The state of Texas has many refineries and plants, and unfortunately the Gulf Coast’s petrochemical corridor leads the nation in explosions. Every year, workers and nearby residents are at risk. If you or a loved one has been involved in one of these accidents, then it’s essential that you contact a Texas refinery explosion lawyer as soon as possible.
The challenge of these types of injury claims is that there are often multiple parties that might be found liable in the case. Not only will an experienced attorney look at the facility operator, but the investigation will also look at others who might have been involved: contractors, equipment manufacturers, and even a non-subscriber employer might hold partial responsibility in the accident.
Why Texas Leads the Nation in Refinery and Plant Explosions
Here in Texas, we have an area that is known as the Corpus Christi “Refinery Row” corridor. In this geographic area, there is a concentration of aging equipment and high-hazard working conditions. Additionally, Brownsville is home to a port that is a newer, growing risk zone.
Both of these areas are home to heavy industrial density, with a large workforce supporting the operations. This combination creates the perfect conditions for more accidents and more people who are affected when something goes wrong.
The Most Common Causes of Refinery and Plant Explosions
Talk to a Corpus Christi refinery accident attorney, and you can learn about the most common causes of explosions in refineries and plants in this area. Some of these issues include:
- Outdated equipment
- Aging infrastructure
- Process safety failures
- Pipeline strikes
- Contractor or third-party negligence
- Poor maintenance schedules
- Deferred equipment repairs
When an incident occurs, a thorough investigation is needed as soon as possible to determine any and all issues that contributed to the explosion and accident.
Who Is Liable for a Pipeline Explosion in Texas? How to Identify Every Responsible Party
Every explosion incident is unique, which is why there is never a one-size-fits-all approach to the claim. The first thing you need to do is call a plant explosion lawyer in Texas who can offer personalized recommendations and help with a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties.
Some of the parties that might be found liable for the explosion include:
- Facility Operator: The first place to look at liability is with the facility operator, because they most often carry the primary responsibility for these types of cases.
- Other Contractors: Other parties that could share liability include both contractors and subcontractors who were involved.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Additionally, it’s a good idea to determine whether equipment failure was caused by a manufacturer’s error or oversight.
The goal of the investigation is to identify what caused the failure and explosion; then, the legal team can determine who was responsible for that failure. This process can be quite intensive because it’s necessary to start by identifying every party in the chain, especially since the liability held by the facility operator doesn’t usually cover the full extent of what happened in the explosion.
Why Workers’ Comp Is Just One Piece of Compensation
If you have a Texas non-subscriber employer explosion claim, then workers’ compensation may or may not be involved. For example, if the employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, then the door is open for accident victims to pursue a direct lawsuit. The settlement can be much larger in this situation compared to the caps that are within workers’ comp payouts.
Also, talk to a Texas refinery explosion lawyer if you were near a refinery or LNG facility and injured on a vessel, dredge, or at a port. In this situation, it’s possible that the Jones Act might apply as a separate option to pursue.
What Compensation Is Available for Victims in a Refinery Explosion
It’s difficult to put an exact number on available compensation, because the numbers vary from one case to the next. An experienced Texas refinery explosion lawyer can help you build a strong case and negotiate all available compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (in some cases)
- Future medical costs
- Diminished earning capacity
A skilled legal team will gather evidence, including medical documentation and proof of how the injuries are impacting the quality of your life now and in the future. Then, this information is used to show why you deserve fair compensation.
What to Do After a Refinery or Plant Explosion
The highest priority after the explosion is to seek medical care for your injuries. Immediate treatment is critical to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Also, make sure that you are documenting the injuries, treatments, and anything related to the accident.
Additionally, it’s important to call a refinery accident attorney as soon as possible. Keep in mind that the evidence at an industrial site can change or disappear quickly, which is why you need a legal team to start the investigation without delay.
FAQs
Does workers’ compensation stop me from suing my employer after an explosion?
Not necessarily. If you are employed by a non-subscriber and they don’t carry workers’ comp, then you might have grounds to sue directly instead of filing a workers’ comp claim. An experienced attorney can help you determine the best way to move forward with your claim.
What is a non-subscriber employer, and why does it matter for my claim?
If you are working for a non-subscriber employer, then it means that they have opted out of the Texas workers’ compensation system. As a result, many of the legal protections have been removed, which means that you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against an employer.
What are the most common injuries from refinery and plant explosions?
Injuries from refinery and plant explosions are often severe and life-altering. Some of the most common injuries include burns, respiratory damage, toxic exposure, and traumatic brain injury. Many of these injuries result in long-term disability.
Injured in a Refinery or Plant Explosion? Get Answers Now from An Experienced Lawyer
Your quality of life is on the line after an explosion, and the evidence can disappear quickly. In addition to seeking medical care as soon as possible, call an experienced Texas refinery explosion lawyer for legal support.
Our team at The Green Law Firm is here to help with your recovery. Contact us to discuss your case and determine the ideal way to move forward based on your unique situation: (956) 542-7000.
