(Story courtesy of WVLT/WSMV News)

Nashville, TN (WSMV) – We are now hearing from law firms representing Impact Plastics workers and their families. One of them, Litson PLLC, is based in Nashville.

Alex Little with Litson is a former federal prosecutor. He said he is looking into several things, like whether the plant had a working surveillance system that day, to get to the bottom of what happened.

Johnny Peterson, 55, was a longtime supervisor at Impact Plastics who did not make it out alive.

“Look, it should have never happened,” Little said.

Little is now representing Peterson’s family and several surviving employees. They allege workers were not allowed to leave work in time to escape flooding from Hurricane Helene.

“The Peterson family wants to know what happened and who ultimately is responsible to make sure this never happens again,” Little said.

Impact Plastics said last week that ‘there was still time to escape’, but still, Impact Plastics said two employees were killed. Little said that number is now five.

“I think one was found yesterday,” Little said.

Bertha Mendoza, 56, was also among those who lost her life. The class action law firm, Milberg, is now representing the Mendoza family.

“My heart is broken,” Mendoza’s son said. “My father lost his wife of 38 years. We are not okay.”

Both firms agree this was a senseless tragedy for workers. The firm representing the factory’s founder, Gerald O’Connor, told us that he is also grieving those who were lost.

“Our focus is on our employees,” O’Connor said in a video statement last week. “Thank you for your hard work, as we all try to recover from this tragedy.”