Plant & Refinery Accidents San Antonio

If you were hurt in a refinery, chemical plant or other industrial facility, you have the right to understand your options for pursuing compensation. If you lost a loved one in a plant or refinery accident, you also have the right to know how to hold the responsible parties accountable. The Daspit Law Firm represents injured workers and families in San Antonio, Bexar County and across South Texas.

Insurance companies look after their profits, and employers often work to avoid liability. You deserve a legal advocate who looks after your rights and your interests.

Why Injured Workers and Families Turn to The Daspit Law Firm

Our firm has handled plant and refinery accident cases, including high-profile litigation such as the 2005 BP refinery explosion, where Attorney Daspit was a member of the trial team and worked nearly 8,000 hours on the case. Attorney Daspit is also a former insurance defense lawyer, so he understands how insurers evaluate and try to reduce claims.

We take your fight as far as it needs to go

All too often, accident victims are steamrolled by insurance companies determined to minimize or deny their claims. We prepare each case with the goal of taking it as far as it needs to go, including to court, so you are not pressured into a quick, low settlement.

Types of Plant and Refinery Accidents We Handle

Plants and refineries are extremely hazardous workplaces. Explosions and fires cause devastating harm and make headlines, but many other accidents regularly threaten the health, income and lives of workers. Whatever type of illness or injury you or a loved one suffered, you deserve an experienced injury lawyer on your side.

Common causes of plant and refinery injuries

Our firm can represent you in cases involving, but not limited to:

•         Falling objects

•         Defective equipment

•         Hot liquids and vapors

•         Accidents with machinery

•         Exposure to toxic chemicals (see our chemical exposure and toxic tort page)

•         Violations of safety standards and OSHA regulations

•         Employer or co-worker negligence

Facilities we handle

We can help if you or a loved one was hurt in an oil refinery, chemical plant, fertilizer plant, oil and gas plant, or any other type of plant or refinery.

Compensation After a Plant or Refinery Accident

If someone else's negligence left you with serious emotional and financial hardship, our San Antonio industrial accident lawyers can help you seek compensation. What is available depends on the facts of your case and the law that applies, but it may include:

•         Medical expenses, both immediate and long-term

•         Lost income

•         Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses

•         Wrongful death damages for eligible family members (see wrongful death claims)

Who May Be Responsible for Your Injury

Plant accidents often involve more than one party. Depending on the facts, responsibility may rest with an employer, a contractor, an equipment manufacturer, or a property owner. Employer coverage matters too: some Texas employers carry workers' compensation, while others are non-subscribers, and that can change which claims are available to you. If defective equipment played a role, a product liability claim may also be possible.

Our legal team conducts the research and collects the evidence needed to establish liability, building a case to help you assert your rights even when you are up against large corporations.

What to Do After a Plant or Refinery Accident

1.       Get medical care right away and follow your doctor's instructions.

2.       Report the accident to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, notice to the employer is generally due within 30 days of the injury.

3.       Write down what happened and keep names of witnesses, photos, and any equipment or chemical details you can safely record.

4.       Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with a lawyer.

5.       Contact an attorney early. Most Texas personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003, and workers' compensation claims have their own filing deadline.

Talk to a San Antonio Plant and Refinery Accident Attorney

Contact The Daspit Law Firm today if you or a loved one was hurt in an oil refinery, chemical plant, fertilizer plant, oil and gas plant, or any other plant or refinery accident. Schedule your free consultation to review your situation and start building a legal strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue my employer after a plant or refinery accident in Texas?

It depends on whether your employer is a workers' compensation subscriber. Subscribing employers are generally protected from most negligence lawsuits, although exceptions exist, such as death claims involving gross negligence. Non-subscribers may be sued for negligence. You may also have claims against third parties. A lawyer can review your facts.

Can I file a claim if I was hurt in a plant explosion but I am not an employee?

Possibly. Contractors, visitors and nearby residents may have injury claims against the facility owner or other negligent parties, depending on the facts. Workers' compensation rules typically apply to employees, so your options may differ. Speak with an attorney about your situation as soon as you can.

What is the deadline to file a plant accident lawsuit in Texas?

Most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years under Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Workers' compensation has separate notice and filing requirements, including notice to the employer within 30 days and a claim within one year. Missing a deadline can end your claim, so act early.

What if toxic chemical exposure made me sick but there was no single accident?

Occupational illness from prolonged chemical exposure can still support a legal claim. These cases often turn on medical evidence, exposure records and safety compliance, so they may take careful investigation. An attorney can help you understand which claims may apply and what evidence to preserve.

How much does it cost to talk to The Daspit Law Firm?

The initial consultation is free. During it we can review what happened, explain your legal options and answer your questions, so you can decide how to move forward without pressure.