Plant & Refinery Accident Lawyer in West Texas

Refineries, gas processing plants and petrochemical facilities handle flammable, toxic and high-pressure materials every day. When safety systems fail, workers can suffer devastating burns, lung damage, crushing injuries and death. The Daspit Law Firm represents injured plant and refinery workers and the families of those who died.

Common Causes of Plant and Refinery Accidents

•       Explosions, flash fires and vapor cloud releases

•       Exposure to toxic chemicals, hydrogen sulfide and other hazardous gases

•       Equipment failure, including corroded pipes, valves and pressure vessels

•       Falls from heights and confined-space incidents

•       Electrical accidents and arc flash

•       Lack of training, understaffing and rushed maintenance

•       Failure to follow OSHA safety standards, including Process Safety Management rules for highly hazardous chemicals

Common Injuries

•       Severe burns

•       Smoke and chemical inhalation injuries

•       Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries

•       Crush injuries and amputations

•       Hearing loss and vision damage

See also our catastrophic injuries page.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Many plant accidents involve more than one company. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:

•       The plant or facility owner

•       Contractors and subcontractors working on site

•       Equipment manufacturers and maintenance companies

•       Your employer, if it does not carry workers' compensation, see non-subscriber work injuries

If your employer carries workers' compensation, you generally receive benefits regardless of fault, but that does not always stop you from bringing a claim against a third party. See workers' compensation. Texas also has special rules for claims against property owners by contractors' employees, so an attorney should review your situation early.

What Compensation May Be Available?

•       Workers' comp benefits, where available

•       Medical expenses and future care

•       Lost wages and lost earning capacity

•       Pain and suffering, impairment and disfigurement

•       Wrongful death damages for family members, see wrongful death

What to Do After a Plant or Refinery Accident

•       Get medical help right away and report the injury to your employer in writing.

•       Do not sign statements or releases without advice.

•       Write down what happened, who was present and the condition of equipment as soon as you can.

•       Preserve photos, text messages and incident reports, and do not delete anything.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plant and Refinery Accidents

Can I sue if I was hurt at a refinery or plant?

Often yes. If your employer carries workers' comp, you may be limited to those benefits against your employer but may sue other responsible companies. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to sue the employer.

Who investigates a refinery explosion?

Agencies such as OSHA and, for some chemical incidents, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board may investigate. Their findings can be important evidence, though they do not replace a private investigation.

What is the deadline to file a claim?

Generally two years for personal injury claims. Workers' compensation has much shorter deadlines. Call right away.

What if I was a contract worker rather than an employee of the plant?

Contract workers often have different claims. You may have workers' comp through your own employer and claims against the plant owner or other contractors. Early legal advice is important.

Does the Daspit Law Firm handle chemical exposure at plants?

Yes. See our page on chemical exposure and toxic torts.