Workers at Houston-area oil refineries face serious risks from toxic chemical exposure every day. When equipment fails, safety protocols break down, or employers cut corners on worker protection, the results can be devastating. Exposure to hazardous substances can cause respiratory diseases, chemical burns, organ damage, and even cancer. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from toxic chemical exposure at a refinery, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP can help you pursue compensation. Our team has recovered millions for workers injured by chemical exposure. Call (713) 230-2200 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Chemical Exposure Claim
When you’ve been injured by toxic chemical exposure, you need a law firm with experience handling these cases. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP has spent decades representing workers harmed by dangerous chemicals at refineries and industrial facilities across Texas.
Our team includes attorneys who have recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for workers injured by chemical exposure. Partner Jim Hart secured a $117 million settlement in a Phillips Petroleum explosion case. He earned a $16.5 million verdict in a toxic tort matter. Partner Cesar Tavares recovered $25 million for an oil and gas incident injury. He also recovered $14 million for an oil and gas accident injury. These results reflect our work holding companies accountable for negligence and pursuing toxic tort claims on behalf of injured workers.
Our attorneys are recognized by their peers. Multiple team members appear in Texas Super Lawyers, and Cesar Tavares was named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America list for Personal Injury Litigation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which generally means you pay no upfront fees and we collect a fee only if compensation is recovered. We handle the investigation, consultation, and litigation while you focus on your recovery.
Understanding Toxic Chemical Exposure at Oil Refineries
Common Chemicals in Refinery Environments
Oil refineries process crude oil into usable products, but the process involves exposure to numerous hazardous chemicals. Workers may encounter hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas that damages the respiratory system and nervous system. Benzene, a known carcinogen, increases the risk of leukemia and other cancers with long-term exposure. Ammonia causes respiratory irritation and chemical burns to skin and eyes. Chlorine gas damages lung tissue and can be fatal at high concentrations. Toluene affects the nervous system and can cause neurological damage. Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen and causes respiratory problems. Sulfuric acid and other corrosive chemicals cause severe burns and tissue damage.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), each of these chemicals poses distinct health risks depending on the route of exposure and duration of contact. Even brief exposure to high concentrations can cause acute injury, while lower-level exposure over months or years can lead to chronic disease. Workers exposed to these hazards may develop burn injuries or other serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention.
How Chemical Exposure Happens
Chemical exposure at refineries occurs through multiple routes. Inhalation is the most common pathway, in which workers inhale toxic vapors or aerosols into their lungs. Skin absorption happens when chemicals contact exposed skin or penetrate protective equipment that has degraded or failed. Ingestion can occur when workers consume contaminated food or water at the facility. Injection injuries happen when pressurized chemicals penetrate the skin.
Exposure typically results from equipment failures, inadequate safety protocols, insufficient worker training, or poor ventilation systems. A corroded pipe may leak toxic gas. A malfunctioning safety valve fails to release pressure. Workers may not receive proper training on chemical hazards or emergency procedures. Employers may fail to provide adequate personal protective equipment or maintain equipment properly. These failures often violate OSHA workplace safety standards and can lead to plant explosions or other catastrophic incidents.
Acute exposure causes immediate symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, chemical burns, eye damage, or neurological effects. Chronic exposure develops over time as workers repeatedly contact lower concentrations of hazardous chemicals. Chronic exposure often leads to serious diseases that may not appear until years after the initial exposure. Understanding these exposure pathways is critical for establishing liability in workplace injury claims.
Health Effects and Injuries from Chemical Exposure
Acute chemical exposure can cause severe, life-threatening injuries. Workers may experience respiratory distress requiring emergency medical care. Chemical burns damage skin, eyes, and respiratory tissues. Neurological symptoms like confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures indicate serious poisoning. Some workers suffer permanent vision loss or respiratory failure from acute exposure.
Chronic exposure to toxic chemicals causes diseases that develop slowly over time. Lung disease, including chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, reduces breathing capacity and oxygen absorption. Cancer develops from exposure to carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde. Organ damage affects the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Neurological disorders cause memory loss, tremors, and cognitive decline. These conditions may qualify workers for catastrophic injury compensation.
These injuries affect your ability to work and enjoy life. Some workers can no longer perform their job duties. Others face permanent disability. The medical costs mount quickly, and lost wages create financial hardship. Beyond the economic impact, chronic illness causes pain, suffering, and emotional distress. You may have the right to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim against responsible parties. Our case results demonstrate successful recoveries for workers with serious chemical exposure injuries.
Your Legal Rights and Compensation Options
Types of Damages You Can Recover
When a company’s negligence causes your chemical exposure injury, you may pursue compensation for multiple categories of damages. Medical expenses include all costs related to treating your injury, such as emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medications, therapy, and ongoing medical monitoring. You may recover both past medical bills and the cost of future medical care your condition requires.
Lost wages cover income you lost while unable to work due to your injury. If your condition prevents you from returning to your previous job, you may recover lost earning capacity. This is the difference between what you earned before and what you can earn now. Pain and suffering compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Permanent disability benefits account for lasting impairment and functional limitations. In cases where a worker dies from chemical exposure, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims to recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Identifying Liable Parties
Chemical exposure injuries often involve multiple responsible parties. Your employer may be liable for failing to maintain safe working conditions, provide adequate training, or supply proper protective equipment, subject to applicable workers’ compensation rules. Equipment manufacturers can be held responsible if defective safety equipment or monitoring devices failed to protect you. Chemical suppliers may bear liability if they failed to warn about hazards or provided contaminated products. Contractors and third-party companies working at the facility may share responsibility for unsafe conditions.
In refinery accidents, multiple parties may share liability. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP investigates to identify potentially responsible parties and pursue claims against each one. This approach can help support a more complete recovery where liability is shared.
The Claims Process for Chemical Exposure Injuries
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP begins by investigating your chemical exposure claim. We obtain your medical records and work history to establish the connection between your exposure and your injury. We review OSHA reports and regulatory violations that may have contributed to unsafe conditions. We consult with toxicologists and medical professionals who can explain how specific chemicals are associated with certain illnesses.
We gather evidence of the exposure itself, including maintenance records, safety inspection reports, incident reports, and witness statements from coworkers. We examine the company’s safety protocols and training records to evaluate what precautions may have been lacking. We obtain professional opinions on industry standards and whether the company’s practices fell below accepted safety levels. This investigation helps build a foundation for your claim. According to the EPA’s chemical safety guidelines, proper documentation of exposure conditions is critical for establishing negligence.
Settlement vs. Trial
Many chemical exposure cases resolve through settlement negotiations, though the timeline varies. Complex cases typically take one to three years to resolve. During this time, we negotiate with the responsible parties’ insurance companies and attorneys. We present evidence of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We explain how the defendant’s negligence may have contributed to your harm.
Some cases proceed to trial if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP has attorneys with experience presenting chemical exposure cases to juries. We have secured substantial verdicts in toxic tort cases and are prepared to advocate for you in court if necessary. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, we work to pursue a favorable outcome based on the facts of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chemical Exposure Claims
What is the statute of limitations for a chemical exposure claim in Texas?
Texas law generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, chemical exposure injuries often develop years after the initial exposure. Texas law recognizes the “discovery rule,” which means the statute of limitations may not begin until you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) that your illness was caused by chemical exposure. This can extend your deadline depending on the circumstances.
Can I file a claim if my exposure happened years ago?
Yes. Many chemical exposure injuries develop slowly over time. You may not realize your illness was caused by workplace exposure until years later when a doctor makes the connection. The discovery rule may apply in this situation by allowing claims even when exposure occurred long ago. However, you should contact an attorney promptly once you suspect your illness relates to chemical exposure, as the statute of limitations may begin running from the date of discovery. Our Houston catastrophic injury lawyers can evaluate your specific timeline.
What if I’m still working at the refinery?
You can still file a claim even if you continue working at the facility. However, you should document your ongoing exposure and any worsening symptoms. Consider reporting the hazardous conditions to your employer and OSHA. If you continue working in the same environment, your condition may worsen, which may affect both your health and your claim. Discuss your situation with an attorney to understand your options.
How do you prove my illness was caused by chemical exposure?
Proving causation requires medical and scientific evidence. Your medical records must document your diagnosis and symptoms. Testimony from toxicologists explains how exposure to specific chemicals is associated with your illness. Medical professionals evaluate the dose, duration, and route of exposure relevant to your condition. We present evidence that you were exposed to those chemicals in those quantities for that duration. We show that your symptoms are consistent with known effects of the chemical exposure. Together, this evidence is used to support a causal connection. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides valuable research on chemical exposure causation.
What is the difference between workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim?
Workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. It covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages but typically does not compensate for pain and suffering. In many cases, you cannot sue your employer for workers’ compensation injuries. A personal injury claim, by contrast, requires proving negligence but may allow recovery for a broader range of damages, including pain and suffering. You may be able to pursue both workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim against third parties responsible for your exposure.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP works on a contingency fee basis. You typically pay no upfront fees, and we collect a fee only if compensation is recovered. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict obtained. This arrangement allows injured workers to pursue claims without paying out-of-pocket legal fees at the start. Contact our Houston office to discuss your case.
How long does a chemical exposure case typically take?
Chemical exposure cases often take one to three years to resolve. The timeline depends on the severity of your injury, the number of potentially liable parties, the amount of investigation required, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. We keep you informed throughout the process and work efficiently while developing your claim. Our team of experienced attorneys has handled hundreds of complex injury cases.
What should I do if I’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals?
First, seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms. Tell your doctor about your chemical exposure and ask them to document it in your medical records. Second, document the exposure. Write down the date, time, location, chemicals involved, and any witnesses. Third, report the hazardous condition to your employer and OSHA. Fourth, preserve evidence by keeping all medical records, safety reports, and communications about the exposure. Finally, contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a free consultation. Call (713) 230-2200 to discuss your situation with an attorney.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered a chemical exposure injury at a Houston-area oil refinery, time is important. Texas law limits how long you can wait to file a claim. The sooner you contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, the sooner we can begin reviewing your case and discussing your options. We offer free consultations with no obligation. Call (713) 230-2200 today to speak with an attorney about your chemical exposure claim. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so you typically pay no upfront fees and only owe a fee if compensation is recovered. Our Houston office is ready to help you pursue justice.