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Friday, March 29, 2024

Report: Nightclub owners want R.I. SC to vacate $1 million workers' comp fine

Paulsuttell

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- The owners of a nightclub where 100 people died in a 2003 fire are asking the Rhode Island Supreme Court to vacate a workers' compensation court's judgment of $1 million against them.



In 2004, a workers' compensation judge fined Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, owners of The Station.


But it wasn't until last month that a three-judge panel of the workers' compensation court upheld the $1.066 million judgment.


The Providence Journal reported this week that the Derderians, in their appeal to the state's high court, contend the delay in upholding the fine has "prejudiced" them and should be reversed.


The fine was issued against the owners for failing to carry workers' compensation for their employees.


Four club employees were among those who died in the Feb. 20, 2003 fire.


The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evening's headlining band, Great White, which ignited flammable sound insulation foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage.


A fast-moving fire engulfed the club in less than six minutes. In addition to the 100 fatalities, more than 200 people were injured.


According to the Journal, the state Supreme Court was expected take up the matter in conference, as early as this week.


From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.

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