Woman Sues Lubrizol, TransChem USA After South Jersey Truck Leak

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — A woman claims Lubrizol and trucking company TransChem USA exposed her and other residents to "dangerous levels of chemical vapors" when a tanker began leaking chemicals at a South Jersey truck stop last week.

Gina Slavin-Borgesi of Gloucester County filed the lawsuit Friday. The Transchem USA tanker was carrying 7,000 gallons of specialty chemicals produced by Lubrizol. Related — Sickening Smell Lingers Post Chemical Leak In South Jersey

Slavin-Borgesi "suffered a range of debilitating respiratory effects and headaches" from the chemical release last Wednesday, according to a news release from her attorney.

The chemical release exposed her and other residents to "dangerous levels of chemical vapors," the lawsuit alleges.

Slavin-Borgesi filed a lawsuit on behalf of herself, and a minor she is legal guardian of. She's seeking more than $1 million in monetary relief and requested a trial by jury, according to the lawsuit.

Slavin-Borgesi is also demanding that Lubrizol and TransChem USA preserve all evidence of the chemical leak. This includes photos and videos, all the maintenance equipment and manuals for the truck, and all records of company communications related to the incident.

The lawsuit is filed in Texas. TransChem USA is headquartered in Baytown (Harris County). Lubrizol is based in northeast Ohio.

Adam T. Funk of the Potts Law Firm represents Slavin-Borgesi and the minor.

“This is a business that apparently conducts this sort of work all the time, and there’s no excuse for the negligence and failure to follow proper procedures that led to this event,” Funk said in a press release.

“Our goal in this litigation is to compensate these residents for the injuries they’ve suffered, and prevent a similar event from occurring, perhaps with even more tragic consequences.”

Slavin-Borgesi "suffered nausea, dizziness, cough, headache, lung irritation, and eye irritation," and the minor "suffered vomiting, nausea, dizziness, cough, headache, lung irritation, and eye irritation," the lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs are claiming negligence, say the companies had a "reckless disregard for safety," and claim the chemical leak is a private nuisance.

They are also claiming battery and assault for the personal injuries and "past and future damages," and seek compensation for any money lost to monitor their medical conditions.

Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a firm with offices in Haddonfield, is also counsel for the plaintiffs.

Lubrizol is not commenting on ongoing litigation, a representative told Patch.

Patch has reached out to TransChem USA for comment.