In 2007, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed due to a fatal workplace injury against the largest uniform supplier in the country.

This week, in a 31-page opinion that asserted a conflict in the evidence regarding whether Cintas, the uniform supplier, knew that workers were cutting corners on workplace safety but did nothing to enforce rules designed to prevent injuries and deaths, the Federal Judge Claire Eagan moved the plaintiff’s wrongful death action one step closer to trial.

According to the New York Times, the Judge noted in her opinion that videotape evidence showed workers ignoring workplace safety rules on a regular basis.  The plaintiff, Amalia Diaz Torres sued Cincinnati-based Cintas for the wrongful death of her husband who suffered a fatal workplace injury when he fell into a 300-degree dryer.

Ms. Torres has alleged that the company knew that workplace safety rules, designed to prevent workplace injuries, were being violated by workers on a regular basis.  She asserts that not only did the company ignore this behavior but they encouraged it.

An investigation by the Associated Press last year discovered that eight Cintas plants in six states had been cited by OSHA (for workplace injury prevention violations) regarding workplace safety issues like those alleged in Ms. Torres’ wrongful death lawsuit.

In 2008 Cintas posted almost $4 billion in sales.  The trial is currently set for April 19, 2010.