A deadly run of carbon monoxide incidents at La Tapatia markets has now turned into a high-stakes courtroom fight, with a new lawsuit claiming long-ignored safety problems cost workers their lives. Filed in Napa County Superior Court, the complaint accuses the owners of La Tapatia locations in Vallejo and downtown Napa of negligence after two employees died and several others were sickened by carbon monoxide exposure.
The suit, lodged on Oct. 30, says long-running ventilation issues combined with unpermitted equipment allowed carbon monoxide to build up in the Vallejo store’s mezzanine and bathroom. According to the filing, the owners ignored warning signs and never installed carbon monoxide alarms, allegedly putting both staff and first responders at risk.
What The Suit Alleges
According to The Press Democrat, the complaint, brought by Pleasant Hill firm Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, names the owners and operators of the Napa and Vallejo La Tapatia Markets and accuses them of negligence and labor law violations.
The lawsuit claims the company allowed unpermitted generators and cooking equipment to be used inside the business, paid workers in cash without providing pay stubs or W-2 forms, and failed to offer workers’ compensation coverage or overtime pay. Plaintiffs are asking for unspecified damages, have requested a jury trial, and a case-management conference is scheduled for April 8, 2026, according to the reporting.
Stores Remain Open
Even as the legal battle ramps up, both markets remain open for business. La Tapatia’s own website lists a Vallejo market and a downtown Napa location, and both storefronts were operating at the time of reporting, per La Tapatia Market…