Packaged food giant ConAgra Foods was found liable for $108.9 million in a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2009 fatal explosion at a Slim Jim plant in North Carolina.
The Omaha World-Herald reported a jury for the Douglas County District Court found the company “negligent” in the June 2009 explosion that occurred during the installation of an industrial water heater at the Garner, NC plant. Three employees were immediately killed by the blast though dozens more were injured. Jacobs Engineering, a California company contracted to provide services at the plant, paid out approximately $108 million to settle lawsuits with affected parties. Jacobs Engineering later sued ConAgra to recoup the money, arguing no role in the explosion. The jury found Jacobs Engineering was not responsible.
ConAgra says it will appeal the decision.