Call the Dallas/Fort Worth plant explosion lawyers at Sellers Law Firm

Plant explosions are much more common occurrences than most people would like to think. Particularly in Texas, where refineries and chemical plants play a large role in state and local economies, countless plant workers line up and risk their lives to go to work every day, never knowing what the future might hold. 

If you work in a chemical plant or refinery, you know just how dangerous it can be, but you might not feel like the corporation you’ve risked your life for values you as much as they should after an accident. This is because they don’t. Large corporations are known for dangling lowball offers in front of their employees after catastrophic accidents to protect their bottom line, with no consideration for the true impact of the accident on you or your family’s life. 

This is where an experienced Dallas/Fort Worth plant explosion lawyer comes in. They can help protect your family and make sure that you get what you really deserve for risking your life. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a refinery or chemical plant explosion, contact the winning injury attorneys at Sellers Law Firm today at (817) 928-4222 and ask them to fight for you.

How common are industrial explosions in Texas?

Although there are refineries and chemical plants all over the country, Texas — particularly the Gulf Coast, has the highest concentration in the nation. The state’s robust energy, manufacturing, and chemical industries provide essential high-quality employment to huge amounts of hard-working Texans, but these jobs come with a significant amount of risk

Some of the most recent industrial accidents at large Texas refineries include the following:

• In 2005, The Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City experienced a series of explosions that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others. 
• In 2017, a Valero refinery in Port Arthur caught fire releasing an estimated million plus pounds of toxic emissions. 
• An ExxonMobil Baytown refinery has experienced industrial explosions on multiple occasions, leaving 66 injured in 2019 and a few catastrophically injured in 2021.

In addition to these high-profile industrial explosions, Texas has experienced numerous other plant explosions and industrial accidents that have harmed countless Texan plant workers. Because of the frequency of these accidents, large corporations and insurance companies have gotten very good at offering victims paltry sums to protect their bottom line.

If you or a loved one is hurt, even minorly, in a chemical plant explosion, make sure you discuss it with a trusted Fort Worth/Dallas plant injury attorney before agreeing to anything or accepting a settlement to make sure that you get what you really deserve.

What often causes industrial explosions?

Because industrial environments are so full of hazards, chemical plant explosions can occur for a number of reasons, some of the most common of them being:

• Equipment malfunctions. Chemical plant explosions are often triggered by crucial machinery failing to operate as intended.
• Inadequate maintenance. Insufficient or neglected maintenance practices can compromise the integrity of equipment and systems within the plant.
• Poor training or human error. Lack of proper training or human errors in handling sensitive equipment and following safety protocols can contribute to a chemical plant explosion through a simple lack of knowledge or critical mistakes.
• Flammable materials. The presence of flammable materials in industrial environments poses a significant risk, as any ignition source can lead to a rapid and violent explosion.
• Chemical reactions. Uncontrolled chemical reactions, whether due to improper mixing, unexpected interactions, or failure to adhere to safety guidelines, can have devastating consequences.

Determining the root cause of the explosion is the first step in determining the responsible parties, and is therefore also the first step in holding them accountable. Determining liability in an industrial explosion can be tricky, but your work injury lawyer in Dallas/Fort Worth should be there to investigate the specifics of your case to help determine the negligent party.

Common plant explosion injuries

Plant explosions can lead to serious injuries in both the immediate aftermath and long into the future. Because plant explosions often involve volatile chemicals and high temperatures, broken bones are often the least of your worries after being injured. Some of the most common injuries that result from plant explosions include:

• Severe burns: Plant explosions can cause severe burns as a result of exposure to intense heat and flames, leading to devastating injuries to the skin and underlying tissues.
• Respiratory issues: Inhalation of toxic fumes, smoke, or airborne particles during a plant explosion can result in respiratory issues, ranging from irritation and shortness of breath to more severe conditions such as chemical pneumonitis.
• Cancer: Exposure to carcinogenic substances released during a plant explosion may contribute to the development of cancer over time, emphasizing the long-term health risks associated with chemical exposure at industrial sites.
• Traumatic brain injuries: The force of a plant explosion along with flying debris put plant workers at risk for traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to a range of cognitive impairments, from mild concussions to severe and life-altering brain damage.

Whether your injuries are minor or life-threatening, make sure you work with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer who can fight for damages that cover the true impact these injuries will have on your quality of life long-term, not just the cost of your initial medical bills.

What to do after being involved in a chemical plant explosion

In the aftermath of a plant explosion, you will likely feel disoriented and overwhelmed. The most important thing you can do is ensure your safety by seeking the medical attention that you need before turning your mind to your personal injury case.

1. Seek medical attention. Make sure that you and others are safe before doing anything else. 
2. Evacuate the premises, and find a safe place to contact the authorities. 
3. Document injuries and damages, only after you are safe and have received initial medical attention. 
4. Keep any evidence related to the incident. You will likely be unable to take photos of the cause of the accident yourself, or retrieve witness testimonies — and you shouldn’t need to, with the size of events like chemical explosions private investigations will be carried out — but if you have anything, keep and send them to your attorney.
5. Contact an experienced Fort Worth/Dallas plant explosion lawyer to explore what legal options you have.

After getting yourself away from danger and into the medical care that you need, your injury lawyer should help navigate you through the rest of the process, including when and how to communicate with insurance providers and how to make sure you get the continuing medical care that you need.

How can chemical plant injury attorneys protect plant workers?

Chemical plant workers face unique risks in their line of work, and when an explosion occurs, their lives are put in jeopardy. Having a plant explosion lawyer by your side who specializes in protecting the rights of plant workers, communicating with insurance companies, and negotiating settlements in and out of court, can make sure that you and your family are taken care of — more so than accepting a lowball settlement that doesn’t take into account the true damages you’ve suffered.

You’re going to need the best civil attorney Fort Worth/Dallas has to offer, one who can leverage their expertise to hold negligent parties accountable, advocate for fair compensation, and help you rebuild your life after a devastating accident — one like the injury attorneys at Sellers Law Firm.

Call the Fort Worth/Dallas plant explosion lawyers at Sellers Law Firm to protect you and your family today

Plant explosions can have far-reaching consequences for your health, your happiness, and your family. If you have been involved in a plant explosion do not try to navigate its aftermath alone. An experienced and trusted Fort Worth/Dallas plant explosion lawyer can help you make sure you don’t get left behind, and advocate for justice and compensation on your behalf.

Whether you need a Dallas/Fort Worth truck accident lawyer or an attorney to represent you after a catastrophic work injury, Frank Sellers and the winning injury attorneys at Sellers Law Firm are here for you. Contact us online or call Sellers Law Firm today at (817) 928-4222 to schedule a consultation.