Advanced Veterinary Technologies Inc. is being sued over the explosion of an MRI machine at Oradell Animal Hospital.
HACKENSACK - At least two lawsuits have been filed against the owners of a veterinary MRI machine that exploded at the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus last year.
Advanced Veterinary Technologies Inc. failed to exercise due care, properly train its operators and deviated from project plans on March 6, 2015, when its machine exploded and caused an estimated $1 million in damages, according to lawsuits filed by two insurance companies.
The suits state Oradell Animal Hospital had leased the MRI machine from the defendants in 2002 and that the company provided warranties that the machine was safe and free from defects.
Around the time the lease ended, the company sent a worker from Ridgefield to dismantle and remove the machine, according to court papers. That's when the device exploded, seriously injuring the worker.
The insurance companies that have filed suits in Bergen County Superior Court are Continental Casualty Company and Franklin Mutual Insurance Company. FMI claims it paid $925,000 toward repair of the building.
Efforts to reach representatives of Adanced Veterinary Technologies were not successful. The company's website has apparently been taken down and two business phone numbers have been disconnected.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.