Thousands of people in the Houston area make their living working at petrochemical refineries. While these jobs often pay well, they can be extremely dangerous. In one infamous example, 15 people died, and 180 were injured inanexplosionat an oil refinery in Texas City in 2005.
If you have been injured on the job while working at an oil refinery or petrochemical refinery, you may be eligible for compensation. The attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm have the knowledge and resources to help you pursue your case.
Our Houston oil refinery and petrochemical refinery accident attorneys have more than 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims, including people who have been injured while working in the oil and gas industry. With our help, our clients have recovered millions of dollars to pay for their medical bills, lost income, and other expenses.
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If you have been injured while working at an oil or petrochemical refinery in Houston, speaking to a refinery accident attorney right away is essential. You may have costly medical bills piling up, and you may be out of work for quite some time.
A personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the money you deserve in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits you may receive. Our experienced Houston refinery accident attorneys can determine which route is best given the circumstances of the accident.
The possibility of an explosion is an ever-present threat at petrochemical refineries. Some of the common causes of oil refinery explosions include:
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The compensation you can recover after an oil refinery accident depends on many factors. Injured refinery workers will first look to the workers’ compensation system for benefits such as medical care and a portion of their lost wages. The truth is, the benefits provided under the workers’ comp system are all too often inadequate. That is why it is critical to consult with an experienced workplace accident attorney to evaluate all options including potential claims against other companies that caused or contributed to the incident, as well as whether a defective product may be involved. These are known as third-party claims and require the assistance of an attorney with the skill, experience and resources necessary to aggressively pursue the claim and win.
In addition to medical care expenses and loss of earnings, personal injury lawsuits allow you to claim and recover compensation for losses such as:
To receive workers’ compensation benefits, it is critical to promptly notify your employer so that the incident and injury can be documented and reported to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. For a third-party claim or a claim against an employer for gross negligence, in Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years which requires filing of the lawsuit not later than 2 years from the date of the incident that caused the harm. There are exceptions to this rule, which is why it is critical to immediately contact a Texas workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Csb Investigators Continue Assessment Of July 28 Explosion And Fire At Bp Texas City Refinery
If you’ve been injured in an accident at an oil refinery in Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park, Baytown or any of the surrounding areas in Texas, The Callahan Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Houston oil refinery accident attorney.
The legal team at The Callahan Law Firm handles personal injury claims in a wide range of workplace injury cases, including those that involve:
While you can file a workplace injury claim without the assistance of a lawyer, it can be a confusing and challenging process, especially if you are still recovering from injuries. An experienced attorney can provide the guidance you need and handle the details of your claim to help you get the most compensation available under the law.
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If your employer does not have workers’ compensation coverage or if a third party was responsible for your accident, having an experienced workplace accident lawyer becomes even more crucial as the attorney can help determine who is responsible, ensure a proper investigation is done and critical evidence is preserved, and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party on your behalf.
If a personal injury lawsuit needs to be filed because of a workplace accident, under Texas law, the general rule is that the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you will likely lose your right to make your claim. That is why it is important to consult with a workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine your rights when your claim must be filed, and take the necessary steps to maximize your financial recovery.
It depends. If you were hurt on the job because of the negligence of a third party (a person or company – not your employer – who caused your injury), your claim can include compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and more. If the negligence of your employer caused your injury and your employer did not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to make a claim for negligence against the employer for compensation for these same elements of damages. If your employer did have workers’ compensation at the time of your injury, a workers’ comp claim can be made for benefits such as medical care and lost wages. And if a loved one tragically passed away due to work-related injuries, your family could be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim or death benefits from workers’ compensation. In many instances, more than one of these claims can be made. A knowledgeable workplace accident attorney can determine the type of claim or claims that can be made to ensure you and your family are fully compensated under the law.The oil and gas industries keep this country going. Every day dedicated men and women go to work in oil refineries to do the jobs that keep the country’s electricity on and their cars running. Oil refinery explosions and fires, and other accidents threaten to severely injure those men and women. Sometimes, they even prevent them from coming home at all. Often, there is blame to go around for these accidents. That means that the injured deserve compensation from the negligent parties. If you or a loved one were injured or killed in an oil refinery explosion you may deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. You should know your rights and who to contact if your life was forever changed as a result of an oil refinery accident or explosion.
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The cause of these types of accidents varies but there is almost always a common thread. Somewhere along the line someone either made a mistake or sacrificed safety for convenience/profitability. Below are a few actual examples of catastrophes in the oil and gas industry and their causes.
In March 2005 a massive explosion (actually 5 separate explosions) took place at BP’s refinery in Texas City, Texas. The explosion was the deadliest in the refinery’s history leaving 15 dead and more than 100 people injured.
The investigation revealed that a 6-inch drain that led to the sewer was chained open. This could have allowed fumes to travel under the refinery and provide the fuel for the explosions.
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Additionally, in 1992 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the refinery and mandated that they equip their tower vents with a flare system. The flare system ignites potentially harmful materials before they exit the towers. In 1998 BP merged with Amoco and they appealed the decision. OSHA withdrew the complaint and the refinery continued to use the system that allowed hazardous gases to escape.
The Tesoro Anacortes Refinery was one of Washington’s worst industrial accidents in history. The accident claimed seven lives and the CSB determined that the fire was caused by the catastrophic failure of a 40-year-old heat exchanger. In the following years, the oil refinery was fined $720, 000 for safety violations. Those fines did not include the faulty unit that caused the 2010 accident.
Both of these tragedies could have been prevented. They were each caused by factors that could have been prevented. In the Texas refinery accident, the chained open sewer and the company’s unwillingness to change their out of date system could have led directly to the accident.
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The Tesoro disaster was most likely a result of the old heat exchanger. The entire accident could have been avoided if proper maintenance and replacement procedures were followed.
Accidents like these, as well as other examples, cause much pain and suffering. The families of the deceased and injured deserve compensation from those who could have taken action to avoid the tragedies. Qualified refinery accident lawyers can help the victims get the compensation that they deserve. Often, this compensation is needed to regain some semblance of their old lives.
A good lawyer will work with their client during the whole process. They will listen to the victim’s needs and advise them on the best course of action. They will also litigate on their behalf and fight for the compensation that they deserve for their pain and suffering. Additionally, refinery accident lawyers understand the intricacies of the industry and will not blame the victim. Just
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