Plant Accident Information

The workers at America’s plants and refineries face numerous hazards on a daily basis. Why? Because they work with heavy machinery, around volatile substances, and perform hard labor. These risks increase dramatically when companies delay turnarounds, fail to replace aging equipment, or ignore safety standards. Chemical plant fires, oil refinery explosions, factory accidents, and other catastrophes may happen when big companies put profits over safety. This is unacceptable. Our firm stands up for injured workers, grieving families, and others affected by plant and refinery accidentsacross the country, taking negligent corporations to task for putting people at risk.

The state of Texas has benefitted hugely from the oil and gas industry, but unfortunately this has come at a grave price for many workers. According to the U.S. Energy information Administration, Texas is the nation’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas. Texas alone produced 41% of the nation’s crude oil supply and 25% of the nation’s natural gas supply in 2018, the most recent year of available data. Houston plays a major supporting role in these figures, and with that comes a great risk for the workers who power Texas’ oil and gas sector. Refineries and plants for crude oil and other substances dot the Texas landscape and require thousands of workers for their operation. These workers are subjected to an increased risk of injuries when refinery and plant owners don’t adhere to state and federal safety regulations, and the consequences can prove deadly. Texas has a history of catastrophic refinery and plant explosions, but this has not prompted an increase in safety measures.

Common Injuries

It’s not hard to imagine how a refinery or plant explosion can cause serious injuries. Refineries and manufacturing plants are home to extremely dangerous chemicals under a tremendous amount of pressure, which can be a recipe for disaster. When an explosion occurs, workers can suffer a number of devastating injuries, including:

• Shockwave Injuries – The blast from an explosion can cause shockwave injuries or blast injuries. These injuries can affect hollow organs, such as the lungs and gastrointestinal tract, and might not be immediately apparent.
• Burns – Because of the high heat generated by an explosion, nearby workers can suffer thermal, electrical, and chemical burns. These injuries can be extremely disfiguring, excruciatingly painful, and often leave behind permanent damage.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Many explosion victims suffer TBIs as a result of the force of the blast. Brain injuries are extremely dangerous and can cause permanent damage.
• Broken Bones and Lacerations – In addition to the force of the blast, explosions often shoot debris in all directions. From small pieces of metal to large hand tools, explosions can turn workplace surroundings into shrapnel.

For refinery plant explosion victims, recovery can be an extremely long road, and many will never fully regain their former abilities. Not only do victims face extensive medical costs, but they could also be looking at a lifetime of special care, therapy, and medications. Many refinery explosion victims are unable to return to work for a long time, if at all, which puts an even heavier financial burden on them and their families.

Plant & Refinery Accidents

Claim Compensation For An Accident At A Plant Or Refinery

You cannot count on your employer and the insurance company, unfortunately, to look out for your best interests. After all, their primary concern is to minimize their own losses by avoiding liability to pay you for your claim.

Before taking any further action on the case, come to The Daspit Law Firm so that we can review the situation and advise you of the legal options that may be available to you.

Refinery Accidents In The Energy Capital Of The World

According to information published by the Greater Houston Partnership, there are more than 700 establishments in Houston and the surrounding areas engaged in manufacturing chemical and plastic products. In addition to these, there are numerous oil refineries, including two of the four largest refineries in the United States.

Tens of thousands of Houstonians work in the manufacturing and refining industries, and these businesses play an enormous role in the health and vitality of the local economy. Manufacturing plants and chemical refineries, however, are notoriously dangerous workplaces, and many men and women who find employment in these industries face the threat of injury or death every day they go to work.

The most dramatic type of refinery accident is an explosion, in which dozens or hundreds of workers may suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. Even accidents that do not make news headlines, however, have the potential to injure, maim and kill the workers who have the misfortune to be involved.

Heavy machinery can mangle and even sever limbs. Falling objects can crush workers. Scalding hot liquids or vapors can cause burn injuries, and toxic chemical exposure can result in severe and debilitating injuries or potentially life-threatening illness.

Speak With A Plant Accident Lawyer Now

Workplace accidents in plants, factories and oil refineries may be caused by carelessness or recklessness on the part of co-workers, by lack of supervision from management, or other types of negligence on the part of the employer.

In some cases, an investigation will discover that the accident was caused by corroded or damaged equipment, and that routine inspections and maintenance should have prevented the tragedy. In other cases, fault for the accident may be based on the employer’s failure to implement safety regulations and to provide adequate training of crews.

If you believe that your accident was preventable, contact our firm for a free case evaluation so that we can investigate the situation and begin developing a strategy for pursuing the financial compensation that you deserve.

What to Do After a Plant or Refinery Fall Accident in Texas

Following a refinery fall, the most important thing is your physical safety and recovery. Even if you are able to walk away from the accident, you should still contact a doctor immediately. Silent injuries may occur, and it is important to receive a thorough physical examination.

Document all doctor appointments or other medical interactions related to the accident and save receipts, reports, and any other paperwork.

After you’ve addressed your injuries, contact your employer and notify them of the incident. If there were any witnesses to the fall, speak to them and ask for their perspective as to what exactly occurred. If your employer is willing to work with you, show them where the accident occurred and what potentially caused it (i.e., equipment out of place or a slippery surface).

Lastly, contact an attorney. It is important to have a lawyer on your side to ensure you receive any damages you are owed due to incurring an injury at your place of employment.

Plant And Refinery Explosion Lawyer Houston, Texas

Texas is a global leader for chemical plants and refineries. As workers handle volatile chemicals, converting hazardous raw materials into products of value like crude oil into gasoline, the engineering process relies heavily on safety protocols and up-to-date equipment and machinery. If a single system fails, like a rusted pressure valve or employees placing chemicals in the wrong container, the results can be disastrous.

Plant and refinery explosions can take out the plant itself and anything nearby. Sometimes toxic fume clouds are released over a city, causing repercussions that could be felt for decades. At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, our plant and refinery explosion lawyers in Houston, Texas, have extensive experience protecting victims’ rights.

Explosions in refineries and plants usually cause catastrophic damage and death. If you or someone you know has been injured due to the neglectful actions of another, contact our plant and refinery explosion attorneys today. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 713-244-5477.

Plants and refineries are all over our great state. In fact, Texas leads the nation in petroleum refining and chemical products manufacturing. Other plant and refineries include;

• Basic chemical manufacturing
• Petrochemical manufacturing
• Resin, rubber, and synthetic fibers
• Agricultural chemical manufacturing
• Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing
• Cleaning compound and toiletry manufacturing
• Chemical preparation manufacturing
• Plastics product manufacturing