Toledo, Ohio – Todd Hartford, the proprietor of Hartford’s Fencing & Landscaping LLC, has filed a class‑action lawsuit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court against M.C. Tank Transport, its parent company Kenan Advantage Group, Inc., and plant manager Albert Dudek. The complaint alleges negligence, gross negligence/recklessness, nuisance and strict liability for an “abnormally dangerous activity” after a storage tank at the MC Tank Terminal on Progress Avenue released glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on Oct. 20.
What is GMA and why it matters
GMA is an industrial monomer used in the production of resins, coatings and adhesives. The lawsuit cites the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, which classifies GMA as a “probable carcinogen.” Exposure can cause coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath and other serious health concerns.
Evacuation and shelter‑in‑place orders
Following the release, Toledo Fire & Rescue ordered the evacuation of everyone within a one‑mile radius of the terminal and issued a three‑mile shelter‑in‑place directive, requiring residents to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Both orders remained in effect for more than 12 hours.
The lawsuit states that approximately 1,379 residents in 581 housing units fell inside the one‑mile evacuation zone, while roughly 49,527 residents in 22,940 housing units were subject to the three‑mile shelter‑in‑place order. In addition, at least 389 businesses and facilities lie within the three‑mile radius, including 35 located inside the evacuation zone.
Impact on Hartford’s business and community
Hartford says he was displaced from his home and forced to close his fencing and landscaping operation because of the release. He is seeking class‑action status on behalf of other displaced residents and businesses, requesting compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged harms.
Allegations against the defendants
The complaint accuses the facility of failing to maintain the tank’s chemical stabilizer, monitor temperature and pressure, and properly inspect and maintain safety systems, which allowed the chemical reaction to leak. It further claims the defendants knew the risks—including the potential for cancer and explosive runaway polymerization—but allowed hazardous conditions to persist.
Storing large quantities of GMA so close to homes and businesses is described as reckless. The lawsuit also alleges that the release invaded residents’ and businesses’ property without consent.
Corporate responsibility
Kenan Advantage Group acquired M.C. Tank Transport in March 2025 and, according to the filing, controlled safety policies, procedures, staffing and budgets at the terminal. Plant manager Albert Dudek is named as responsible for overseeing the tank’s storage, handling and maintenance.
Next steps
The 15‑page complaint is now part of the public record. Hartford’s legal team says they will pursue the case vigorously to hold the companies accountable and to obtain relief for the thousands of affected Toledo residents and businesses.
Local officials have not yet commented on the lawsuit, but the incident underscores the importance of rigorous industrial safety oversight, especially when hazardous chemicals are stored near residential neighborhoods.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
