More than 30 lawsuits filed against aerospace company in California over damaged chemical tank

By — Martha Bellisle, Associated Press Martha Bellisle, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/more-than-30-lawsuits-filed-against-aerospace-company-in-california-over-damaged-chemical-tank Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More than 30 lawsuits filed against aerospace company in California over damaged chemical tank Nation Jun 12, 2026 4:47 PM EDT More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against GKN Aerospace after one of the company's tanks containing a highly flammable chemical overheated and threatened a catastrophic explosion last month, forcing the evacuation of about 50,000 residents in California's Orange County. Debbie Cohran, who lives about 500 feet (152 meters) from the aerospace facility in Garden Grove, wasn't told to evacuate until several hours after the leak started, according to her complaint. Her suit said she experienced nausea and headaches for several days afterward. Melanie Rose Burciaga of nearby Westminster had just given birth to her first child and had to leave the hospital when the evacuation orders came in, her lawyer said in a lawsuit. And Juan Diego Orozco was part of a street repair crew working in Garden Grove on the day the overheating started. He said he suffered a headache and went to the hospital due to difficulty breathing and vomiting, his lawyer said. READ MORE: FBI seizing evidence at California plant where chemical tank overheated and forced evacuations More than 100 individuals — including some families with pets — as well as local businesses are suing GKN Aerospace, saying the U.K.-based company was negligent in maintaining a safe facility, especially since it's located in a large population center. Ten of the cases were filed as class actions in federal court, while 21 are in state court and cover one to 31 plaintiffs. The suits seek compensatory and punitive damages. A spokesperson for GKN Aerospace told the AP in an email Thursday: "GKN respects the legal process and will respond to these lawsuits in due course." Adam Zimmerman, a professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law who is not involved in the litigation, said the federal cases will likely be consolidated and the state cases will likely be moved under one judge, to ensure they are handled efficiently. Some of those state lawsuits may be moved to federal court, he said. Pressure on the company increased on Wednesday when FBI agents served a search warrant at the facility to collect documents and records related to the "storage, use, or disposal" of methyl methacrylate, the chemical inside the affected tank. The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that it had joined the FBI to "search for and seize evidence of potential federal environmental crimes." The agency declined to provide more information, saying it doesn't comment on criminal investigations. WATCH: News Wrap: Southern California chemical tank no longer a