3 Mississippi Paper Mill Explosion Lawsuits Settled; Details Sealed

Settlements have been reached in three federal lawsuits filed against International Paper Co. resulting from a 2008 explosion at its mill in Warren County.

Details of the settlements were sealed.

U.S. District Court documents show a federal magistrate signed off this past week on the settlements between IP and attorneys for the family of Terry and Kenneth Townsend, and separately, Eric Wilhite and Cody Wendt.

The explosion occurred at IP mill in Redwood on May 3, 2008. A contract worker was killed and 22 others were injured.

The plant cooks fiber to make liner board, which is used for manufacturing corrugated containers.

IP has declined to discuss specifics of cases in litigation.

Two other federal lawsuits and another filed in Warren County have not been settled.