Refinery Accident Lawyer

When unfortunate accidents occur in refineries, it’s crucial to seek the assistance of specialized Houston refinery accident lawyers. Texas, especially the Houston area, is renowned for its thriving oil and gas industry, employing numerous workers. However, this industry comes with risks. The expectation is that companies adhere to stringent safety standards for the well-being of their workforce. Regrettably, some entities prioritize financial gains over ensuring a secure working environment.

If you find yourself dealing with injuries or the loss of a loved one due to a refinery accident or plant explosion, don’t hesitate to connect with the adept Houston refinery injury attorneys at Hilda Sibrian®. With a deep commitment to your well-being, our Houston refinery injury attorneys are prepared to delve into all aspects contributing to your accident. Our goal is to seek just compensation from all parties involved. Take the first step towards justice by contacting us now for a comprehensive and complimentary review of your case.

Explosions and Refinery Accidents in Texas

When delving into the industrial history of Texas, some of the most notable explosions and refinery accidents stand out as poignant reminders of the inherent risks in the state’s thriving industrial sector. Texas, renowned for its robust oil and gas industry, has been witness to several significant events that have reverberated through time.

Some of the most notable are:

Phillips explosions

Multiple explosions occurred at the Phillips 66 plastics factory in Pasadena. The first explosion registered 3.5 on the Richter scale. Over 310 people were injured, and 23 workers lost their lives in the explosions.

Texas City refinery explosion

An explosion took place in Texas City after refinery pipes wore out, leading to gas leakage. A hydrocarbon vapor cloud ignited, resulting in an explosion that injured 180 people and claimed the lives of 15 others.

Fires at ExxonMobil Plant

A fire broke out at ExxonMobil facilities in Baytown. Four individuals were injured in the incident. In a separate incident, another fire occurred, leaving 40 people injured. An underlying explosion was responsible for that fire.

Explosion at Pasadena Industrial Plant

At least 20 people were injured in a fire and explosion at the Pasadena Kuraray America facilities after a highly flammable gas leaked from the plant’s production system.

Lyondell Basell Chemical Leak

What Are the Common Causes of Texas Refinery Accidents?

Refinery accidents can have devastating consequences, ranging from minor injuries to severe, catastrophic outcomes, negligence-related deaths, or even environmental damage. They can also result in significant economic losses for all involved parties, their families, and the companies. While some accidents may be the result of conditions beyond human control, many can be attributed to negligence and error by one or more individuals. Here, we list some details about common causes that lead to refinery accidents.

Failure to adhere to state and federal workplace safety laws: Refineries are subject to a series of safety regulations imposed by both state and federal authorities. Failing to comply with these laws, as well as having inadequate safety protocols, insufficient inspections, or improper handling of hazardous materials, can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Inadequate training: Insufficient or inadequate training for refinery workers implies an increased risk of accidents. Refinery operations involve complex processes and handling hazardous materials. Therefore, employees must be well-trained to understand risks, use protective equipment, and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Superficial or poor training can lead to errors or improper handling of materials or equipment, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Negligent hiring: Hiring individuals lacking the necessary skills, experience, or knowledge for work in a refinery can contribute to accidents. Proper background checks, as well as verifying skills and examining candidates’ experience, are essential steps to ensure a safe and trained workforce. Negligent hiring practices can result in inexperienced or incompetent employees operating critical equipment, fostering a potential accident.
Incorrect storage of hazardous materials: Refineries handle and store various hazardous materials, including flammable gasses and liquids. Failing to store these materials correctly (incorrect segregation, inadequate labeling, or inappropriate containers) can lead to leaks, spills, fires, or explosions. Inadequate storage practices can result from a lack of adherence to safety protocols or a failure to implement appropriate measures.
Inadequate equipment maintenance: Refinery equipment requires constant maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation. Ignoring equipment maintenance, avoiding inspections, or postponing repairs can lead to equipment failures and leaks that can escalate into accidents. Inadequate maintenance practices can compromise the integrity of critical components and increase the risk for workers.
Defective equipment: The use of defective or faulty equipment in refinery operations can pose a significant hazard. Factory defects, inadequate quality control, or failure to identify and replace defective parts can lead to equipment failures, leaks, or other errors. Regular inspections, quality review measures, and replacement of defective equipment are essential to minimize the risk of accidents due to this cause.

What Are the Common Types of Oil and Gas Accidents?

Industrial accidents in the oil and gas sector can have severe consequences, including explosions, fires, falls, and exposure to toxic substances. Here, we will explain the most common types of industrial accidents:

Explosions: Petroleum and gas are highly flammable substances, posing a significant risk of explosions for the industry. These explosions can occur due to various factors, such as equipment malfunctions, leaks, improper handling of volatile materials, or ignition sources. The rapid combustion of flammable substances can lead to powerful explosions, causing extensive infrastructural damage, injuries, or worker fatalities and potentially affecting nearby communities as well.
Fires: Fires can occur in refineries and other oil and gas facilities, representing a significant risk for workers. Fires can be triggered by various factors, including equipment failures, short circuits, chemical reactions, or human errors. The presence of flammable materials and the high temperatures involved in oil and gas operations can contribute to the rapid spread of a fire. Workers encountering a fire may suffer severe burns, respiratory injuries from smoke inhalation, and other injuries while attempting to control the fire or evacuate.
Falls: Working at heights is commonly a requirement in the oil and gas industry, involving construction, maintenance, and inspection activities on offshore platforms and elevated structures. Falls from heights can occur due to inadequate fall protection measures, improper use of protective equipment, structural failures, or human errors. These falls can result in severe injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or even death.
Exposure to Toxic Substances: Oil and gas operations involve handling various types of chemicals and substances that can be toxic to human health. Workers can be exposed to these hazardous materials through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Exposure to toxic substances can lead to respiratory problems, dermatological conditions, chemical burns, organ damage, or various long-term health effects. Failing to implement appropriate safety measures, inadequate training, or a shortage of personal protective equipment can increase the risk of incidents involving exposure to toxic substances.

Employees in the oil and gas industry need to prioritize safety by implementing strict protocols, providing comprehensive training, ensuring proper equipment maintenance, and reinforcing adherence to safety regulations. Regular inspections, hazard assessments, and the appropriate use of safety measures can help mitigate the risks associated with these common types of industrial accidents.

Free Consultations

Injury Attorney Hilda Sibrian believes that everyone deserves diligent and capable legal representation to improve their chances of recovery after an accident. If you or a loved one were injured because of someone else’s fault or wrongdoing, call us. We’re here for you 24/7.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in Plant and Refinery Accidents?

Plants and refineries have the potential to cause a range of severe and even catastrophic injuries. Here, we describe some of the most common types of injuries that can occur in these accidents:

Broken Bones: The force and impact of an accident can result in fractures or broken bones. These injuries can vary in severity, from simple fractures to complex multiple fractures that may require surgery, immobilization, and rehabilitation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Accidents involving explosions, falls, or being struck by heavy objects can lead to traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, resulting in long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Severe Burns: Plants and refineries often deal with flammable substances and accidents that can lead to fires and explosions. These incidents can cause severe burns, requiring extensive medical care, including skin grafts, surgeries, and constant care.
Amputations: Machinery and equipment present in plants and refineries can pose a significant risk. In some cases, individuals may suffer a traumatic amputation, where a part of the body is partially or completely severed. These injuries can have a profound impact on the victim’s daily functioning and may require extensive rehabilitation (and sometimes prosthetics).
Spinal Cord Injuries: Accidents involving falls from heights, being struck by objects, or machinery errors can sometimes cause spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result in total or partial paralysis, affecting the person’s motor and sensory functions. Those who suffer such injuries may require lifelong medical care, as well as support devices and rehabilitation.
Hearing Loss: Plants and refineries typically involve high levels of noise. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise without any hearing protection can cause hearing loss or other auditory problems.
Vision Loss: Accidents involving chemical spills, explosions, or exposure to hazardous substances can cause severe eye injuries, including vision loss or permanent damage to the eyes.
Crush Injuries: Heavy machinery and equipment, as well as structural collapses, can lead to crush injuries, where body parts are compressed or crushed. These injuries can result in fractures, internal damage, and soft tissue injuries.
Respiratory Injuries: Inhalation of toxic chemicals, gasses, or exposure to hazardous substances can cause respiratory injuries, including pneumonitis, lung damage, and respiratory distress.

These injuries can vary in severity, and victims may experience a combination of several of them. Seeking immediate medical attention after a plant or refinery accident is crucial. Additionally, consulting with an experienced oil refinery accident lawyer in Houston from Hilda Sibrian® can help protect your rights and pursue appropriate compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Liability for Plant and Refinery Accidents

When it comes to plant and refinery accidents, determining liability is a crucial aspect of securing a successful claim. Your Houston oil and gas refinery injury lawyer will carefully examine the circumstances surrounding the accident to identify the parties responsible for your injuries. Here, we explain some of the potential parties that may be liable for a refinery accident, fire, or explosion.

Employer: The employer has a legal obligation to provide a workplace that is safe for employees. If it can be shown that the employer knew about any hazards but failed to take appropriate action, they may be responsible for their workers’ injuries.
Manufacturer of Defective Equipment: If the accident was caused by defective equipment, such as tools or machinery, the manufacturer of that piece of equipment may be responsible. This includes situations where the equipment failed or became dangerous due to its design or factory defects.
Manufacturer of Equipment or Materials with Inadequate Safety Labeling or Warnings: If the accident was caused by the lack of necessary safety labels or warnings on equipment or materials, the manufacturer must be held responsible for their negligence in failing to properly indicate or warn.
Trucking Companies: In some cases, refinery or plant accidents involve trucks used for transportation or other purposes. If a truck operated by a company is found to be at fault for the accident, that company should share responsibility for the injuries caused.
Contractors or Subcontractors: If the accident resulted from negligent construction or maintenance in the plant or refinery, contractors and subcontractors involved in the project may be responsible for failing to meet safety standards and regulations.

Liability in plant and refinery accidents may involve multiple parties. Your Houston industrial accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances to determine the individuals or entities responsible for your injuries. By establishing liability, your refinery accident lawyer can build a strong case to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

Compensation after a Refinery Accident

Refinery accidents have serious consequences, resulting in significant injuries or even deaths. In these cases, victims and their families have the right to seek compensation to cope with their grieving processes without worrying about finances. When filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim in refinery accidents, there are various types of compensation that can be obtained. For example:

Medical Expenses: Compensation that can cover all current and future expenses resulting from an accident. This includes hospitalization costs, surgeries, medical consultations, rehabilitation, therapy, medications, medical equipment, and transportation expenses related to medical treatment.
Lost Income: If the accident has caused you to miss work, resulting in a loss of income, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you would have earned during the recovery period. Additionally, if injuries have long-term or permanent effects on your ability to work, this compensation also covers future lost income.
Disability, Disfigurement and Scars: Compensation can be sought for any permanent disability or disfigurement resulting from the accident. This includes physical disabilities, loss of limbs or their function, significant scars, as well as the emotional impact and the person’s diminished quality of life as a result.
Pain and Suffering: Victims of refinery accidents typically endure physical pain, emotional stress, mental distress, and a decrease in their quality of life. Compensation can be sought for these intangible damages to address their pain, suffering, and emotional hardships.

If a loved one has lost their life in a tragic refinery accident, compensation for wrongful death can include:

Lost Inheritance: Compensation for the benefits that surviving family members would have inherited from the victim.
Lost Benefits: This includes the value of benefits such as pensions, insurance coverage, and other benefits that the family would have received if the victim had survived.
Lost Care, Maintenance, Services, Support and Guidance: Compensation can cover the loss of contributions the victim made in terms of care, maintenance, services, support, and guidance to provide for their family.
Lost Companionship, Love, Comfort and Society: Emotional and relational losses resulting from the death of a loved one can be addressed through compensation. This can be understood as the loss of companionship, love, comfort, and guidance that the victim could have provided to their family.
Emotional and Mental Distress: The grieving process can cause significant mental and emotional distress for the victim’s family. Compensation can be sought to address the suffering, pain, and emotional distress resulting from the loss.

By contacting our Hilda Sibrian® Houston refinery explosion legal experts, we can provide detailed guidance on the compensation you are entitled to receive. Seeking compensation can help alleviate the financial burden caused by the negligent parties involved in the accident and provide a measure of justice for the harm you have suffered.

What is the Time Limit for Refinery Accident Claims?

The time limit, or statute of limitations, for refinery accident claims can vary depending on the type of claim and jurisdiction in the following ways:

Worker’s Compensation Claim: In many states, including Texas, workers’ compensation laws govern claims for injuries or illnesses in the workplace. These laws typically require employees to report their injuries or illnesses to their employer within a certain timeframe, usually 30 days. Additionally, there is a time limit to file a worker’s compensation claim, typically within one year from the date of the accident or the onset of the illness. It is important to report these injuries correctly and make the formal claim within the designated time limits to preserve the right to benefits.

Jones Act Claims: For maritime workers in the oil and gas industry, considered seamen under the Jones Act, legal protections are provided. Under the Jones Act, seamen have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim seeking compensation for injuries caused by their employer’s negligence or the vessel’s malfunction. This timeframe gives seamen additional time compared to traditional workers’ compensation for seeking remedies for injuries incurred while performing their duties.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims: If a refinery accident results in personal injury or wrongful death due to negligence, separate claims can be made against the responsible parties. In these cases, including claims based on negligence, premises liability, or product liability, the statute of limitations typically dictates the timeframe within which these claims must be filed. In many jurisdictions, including Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims for refinery accidents is two years from the date of the incident. It is important to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to understand the deadlines and file claims in a timely manner.

After a plant or refinery accident occurs, and the immediate danger is neutralized, the following steps are typically taken:

Deep Investigation: Various agencies, such as the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), OSHA, and local authorities, conduct an extensive investigation to determine the causes of the accident.

To ensure that your rights and interests are protected, it is essential to have a dedicated Houston industrial accident attorney like Hilda Sibrian®, who can:

Conduct an independent investigation: Hilda Sibrian® chemical plant injury lawyers in Houstons specialize in refinery accident cases and are committed to advocating for victims. Our experienced attorneys conduct an independent investigation to gather vital evidence.
Collaborate with experts: We collaborate with industry experts and other specialists to analyze the obtained evidence and complement our extensive knowledge of the oil and gas sector.
Determine the root cause: Through meticulous analysis, we determine the primary cause of the accident, whether it involves fire, explosions, electrical burns, collateral injuries, or devastating consequences for families who have lost a loved one.

Once the causes have been determined, our Houston refinery accident attorneys proceed with the following actions:

Build a strong claim: Employing a strategic approach, we build a robust case for you, emphasizing the damages you have suffered and pointing out the responsible parties.
Pursue maximum compensation: Our dedicated team tirelessly pursues the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses, seeking to provide you with the financial resources necessary for your recovery.

At Hilda Sibrian®, we prioritize your well-being and fight for justice in the following ways:

Advocating for your rights: Throughout the legal process, we provide compassionate support and advocate for your rights to ensure that the responsible parties pay for their negligence.
Rebuilding your life: Our ultimate goal is to help you rebuild your life after a refinery accident