Bradley County chemical plant target of lawsuit

CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – A chemical plant in Bradley County is at the center of a new lawsuit.

Olin Chemical in Charleston is being sued by over 150 plaintiffs, many of them former employees, for what they say is excessive mercury exposure.

The plaintiffs are being represented by attorneys Joey James and Jimmy Rogers. 

A picture of the interior of Olin according to the lawsuit filed against them. (Courtesy: Joey Jones Law)

James said, “We know more about mercury toxicity than any other toxic compound, and the important point is, Olin knew it too.”

The attorneys claim Olin uses mercury as part of their manufacturing process.

James said, “They’re using elemental mercury in tons, some of these plants are using 600 tons of liquid elemental mercury on site.”

James says that the dangers of mercury toxicity are so severe, the lack of protection can be consequential. 

James said, “Typically we see brain injury, we see people beginning to exemplify things that an Alzheimer’s patient would exemplify, or a dementia patient would exemplify. So, we see loss of memory, disorientation, and personality volatility. People that I have represented, grown men that have assaulted their children with bats.”

The 500-page lawsuit was filed in Hamilton County Thursday.

Among the dozens of instances cited, one former worker claims they faced a multitude of illnesses including changes in vision, loss of teeth, blackouts and short-term memory loss.

Another claims their three children had learning disabilities and severe anger management issues.

 The attorneys and plaintiffs want money to cover health care, changes in how Olin operates and a specialized medical clinic for mercury victims.

We have reached out to Olin Chemical for comment on this story but have not heard back.