Federal report faults BioLab after 2024 fire as lawsuits grow
A new federal investigation into the 2024 BioLab fire in Rockdale County is fueling a growing wave of lawsuits, with investigators detailing what they describe as widespread safety failures at the facility.
(CNN)- A new federal investigation into the 2024 BioLab fire in Rockdale County is fueling a growing wave of lawsuits, with investigators detailing what they describe as widespread safety failures at the facility.
The report found BioLab stored more than twice the amount of permitted product, kept water-reactive chemicals in non-waterproof bags and operated a building with approximately 1,100 corroded sprinkler heads.
For business owner Chris Lovejoy, the findings confirm what he has believed since the fire forced his company to rebuild.
Lovejoy said nearly everything inside his 27-year-old business had to be replaced and that he continues to experience lingering health effects he believes are tied to the chemical fumes released during the fire.
Attorneys representing two Rockdale County deputies and a local resident who claim the exposure caused lung damage say the report strengthens allegations that BioLab operated a negligent facility.
Attorney Alan Holcomb called the investigation an independent confirmation of the claims being made in court, adding that the legal system may now determine whether the company is held accountable.
Independent attorney Andrew Beal, who is not involved in the litigation, said the report could make BioLab’s defense significantly more difficult because it identifies problems with the facility’s design, permitting and fire suppression system.
In a statement, BioLab said it is reviewing the report and reiterated that “the health and safety of the communities where we operate is a top priority.”
Lovejoy said he plans to file a lawsuit later this month, joining at least a dozen other legal actions already filed. Attorneys note the statute of limitations for many claims related to the fire is two years, with that deadline approaching.
