Rouse Polymerics sued for $65 million

VICKSBURG, Miss. (Jan. 2)—The family of the late C. Theodore "Teddy" Smith, purchasing director of Rouse Polymerics International Inc., has filed suit in Vicksburg seeking $65 million in damages against the company; Michael Rouse, its CEO; other Rouse employees; and the company's maintenance vendors. Smith, 40, died trying to save his fellow workers in the May 16 explosion and fire that destroyed Rouse Polymerics. Four other workers were killed, and seven more injured. Paul Kelly Loyacono—Smith's stepfather and the attorney for the Smith family—said Michael Rouse and the other defendants have 30 days to respond to the suit filed in Warren County Circuit Court. Rouse declined comment on the suit.