SPS Technologies Abington Fire Lawsuit Settlements

On February 17, 2025, a catastrophic four-alarm fire tore through the SPS Technologies facility in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, sending plumes of toxic smoke into the sky and forcing hundreds of residents to shelter indoors. This was no ordinary industrial fire—it was the latest in a long history of safety and environmental failures at a company with a record of regulatory violations.

We are actively investigating legal claims related to this fire, including property damage, business losses, and potential health risks from chemical exposure. If you or your business were impacted, call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online to discuss your legal rights and your compensation claim.

Fires like this often leave a trail of devastation long after the flames are out, and holding companies accountable is the only way to ensure they take public safety seriously.

A History of Environmental Negligence Meets a Predictable Disaster

SPS Technologies is no newcomer to controversy. Founded in 1903, the company is a major manufacturer of precision fasteners and aerospace components, but its operations come with serious environmental risks. In 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined SPS Technologies $109,000 for mishandling hazardous waste, including “ignitable” chemicals, and failing to maintain an adequate emergency response plan. The same year, the company reported disposing of 177 tons of toxic substances, including trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and 1,2-dichloroethane—chemicals linked to cancer and serious respiratory illnesses.

Yet, nothing changed despite a history of improper chemical storage and regulatory fines. On February 17, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., an explosion rocked the facility, triggering an uncontrollable fire. While all 60 employees on-site managed to evacuate safely, the inferno quickly became a regional emergency. Hazardous materials teams and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were deployed to monitor air and water contamination, and authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for a one-mile radius.

For SPS Technologies, this was an “accident.” The people of Abington Township do not see it that way. If you burn down half the neighborhood with chemicals the EPA already told you to stop mishandling, maybe you do not get to call it an accident.

What Happens Next: How Industrial Fire Lawsuits Play Out

Fires at industrial plants rarely burn out in a courtroom as quickly as they do on-site. These cases often unfold in three key phases:

1. The Immediate Fallout – Once the fire is extinguished, attention turns to environmental testing, damage assessments, and regulatory investigations. In the SPS Technologies case, early reports suggested no immediate drinking water contamination, but history has shown that toxic exposure effects—especially from airborne chemicals—often take weeks or months to fully assess.

2. The Corporate Playbook – Companies like SPS Technologies do not rush to admit wrongdoing. Instead, they follow a familiar routine: downplay the damage, promise “full cooperation” with authorities as you have seen already, and, if necessary, toss out a few settlements with non-disclosure agreements to keep things quiet. Expect SPS technology lawyers to argue that they followed all safety regulations (despite the hefty EPA fines) and that this was a tragic but unpredictable event.

3. The Legal Battle – Industrial fire lawsuits typically involve claims for:

   • Property damage for homes and businesses affected by the fire, smoke, or toxic exposure.
   • Business interruption compensation for lost income due to evacuations or shutdowns.
   • Medical monitoring for residents exposed to hazardous chemicals, even if symptoms have not yet appeared.

If history is any guide, SPS Technologies will pay for this disaster—the only question is how much and to whom. This is not the LA wildfire lawsuits, but past fire settlements have resulted in hundreds of millions (even billions) in payouts to affected communities. The key to a successful outcome is holding the company accountable and demanding full settlement compensation and our lawyers think that will be done here.

The Economic and Community Impact

The fire at SPS Technologies did far more than destroy a building—it sent shockwaves through an entire community, leaving hundreds of people uncertain about their futures. Nearly 500 employees at the facility now face job instability, unsure if or when they can return to work. Many of these workers have spent years, even decades, at SPS Technologies, relying on their wages to support families, pay mortgages, and keep up with daily expenses. For them, this fire is not just a workplace disaster—it is a personal financial crisis that could take months, if not years, to recover from.

Beyond the plant’s employees, the fire’s ripple effects extend across Abington Township and beyond. The local businesses that depend on SPS Technologies workers for steady foot traffic—restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, retail stores, and service providers—are now scrambling to make up for the sudden customer drop. Many of these businesses were already navigating economic uncertainty, and now, a significant portion of their customer base has disappeared overnight. When a single employer plays such a central role in a local economy, the consequences of a disaster like this stretch far beyond the factory walls.

The disruption was not just economic—it was deeply felt in residents’ day-to-day lives. Schools in the Abington and Jenkintown districts were forced to close, leaving parents scrambling to find last-minute childcare or missing work themselves. Public transportation was halted, stranding commuters and making daily routines even more difficult. Meanwhile, 700 residents were advised to evacuate voluntarily, meaning families had to make impossible decisions about whether to stay in a potentially hazardous environment or uproot their lives on short notice. For many, this meant unexpected hotel costs, lost workdays, and the stress of navigating an emergency without clear answers.

Disruptions like these are not just inconveniences—they come with real financial consequences that can destabilize households and businesses alike. Families should not have to wonder how they will make their next mortgage payment because of a company’s negligence. Small business owners should not have to worry about making payroll because an industrial fire drove away their customer base. These are not theoretical losses; they are measurable, life-altering damages that should not be dismissed as collateral damage.

People deserve answers—and they deserve compensation for the losses that never should have happened in the first place. When corporations fail to take safety and environmental concerns seriously, the burden always falls on the people least equipped to handle it. That is why accountability matters. This is not just about rebuilding a factory. It is about rebuilding lives.

How Settlements Work in Industrial Fire Lawsuits: What to Expect Based on Past Cases

Industrial fire lawsuits, like the one that will likely emerge from the SPS Technologies fire in Abington Township, tend to follow a familiar legal path. When a company’s negligence causes a disaster that disrupts lives, damages property, and threatens public health, the key legal question is not whether the company will pay—but how much, to whom, and when.

Who Can File a Lawsuit After a Fire Like This?

Industrial fires do not just impact the business that went up in flames—they ripple outward, causing economic and health consequences for workers, residents, small businesses, and even local governments. Potential claims in fire-related lawsuits generally fall into these categories:

1. Property Damage Claims – Homeowners and businesses can seek compensation for fire damage, smoke damage, and contamination from hazardous materials. If firefighting efforts resulted in water damage, that is also covered.

2. Business Interruption Claims – Local businesses affected by road closures, evacuations, or loss of customers can claim lost income. In PG&E’s 2018 Camp Fire settlement, thousands of small business owners received payments for financial losses caused by the fire’s impact on their customer base.

3. Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Costs – Families forced to evacuate or shelter indoors due to air quality concerns may be eligible for compensation for hotel stays, meals, transportation, and lost wages. This was a key part of settlements following the 2023 I-10 New Orleans chemical fire, where nearby residents were reimbursed for the disruption.

4. Health and Medical Monitoring Claims – Fires at facilities like SPS Technologies often release toxic chemicals into the air and water. Even if exposure does not cause immediate illness, affected residents can sue for medical monitoring costs, ensuring that future health complications are covered. BP’s Deepwater Horizon settlement in 2010 included long-term health monitoring for those exposed to hazardous substances.

5. Workers’ Wage Loss and Employment Claims – Employees who lost their jobs because of the fire may be eligible for compensation for lost wages, severance, or retraining costs. Similar claims were filed after the West Fertilizer Plant explosion in Texas (2013), where workers argued the company’s negligence cost them their livelihoods.

What Past Industrial Fire Settlements Tell Us

Past industrial fire lawsuits give a good idea of what to expect in the SPS Technologies case.

• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Camp Fire Settlement (2018)
  The Camp Fire in California destroyed more than 18,000 structures and displaced thousands. PG&E ultimately agreed to a $13.5 billion settlement to compensate victims for property damage, business losses, and wrongful deaths. This case set a precedent for large-scale fire lawsuits, showing that utility and industrial companies can be held accountable for the widespread damage they cause.

• ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery Fire (2020)
  After a fire and explosion at ExxonMobil’s Louisiana refinery, local residents filed lawsuits for health effects, evacuation costs, and economic losses. The company ultimately settled claims for millions, compensating those directly affected by the incident.

• West Fertilizer Plant Explosion (2013)
  When a fertilizer plant exploded in Texas, the blast killed 15 people, leveled homes, and displaced families. The lawsuits led to a $230 million settlement that covered wrongful death claims, property destruction, and economic losses.

• Williams Olefins Plant Explosion (2013)
  After a massive chemical plant explosion in Geismar, Louisiana, workers who suffered injuries and families affected by the explosion received a $66 million settlement from Williams Companies. This case reinforced that industrial accidents often result in multi-million dollar settlements to cover medical costs and lost wages.

How Long Do Industrial Fire Settlements Take?

The timeline for resolving industrial fire lawsuits depends on how aggressively the company fights the claims.

1. Some cases settle within a year – Companies looking to avoid bad press and prolonged litigation may offer quick settlements. In the Philadelphia refinery fire of 2019, the  defendants stepped up quickly. Some property damage claims were settled within months. This is the best case scenario here.

2. Larger, more complex cases can take 2-5 years – If thousands of claimants file lawsuits, the company may push for a class action settlement or multidistrict litigation (MDL). The PG&E Camp Fire claims took several years to resolve because of the sheer scale of the disaster.

3. Cases that go to trial can take even longer – If the company refuses to settle, individual lawsuits may go to trial, potentially dragging the process out for five years or more. However, companies typically prefer to settle rather than risk massive jury verdicts.

What Victims Should Do Now

If you were impacted by the SPS Technologies fire in Abington Township, it is important to start documenting your losses now.

• Keep track of expenses – If you had to evacuate, lost income, or suffered property damage, keep receipts, photos, and medical records to support your claim.
• Speak with an attorney – Industrial fire cases are complex, and corporate defendants will try to minimize their liability. Consulting a lawyer ensures that you do not accept a lowball settlement that fails to cover your full losses.
• Monitor environmental reports – If hazardous materials were released, you may have long-term health concerns. Fire-related lawsuits often include claims for medical monitoring to ensure victims receive the care they need.

Statute of Limitations for Fire-Related Claims in Pennsylvania

The SPS Technologies fire in Abington Township just happened, but legal deadlines and settlement negotiations can sneak up faster than people realize. In Pennsylvania, victims of industrial fires have a limited window to file lawsuits for damages, including property loss, business interruption, personal injuries, and exposure to hazardous materials. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, most personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years of the incident. Business interruption claims typically follow the same two-year statute, though some contract-based claims may have different deadlines. If long-term health issues arise from toxic exposure, Pennsylvania’s discovery rule may extend the timeline, but only if the victim can prove they could not have reasonably known about their injury earlier.

Many industrial fire cases settle before reaching trial, but settlements do not wait indefinitely. Companies like SPS Technologies may push for quick, lowball settlements before victims fully understand their long-term losses. Meanwhile, large-scale lawsuits can move into class actions or multidistrict litigation (MDL), creating hard deadlines for joining a settlement fund. Victims of past fires, like those from the Philadelphia refinery explosion in 2019, have learned the hard way that waiting too long can mean losing out entirely. The best way to protect your rights is to act early, document your damages, and consult with an attorney before critical deadlines pass.

Holding SPS Technologies Accountable: What You Can Do

If your home, business, or health has been affected by the SPS Technologies fire, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation. Cases like these require experienced legal representation to ensure that victims are not left footing the bill for a company’s failures.

Call us at 800-553-8082 to contact us online to discuss your legal options. The fire may be out, but the fight for accountability is just beginning.