Staff at Bay Area market died of carbon monoxide exposure, lawsuit says

"The complaint, which was filed in Napa County Superior Court on Oct. 30, alleges that La Tapatia Market owners and brothers Ismael Magallanes and Ignacio Magallanes failed to protect employees from repeated carbon monoxide exposure in their store at 601 Broadway St. in Vallejo. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of several La Tapatia employees and the surviving family members of one of the deceased employees."

"Employees at Vallejo's La Tapatia Market began to experience carbon monoxide symptoms that included nausea, headaches and fainting spells around 2023 but, according to the lawsuit, management did nothing to address staff complaints, even after "witnessing employees developing concerning symptoms." In October 2023, staffer Brisamar Ramirez Rodriguez was sent to the emergency room when she began to lose consciousness while she was on the mezzanine level of the market."

Owners Ismael and Ignacio Magallanes are accused of failing to protect employees from repeated carbon monoxide exposure at La Tapatia Market, 601 Broadway St., Vallejo. A complaint filed Oct. 30 in Napa County Superior Court alleges employees experienced nausea, headaches and fainting beginning in 2023 while management allegedly ignored complaints and witnessed symptoms without remedy. The complaint claims illegal and unvented sources of carbon monoxide, use of unregulated and poorly maintained generators and charcoal grills, and unhealthy concentrations most egregious on the mezzanine and near the employee bathroom. Allegations also include unpaid overtime, cash payments preventing benefits, and lack of workers' compensation after injuries and deaths.

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