Industrial Accidents

Industrial Accident Lawyer

Industrial worksites like plants, refineries, and factories carry risks that go far beyond a typical workplace, heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and high-pressure systems can turn a single mistake into a life-changing injury.

These cases are rarely simple, since a worksite often has several companies operating side by side, each with its own safety obligations and its own insurance policy.

At The Daspit Law Firm, we know how to investigate an industrial accident, identify every party who bears responsibility, and build a claim that reflects the true cost of your injury.

Choose a Proven Industrial Accident Attorney

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in an industrial accident, you owe it to yourself to find a personal injury lawyer who has the skill and dedication necessary to fight for the financial compensation that you deserve.

Plant and refinery accidents, chemical plant accidents, oil field explosions and other types of industrial accidents can have a devastating impact on the lives of the accident victim and his or her family members.

Accidents of this scope and severity often form a turning point in the lives of those who are involved, and it happens all too often that the worker and the worker's family will face a future of financial deprivation and the struggle of coping with the long-term pain and suffering of the injury.

Have questions about your industrial accident? View our Industrial Accident FAQ.

Attorney John Daspit has extensive experience handling a variety of industrial accident cases. For example, he spent 7,000 - 8,000 hours working on the BP refinery explosion case from 2005 that involved 15 deaths and more than 170 injuries. If you want hard-hitting legal representation in your claim for financial compensation, choose our firm from the outset of the process.

Types of Industrial Accident Claims We Handle

We can assist you with every aspect of the legal process, beginning with investigating the case to isolate the causes of the accident. By uncovering evidence such as violations of safety regulations and other types of negligence, it may be possible to establish liability for the accident with the employer.

Alternatively, it might be possible to file a workers' compensation claim for recovery of medical benefits and replacement for lost wages. We represent individuals and families in claims for all types of industrial injuries, as well as class actions in cases involving several, dozens or hundreds of injured industrial workers.

FAQS Regarding Industrial Accidents

What qualifies as an industrial accident in Texas?

An industrial accident is any injury-causing incident at a plant, refinery, factory, warehouse, or other heavy-industry worksite, including explosions, chemical releases, machinery malfunctions, falls, and equipment failures.

These cases often involve multiple companies on site at once, which is part of what makes liability more complex than a typical workplace injury.

Can I sue my employer after an industrial accident, or only file for workers' compensation?

It depends on whether your employer subscribes to workers' compensation insurance. If they are a non-subscriber, you can generally sue them directly for negligence.

If they do carry workers' comp, you typically cannot sue your employer, but you can still file a workers' comp claim, and you may have a separate third-party claim against a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or other company on site that was not your employer.

Who else besides my employer could be liable for an industrial accident?

Industrial worksites are often staffed by layers of contractors and subcontractors, so liability can extend to the site owner, a general contractor, a maintenance or turnaround contractor, a staffing agency, or the manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment. Each of these parties typically carries its own insurance policy, which is why identifying every liable party matters for the value of your claim.

What compensation can I recover after a serious industrial accident?

You may recover past and future medical treatment, lost wages, and lost earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to work. Noneconomic damages can cover pain, suffering, disfigurement, and physical impairment, and where a company's conduct was grossly negligent, punitive damages may be available. Families who lost a worker can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs and lost financial support.

What should I do immediately after being injured in an industrial accident?

Get medical attention first and make sure the injury is reported to your supervisor in writing. Request a copy of the incident report, photograph the equipment and area if you are able, and note the names of coworkers who witnessed the accident. Avoid giving a recorded statement to a company investigator or insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney.

How long do I have to file an industrial accident claim in Texas?

Generally two years from the date of the accident, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Waiting can also cost you access to evidence, since equipment gets repaired and incident logs can be overwritten, so it helps to have an attorney preserving records early.

Contact Our Experienced Industrial Accident Attorneys Now

Contact us for a free case evaluation to discuss the circumstances of your accident and begin working on a strategy for pursuing fair financial compensation for the losses you have suffered.

If at all possible, we will seek to settle your claim out of court through negotiation with the other side. We will not, however, hesitate to take the case to court for a full jury trial if necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for you.