La Porte plant worker's widow sues DuPont over chemical leak

DuPont employees and brothers, Robert Tisnado, left, 39 and Gilbert "Gibby" Tisnado, right, 48, died in the DuPont La Porte chemical leak Saturday. (Family Photos) DuPont employees and brothers, Robert Tisnado, left, 39 and Gilbert "Gibby" Tisnado, right, 48, died in the DuPont La Porte chemical leak Saturday. (Family Photos) Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close La Porte plant worker's widow sues DuPont over chemical leak 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

The widow of a man who allegedly died from inhaling toxic gas at a La Porte chemical plant has filed a wrongful death suit against the company and plant manager.

Michelle Tisnado, widow of Gilbert Tisnado, sued E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. and plant manager Randall Clements on Monday in Harris County's 270th State District Court.

Three other workers, including Gilbert Tisnado's brother, Robert Tisnado, also died during the Saturday incident.

Gilbert Tisnado worked in the plant's crop protection division, the plaintiff's petition states. The crop protection unit stored methyl mercaptan in liquid form, which is a hazardous chemical used in fungicide, the petition stattes.

Tisnado was exposed to the chemical as he worked to repair a leaky valve, the petition states.

The suit seeks more than $1 million in damages.

Michelle Tisnado is represented by Beaumont attorneys Clay Dugas and Cody Rees.

On its website, DuPont issued a statement that said, in part: "There are no words to fully express the loss we feel or the concern and sympathy we extend to the families of the four employees who died on November 15, and their co-workers. We continue to be directly engaged with the families to provide them every measure of support and assistance during this difficult time."