By Rich McKay

(Reuters) – On Monday, the family of an Amazon.com delivery driver from Illinois died after a tornado swarm destroyed his warehouse. Six people were killed.

Clifford Law Offices in Chicago filed the suit against the company as the first to do so following the catastrophe. It was on behalf of Austin McEwen’s family. It was filed at Third Judicial Circuit Madison County, Illinois.

Attorney Jack J. Casciato stated that Amazon knew of the dangers and that tornado warnings were being issued. However, company officials “plied the system with lives in order to make money over safety.”

Casciato declared, “We seek damages in excess to multi-millions,”

Kelly Nantel (Amazon Spokesperson) stated that all codes were followed and that Amazon management closely observed weather conditions.

Natel stated in a statement that he believed his team did what was right as soon as a warning was given. He also said they tried to get people as safely as possible.

“We will defend against this lawsuit, but our focus continues to be on supporting our employees and partners, the families who lost loved ones, the surrounding community, and all those affected by the tornadoes,” she said.

A barrage of tornadoes struck six states in the United States on December 10, leaving behind a trail that lasted more than 200 km (322km) of destruction and death.

Six workers at an Amazon delivery center were just a few of the more than 70 people who perished in the disaster. Amazon reports that the site had received tornado warnings from 8:06 to 8:16 pm. Before the tornado hit the building at 8 :27 p.m.

Reuters has learned that Amazon employees were directed by managers to seek shelter in bathrooms following emergency calls on their mobile phones.

Casciato claimed that insufficient storm shelters had been provided by the company, and the company should have evacuated its warehouse immediately after the first warnings were issued.

He stated that he was suing Amazon because he believed companies would learn from his actions.