Landfill accident prompts lawsuit

NORWALK — A Mansfield man is suing the Huron County commissioners, county landfill and two employees, alleging he suffered severe injuries when a septic tank struck him while he was unloading a trailer at the landfill last fall. Brandon FireThunder filed the lawsuit Aug. 25 in Huron County Common Pleas Court against employees Jason Trine and George Latteman, the Huron County Landfill and the commissioners. The complaint alleges FireThunder was unloading his trailer Oct. 24, 2025, while Trine, identified in the filing as a machine operator, was attempting to move a septic tank. Something allegedly broke while the tank was being moved, causing it to strike FireThunder. Latteman, identified as a supervisor, was notified and prepared an incident report, according to the complaint. FireThunder alleges he suffered injuries that required months of treatment. The lawsuit also claims he experienced pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma, medical expenses and lost time and enjoyment of life. The complaint accuses Trine and Latteman of failing to safely maintain or operate the heavy machinery used to move septic tanks. It also alleges the landfill and commissioners failed to properly hire, train and supervise the employees. FireThunder is seeking more than $25,000 in compensatory damages, along with legal fees, interest and court costs. He has requested a jury trial. The commissioners declined to comment, citing the pending litigation, and attorneys for the Huron County defendants have not yet filed their response to the lawsuit.