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.

FAQS Regarding Plant & Refinery Accidents

Can I sue after a refinery or plant explosion in Texas?

Yes, in most situations. If your employer is a non-subscriber that carries no workers' compensation, you can sue that employer directly for negligence.

If your employer does carry workers' comp, you generally cannot sue them, but refineries and chemical plants are staffed by layers of contractors, so you can usually bring a third-party claim against the plant owner, the general contractor, a maintenance or turnaround contractor, or another company on site whose crew caused the release or ignition.

You may also have a product liability claim against the maker of a failed valve, pump, gasket, or piece of protective equipment. Call The Daspit Law Firm at (888) 273-1045 for a free case review.

Who is liable for a plant or refinery accident?

Liability depends on who controlled the hazard, and it is frequently shared. Potentially responsible parties include the plant or refinery owner, the operating company, the general contractor, specialty contractors performing turnaround or maintenance work, staffing agencies, and equipment manufacturers.

The page above already identifies the usual failures behind these incidents: negligence by a coworker or contractor, inadequate supervision, deteriorated equipment, failure to implement safety regulations, and insufficient crew training. Our attorneys map the full contractor structure on site, because each company carries its own insurance and each may owe you compensation.

What injuries are common in refinery and chemical plant accidents?

Refinery and plant incidents produce some of the most severe injuries in any industry. We handle claims involving thermal and chemical burns, blast and concussive injuries, traumatic brain injury, crush injuries and amputations, falls from height, injuries from scalding hot liquids or vapors, and respiratory damage or long-term illness from toxic chemical exposure.

Many of these injuries are catastrophic, meaning they permanently disable or disfigure the worker, and those cases require future medical care and lost earning capacity to be valued properly rather than settled early.

What should I do after being injured at a plant or refinery?

Get emergency medical care first, and make sure the injury is documented as work related. Report it to your supervisor in writing and request a copy of the incident report. If you are able, photograph the equipment and the area, and write down the names of everyone who was on the unit with you.

Do not give a recorded statement to a company investigator, safety consultant, or insurance adjuster, and do not sign a release. Then call us at (888) 273-1045. We visit clients in the hospital and consultations are free 24 hours a day.

What compensation can I recover for a plant accident?

You may recover past and future medical treatment, including burn reconstruction and long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to plant work. You may also recover noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

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, lost financial support, and loss of love and companionship.

How long do I have to file a refinery accident claim?

Generally two years from the date of the accident, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Claims for occupational illness caused by long-term chemical exposure may run from the date the illness was diagnosed or reasonably discoverable.

Waiting is costly for a different reason: plants repair damaged units quickly and control room data, maintenance logs, and unit-specific records can be overwritten. Contact us early so we can preserve them.

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.