Plant and refinery explosions in the Houston area pose serious risks of injuries and fatalities. When catastrophic explosions occur at chemical plants, refineries, or industrial facilities, workers and nearby residents face life-altering consequences. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents injured workers, families who lost loved ones, and others harmed by plant and refinery explosions throughout the Houston area. Our attorneys understand the legal and technical issues involved in these cases and work to hold negligent companies accountable. If you or a family member suffered injuries in a plant explosion, contact (713) 230-2200 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Plant Explosion Case
When you suffer injuries in a plant or refinery explosion, you need an attorney with experience handling catastrophic industrial accidents. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings decades of combined experience representing clients injured in workplace explosions, chemical releases, and industrial disasters.
Our team includes attorneys who have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in oil and gas incidents, workplace accidents, and product liability cases. Cesar Tavares secured a $25 million settlement for an oil and gas incident injury and a $14 million settlement for an oil and gas accident. Jim Hart handled the Phillips Petroleum explosion case, resulting in a $117 million settlement, and obtained a $16.5 million verdict in another work-related injury case. Alma Tavares brings 25 years of experience handling catastrophic injuries and product defects and has received recognition from national trial lawyer organizations.
We investigate plant explosions, working with engineers and safety professionals to identify what went wrong and who may bear responsibility. Our firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions.
Common Causes of Plant and Refinery Explosions
Plant and refinery explosions rarely happen by accident. Many result from negligence, inadequate maintenance, safety violations, or failure to follow industry standards. Understanding what causes these explosions helps establish liability in your case.
Equipment failures and poor maintenance create dangerous conditions that lead to explosions. When companies fail to inspect, repair, or replace aging equipment, pressure vessels can rupture, pipes can corrode, and systems can malfunction. OSHA violations and safety regulation breaches frequently contribute to industrial explosions, including failures in managing flammable gases, combustible dust, lockout/tagout procedures, hazard communication, and respiratory protection. Operator error and inadequate training can contribute to explosions when workers lack proper instruction on handling hazardous materials or operating equipment. Chemical contamination and improper storage of reactive chemicals can trigger violent reactions. Combustible dust accumulation in facilities handling grain, metals, or other materials creates explosion hazards that companies are expected to control. Pressure vessel failures occur when equipment is not properly maintained, inspected, or designed for the pressures it contains.
Types of Injuries from Plant Explosions
Plant and refinery explosions generate extreme heat, force, and toxic fumes that cause severe injuries. Victims often suffer multiple injuries simultaneously, which may result in permanent disability or death.
Severe burns and thermal injuries affect workers closest to the explosion. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, skin grafts, and long-term care. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result from the blast force and impact injuries, causing cognitive problems, memory loss, and personality changes. Spinal cord injuries and paralysis can occur when the explosion’s force damages the spine, potentially affecting mobility. Amputations and limb loss may happen when workers are caught in machinery or exposed to extreme heat. Broken bones and fractures can affect multiple body parts from the blast impact. Lung damage and respiratory injuries may develop from inhaling toxic fumes, smoke, and chemical vapors. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect survivors who witnessed the explosion and lost coworkers. Wrongful death claims arise when explosions kill workers or nearby residents.
Who Is Liable for Plant and Refinery Explosions
Establishing liability in plant explosion cases requires identifying all parties whose negligence contributed to the accident. Multiple defendants often share responsibility.
Plant and refinery operators bear primary responsibility for maintaining safe facilities and following safety regulations. Equipment manufacturers can be liable if they designed or manufactured defective equipment that failed and caused the explosion. Contractors and subcontractors working at the facility may be responsible if their negligence contributed to the explosion. Maintenance companies hired to service equipment can be liable if they failed to perform proper inspections or repairs. Safety supervisors and management are responsible for enforcing safety protocols and training workers. Third-party negligence factors may include failures by inspectors, engineers, or other professionals who should have identified hazards.
Our attorneys investigate to identify potentially liable parties and pursue compensation from each one where appropriate. We review case results to demonstrate our track record of success in holding negligent parties accountable.
Compensation Available for Explosion Injuries
Plant explosion victims may be entitled to compensation for losses caused by the accident. Damages in these cases typically include multiple categories.
Medical expenses cover treatment related to your injuries, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical needs. Lost wages and lost earning capacity compensate for income lost during recovery and reduced earning ability if injuries prevent a return to prior work. Pain and suffering damages address the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by injuries. Disfigurement and scarring compensation addresses permanent visible injuries that affect appearance and self-image. Punitive damages may be available when a company’s conduct was grossly negligent or reckless, intended to punish the defendant, and deter similar conduct. Wrongful death claims may provide compensation to families who lost a loved one in the explosion, including funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship, where permitted by law.
What to Do After a Plant or Refinery Explosion
Taking the right steps immediately after an explosion can protect your health and help preserve your legal claim.
Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor. Some injuries develop over time, and medical records help document the connection between the explosion and your injuries. Document the scene by taking photos and videos of the explosion site, your injuries, and any visible hazards. Collect witness information from coworkers and others who saw the explosion. Report the incident to OSHA, which investigates serious workplace accidents and violations. Preserve evidence by keeping all medical records, photographs, clothing, and other items related to the explosion. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights and begin the investigation. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters or company representatives without legal counsel, as anything you say may be used against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a plant explosion lawsuit?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the injury involves a third party (not your employer), the deadline may differ. If a loved one died in the explosion, the family generally has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Do not delay contacting an attorney, as evidence can be lost and witnesses’ memories fade over time.
Can I sue my employer for a plant explosion injury?
Texas workers’ compensation law generally prevents you from suing your employer directly for workplace injuries. However, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. You may also pursue a third-party lawsuit against equipment manufacturers, contractors, or other parties whose negligence contributed to the explosion. In some situations, you may be able to bring a claim against your employer if they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance or under other limited exceptions.
What makes a plant explosion case valuable?
Several factors affect the value of your case. The severity of your injuries influences medical expenses and pain and suffering damages. The degree of negligence and liability may affect whether punitive damages are available. The strength of evidence showing what caused the explosion can influence settlement negotiations. Your age and earning capacity affect lost wage damages. The number of potentially liable defendants may impact total recovery. Cases involving permanent disability, disfigurement, or death often result in higher settlements and verdicts, depending on the circumstances.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents plant explosion victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. If your case resolves through settlement or trial, our fee comes from the recovery obtained. This arrangement allows injured workers to pursue a claim without paying legal fees upfront.
What if I was partially at fault for the explosion?
Texas follows a comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the explosion. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you recover $100,000 but were 20% at fault, you receive $80,000. Our attorneys investigate to address and challenge claims that you contributed to the accident.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Free Consultation
If you or a family member suffered injuries in a plant or refinery explosion in Houston, consider seeking legal guidance. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Call (713) 230-2200 today. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss potential next steps. There is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.