Court Approves Class Action for Richmond Fire Victims; Crossen Law Firm Urges Affected Residents to Step Forward

RICHMOND, Ind., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal court has officially approved a class action lawsuit for more than 2,000 Richmond residents displaced by the massive warehouse fire that occurred on April 11, 2023. The fire, which started at a plastic recycling facility on NW F Street, led to a hazardous chemical release and forced a widespread evacuation. The Court appointed John Smalley of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz as lead class counsel.

The lawsuit, originally filed by Tushawn Craig and Marquetta Stokes, alleges that Cornerstone Trading Group, Seth Smith, and the City of Richmond failed to safely store and manage ultra-hazardous materials including large amounts of recycled plastic and other flammables. The fire released toxic fumes, including benzene, hydrogen cyanide, and asbestos, prompting serious health and environmental concerns. The EPA later confirmed the presence of multiple hazardous chemicals in the air.

The U.S. District Court approved the case as a class action, allowing all impacted individuals to participate. It also created two groups within the class: one for property owners and another for non-owners, such as renters or displaced residents. The court found that the shared legal issues like the cause of the fire and the exposure risk—made a group lawsuit the most fair and efficient way to handle the case.

Trevor Crossen, founder of Crossen Law Firm, crossenlawfirm.com, has worked closely with impacted residents and emphasized the importance of community action.

"The Richmond fire is a stark reminder of how dangerous industrial negligence can be when it's allowed near neighborhoods. We're proud to stand with residents and fight for the justice they deserve."

The firm has warned that residents may have been exposed to harmful substances such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and carbon monoxide, which can cause long-term health effects.

What Residents Should Do Now

Anyone who lived or was present within the evacuation zone from April 11–16, 2023, is encouraged to gather proof of residence, photos, and receipts of evacuation-related expenses. These documents will help support any claim for property damage and displacement costs.

To get involved or learn more, contact Mary McGraw atCrossen Law Firm at 317‑401‑8626 or visit crossenlawfirm.com. Their legal team is prepared to guide residents through next steps and help secure the compensation they may be entitled to.

SOURCE Crossen Law Firm