Ammonia leak (Illustration)
צילום: עמיקם חורש
Osem faces NIS 10M suit over ammonia leak
Food manufacturer faces class actions suit over hazardous material leak near Shoham; lawyer says damages sought based on 'conservative estimate'
Osem, one of Israel's largest food manufacturers and distributors, is facing a NIS 10 million class action lawsuit over an ammonia leak which took place in one of its facilities over the weekend.
The leak, which was detected in the company's facility in the Hevel Modiin industrial zone, prompted authorities to order the residents of Shoam to remain inside for hours so to avoid the hazardous material's effects. Two people required medical attention.
Shoam residents Mazal Hadad and Ayala Guate, through Attorney Ram Gorodisky, filed the lawsuit against Osem, saying that the company's negligence made "virtual prisoners" of the community's residents.
'Virtual prisoners'? Shoham (Photo: GPO)
The plaintiffs claim that Osem failed to take all the necessary precautions to prevent ammonia leaks it its facility and that despite the authorities' warnings, at least 500 of Shoam's 18,000 residents, were exposed to the toxic gas.
Gorodisky said in his brief that the damages sought were based on a "conservative estimate."
An Osem statement said that, "The company has yet to receive notice of a class action suit and therefore cannot comment on the matter."
