Clinton, Iowa-CF Industries Holdings Inc., CHS Inc., and Agriliance LLC last week agreed to pay plaintiffs a total of $2.25 million to settle their portion of a case involving a death and injury due to a 2003 anhydrous ammonia leak. The incident happened at River Valley Cooperative in 2003 when a nurse tank ruptured, spilling 1,500 gallons of ammonia. Two employees – Robert Ryan, 68, and Nathan Nissen, now 28 – were injured; Ryan eventually died from his injuries. CF said its portion of the amount was $1.125 million. CHS confirmed the settlement, but did not comment further. Agriliance had not responded at presstime. The companies settled during the trial. They are seeking reimbursement from the tank manufacturer, Trinity Industries Inc., Dallas, saying the tank had a defective weld and was therefore defective from the start. Trinity has denied responsibility, saying the weld deteriorated due to improper ammonia/water levels that caused oxidation in the tank, according to the local press, which also reported that another defendant, Heritage Trails Associates, reportedly supplied safety training to the employees and had not settled. S/M Service Co., a former tank owner, was reportedly dismissed from the case.
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