleans, for applicant.
James E. Blazek, Joseph B. Guilbeau, New Orleans, for respondent.
Granted. Relator's affidavits assert that defendant released dangerous chemicals at night by venting lines and washing drums near his work site, with full knowledge obtained at safety meetings and from other complaints that the release of such chemicals would cause damage to persons and property in the area at the time of release. These affidavits establish a genuine issue of material fact on the question of whether defendant knew that injury was substantially certain to result from its continued operation of the plant without substantial changes. Accordingly, the judgments of the lower courts are reversed, the motion for summary judgment is denied, and the case is remanded for further proceedings.
MARCUS, WATSON and COLE, JJ., dissent, being of the opinion that the application should be denied.