Family and Estate of Mario Gomez v. Tec-Cast, Inc.’s

Family and Estate of Mario Gomez sued Tec-Cast, Inc.'s on a wrongful death negligence theory claiming that Mr. Gomez, age 61, died instantly in a blast at a Carlstadt metal casting plant five years ago.



Jose Salazar suffered a skull fracture and a broken leg and is still taking pain medication, while Ramon Agramonte underwent surgery for a broken ankle. Adalgisa Armetico suffered psychological injuries and went to a therapist for 12 weeks after the explosion.



Plaintiffs alleged that the employer engaged in intentional misconduct — a high standard of proof that they had to meet in order to obtain damages. They claimed that Tec-Cast failed to follow multiple safety regulations, failed to ensure that safety devices were operative, permitted repairs to be performed by unlicensed and ill-qualified technicians and did not conduct proper inspections. Tec-Cast's conduct was intentional and wrongful because the employer was aware of these conditions at the time that it assigned the plaintiffs to work near the tank.

Plaintiff's verdict for $2.7 million including $1.4 million in damages to the family of Gomez, a married father of five. It also awarded more than $1.24 million to Jose Salazar and $78,000 to Ramon Agramonte.