Courts Clear Way for Suits Over 2010 Alabama Blast Deaths

Federal courts have cleared the way for state lawsuits over the deaths of two men killed in an explosion at Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal.

A judge last week rejected requests by some defendants to make federal court the venue for lawsuits by the widows of 58-year-old Jerry A. Grimes of Hartselle and 53-year-old James R. Hawke of Hazel Green.

The Huntsville Times reports the two men were working on a new process involving rocket fuel when a blast occurred at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville in May 2010.

Federal investigations faulted Amtec Corp., the company that employed the men. But Amtec denies wrongdoing and is suing other companies.

The men’s widows are suing more than a dozen defendants, and the decision means their claims can move forward in state court.