Ben Carter
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, flattening a candle factory and leaving eight people dead and many injured. The factory, owned by Mayfield Consumer Products, was left in ruins, with over 100 employees inside at the time. This incident has raised questions about the company's safety protocols and has led to legal action, with employees alleging that they were threatened with firing if they left work despite the impending tornado.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people in the factory | 110 |
| Number of people who died | 8 |
| Names of victims | Devin Burton, Ivan Lopez, Janine Johnson Williams, Jeff Creason, Lannis “Joe” Ward, Elijah Blaze Lewis, Jill Monroe |
| Age of victims | 21, 51, 50, 57, 36, 35, 52 |
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What You'll Learn
Eight people died
On December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, killing eight employees inside a candle factory owned by Mayfield Consumer Products. The building, located at 112 Industrial Drive, was flattened, leaving only rubble. The tornado touched down several hours after employees first heard the warning sirens and asked to leave. However, they were allegedly threatened with firing if they left before the tornado hit.
The Graves County coroner released the names of those killed inside the Mayfield Consumer Products plant. They included Jill Monroe, 52, Devin Burton, 21, Ivan Lopez, 51, Janine Johnson Williams, 50, Jeff Creason, 57, Lannis "Joe" Ward, 36, and Elijah Blaze Lewis, 35.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, attorneys representing former Mayfield Consumer Products employees filed a lawsuit against the company, arguing that it retaliated against former employees who cooperated with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation. OSHA fined Mayfield Consumer Products $40,000 for violations of federal labor law. The company responded by cutting workers' compensation benefits, resulting in financial hardship for those with medical expenses.
The safety of the company has been a point of concern, with federal regulators finding 12 violations during a 2019 investigation, including defects in electrical protective equipment, issues with handling equipment, and problems with exit routes. The lack of a basement in the building was also noted as a crucial factor during the devastating tornado.
The impact of the tornado extended beyond the loss of lives, with over 100 employees inside the factory at the time of the tornado and many survivors struggling to adjust to life in the aftermath. The tornado transformed Mayfield into a landscape of damaged and demolished buildings, uprooted trees, and sagging utility lines.
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110 people were inside the factory
On the night of December 10, 2021, a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, tearing down a candle factory owned by Mayfield Consumer Products. 110 people were inside the factory when the tornado hit, and eight people were killed.
The factory was left in ruins, flattened by the tornado during a late shift as over 100 employees continued to work. The building was reduced to a pile of rubble, with widespread mangled remains becoming a symbol of the tornado's destructive power.
In the aftermath, questions were raised about the decision to keep the factory open instead of sending workers home. Several employees claimed they were threatened with firing if they left before the tornado, while the company denied these allegations. Attorneys representing former Mayfield Consumer Products employees referenced these claims in legal proceedings.
The safety of the company had been a point of concern prior to the tornado. In 2019, federal regulators found 12 violations, including issues with electrical protective equipment, handling equipment, and exit routes. The factory's lack of a basement was also noted as a crucial missing feature during the devastating storm.
The tornado caused widespread devastation in Mayfield, transforming the community with damaged and demolished buildings, strewn debris, uprooted trees, and sagging utility lines. The candle factory, with its more than 100 workers inside, became a focal point of the tragedy, highlighting the impact of the tornado on both the lives and livelihoods of those affected.
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Employees threatened with firing if they left
On December 10, 2021, an EF-4 tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, leveling a candle factory owned by Mayfield Consumer Products. Eight people died in the factory, which was left in rubble, and 102 employees survived the storm.
In the aftermath of the tornado, several employees of the Mayfield candle factory came forward with allegations that they were threatened with firing if they left their shifts before the tornado hit. Workers said they were told they would "'probably lose their jobs" if they went home, even as tornado sirens sounded outside the factory around 5:30 p.m. Employees congregated in bathrooms and hallways, fearing for their safety and pleading with their bosses to allow them to leave and shelter at home.
McKayla Emery, a 21-year-old worker who was trapped for six hours and sustained serious injuries, recounted from her hospital bed that she overheard managers telling workers, "If you leave, you're more than likely to be fired." Another employee, Elijah Johnson, echoed this, stating, "I asked to leave, and they told me I'd be fired."
Bob Ferguson, a spokesman for Mayfield Consumer Products, denied these allegations, stating that the company had a policy in place since the Covid-19 pandemic allowing employees to leave whenever they wanted and return the next day. He asserted that managers underwent emergency drills following guidelines from relevant agencies and that all protocols were followed.
The Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, announced that state investigators would probe the Mayfield candle factory to get to the bottom of what happened. Attorneys representing former Mayfield Consumer Products employees have referenced these allegations, and the company has faced legal action and scrutiny over safety concerns and its treatment of employees.
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Serious safety violations found in 2019
On December 10, 2021, an EF-4 tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, causing a candle factory to crumble and leaving eight employees dead. In the aftermath, the factory's safety protocols have been called into question, particularly as attorneys representing former employees allege that the company prioritized production over employee safety and retaliated against those who cooperated with investigations.
In 2019, federal regulators uncovered 12 violations during an investigation into the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, with six of these violations deemed "serious." These serious safety violations included issues with electrical protective equipment, handling equipment, and exit routes. The company was fined $16,350 for these infractions.
The tornado's impact on the factory has brought renewed attention to these past safety violations. Attorneys representing employees who survived the tornado are seeking answers and questioning why more than 100 workers were in the building during the tornado. They argue that there was ample warning, as the tornado touched down miles away from Mayfield the previous night.
Additionally, employees have come forward with allegations that they were threatened with firing if they left work before the tornado struck. McKayla Emery, a worker who was injured by a piece of concrete during the tornado, recounted feeling neglected and mistreated due to her desire to leave early. These claims have been denied by a company spokesperson, who asserted that employees could leave whenever they wanted and that emergency protocols were followed.
The attorneys representing the former employees have filed a federal charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Mayfield Consumer Products of retaliating against those who cooperated with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation. OSHA has since fined the company $40,000 for violations of federal labor law.
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Lawsuits and legal action against Mayfield Consumer Products
On December 10, 2021, a Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, was hit by a powerful tornado, resulting in the deaths of eight people and multiple injuries. The company subsequently faced multiple lawsuits and legal actions.
Initial Lawsuits and Class-Action Complaints
In the wake of the tragedy, multiple employees of Mayfield Consumer Products initiated legal action against the company. The lawsuits, filed in December 2021, alleged that the company had threatened to fire employees if they left the building before the tornado struck, despite the severe weather conditions. The plaintiffs claimed that the company had shown a "flagrant indifference" to their rights and safety by keeping them in the workplace, fully aware of the impending tornado and the potential risk of serious injuries or death.
The lawsuits evolved into a class-action civil complaint, with eight survivors and seven additional victims serving as Class Representatives on behalf of the more than 100 employees trapped in the factory. The complaint, filed in the Graves County Circuit Court, sought compensation for the harms suffered, losses incurred, and damages caused by the defendant. It also requested punitive damages to hold Mayfield Consumer Products accountable and deter similar conduct in the future.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Investigation
In June 2022, a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation conducted by the Kentucky Workplace Safety cabinet revealed further issues. The investigation uncovered numerous safety violations, resulting in $40,000 in fines against Mayfield Consumer Products and corrective action requirements.
National Labor Relations Board "Charge Against Employer"
On November 18, 2022, former employees of Mayfield Consumer Products filed a "Charge Against Employer" with the National Labor Relations Board. The filing alleged that the company was retaliating against workers who participated in the OSHA investigation by denying, abridging, or obstructing their access to workers' compensation benefits.
The legal actions and lawsuits against Mayfield Consumer Products highlight the complexities and ongoing repercussions of the tragedy. The plaintiffs seek accountability, compensation, and recognition of the company's alleged negligence and failure to prioritize employee safety.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 110 people inside the Mayfield Consumer Products factory when the tornado hit on the night of December 10, 2021.
Eight people died in the Mayfield candle factory.
The company was fined $40,000 for violations of federal labor law. The factory is now closed, and half of the employees are being laid off.
