When a plant or refinery explosion injures you, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP fights to hold the responsible company accountable. Our team has recovered millions for workers injured in industrial accidents throughout South Houston and Texas. If you suffered injuries in a plant accident, we can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Plant Accident Claim
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings decades of experience handling plant and refinery accidents in South Houston. Our attorneys have recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for injured workers, including a $117 million settlement in a Phillips Petroleum explosion case and a $16.5 million verdict in another industrial explosion matter. Cesar Tavares has secured $25 million for an oil and gas incident injury and $14 million for an oil and gas accident injury, along with two of the top ten verdicts in Texas in 2022. Multiple attorneys at our firm hold Texas Super Lawyers recognition, and we maintain a track record of holding negligent companies accountable for the injuries they cause. View the firm’s case results and client testimonials to learn more about recoveries in serious plant and refinery injury matters.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront—we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. Learn more about the firm’s attorneys and their experience in handling catastrophic industrial injuries.
Common Causes of Plant and Refinery Accidents in South Houston
Equipment Failures and Maintenance Issues
Many plant explosions result from poorly maintained equipment and inadequate safety systems. Companies that fail to conduct regular inspections allow corrosion and deterioration to go unchecked. When equipment breaks down or malfunctions, workers face serious injury or death. Negligent maintenance practices violate OSHA standards and create dangerous conditions that responsible companies prevent through proper upkeep and inspections. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes specific requirements for equipment maintenance and inspection under 29 CFR 1910.
Inadequate Employee Training
Workers need thorough training to recognize hazards and respond safely to emergencies. When companies fail to provide adequate safety protocols or hazard awareness training, employees work in preventable danger. Insufficient communication about risks and failure to follow OSHA regulations leave workers unprepared for the hazards they face. This negligence directly contributes to accidents that injure or kill workers who should have received proper instruction. Proper training is a fundamental duty that plant operators owe to their workforce.
Chemical and Environmental Hazards
Plant environments contain numerous chemical hazards that can trigger explosions. Combustible dust explosions occur when fine particles accumulate and ignite. Contaminated chemicals can react unexpectedly and cause violent explosions. Natural gas exposure creates fire and explosion risks. Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions (BLEVEs) happen when pressurized containers fail, releasing superheated liquid that instantly vaporizes. Companies must control these hazards through proper storage, ventilation, and safety measures. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) investigates major chemical incidents and publishes findings that inform liability analysis in refinery and plant accident cases.
Types of Injuries from Plant Explosions
Plant explosions cause severe, life-altering injuries. Workers suffer severe burns that require extensive medical treatment and leave permanent scars. Traumatic brain injuries affect cognitive function and personality. Spinal cord injuries result in paralysis and permanent disability. Amputation and limb loss change workers’ lives forever, affecting their ability to work and perform daily activities. Respiratory injuries from smoke and chemical exposure cause long-term health problems. In the worst cases, plant explosions cause wrongful death, leaving families without their loved ones and facing financial hardship.
Your Legal Options After a Plant Accident
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Texas workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and wage replacement for work-related injuries. However, workers’ compensation typically does not cover pain and suffering or punitive damages. When a company’s negligence causes your injury, you may pursue a third-party claim against the negligent party. Third-party claims allow you to recover additional damages beyond workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering, permanent disability, and punitive damages designed to punish the company for reckless conduct. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP helps injured workers understand which legal options apply to their situation and pursues maximum recovery through all available claims.
Holding Negligent Companies Accountable
To recover damages in a plant accident case, you must prove the company acted negligently. Negligence means the company owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through careless or reckless conduct, and caused your injuries as a result. Plant companies have a legal duty to maintain safe equipment, provide adequate training, follow OSHA regulations, and protect workers from known hazards. When they fail to meet these duties, they become liable for the injuries that result. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP investigates plant accidents thoroughly to identify all responsible parties and build strong cases that hold companies accountable.
What Compensation Can You Recover
Plant accident victims can recover several types of damages. Medical expenses include emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care. Lost wages cover the income you lost while recovering from your injuries. Lost earning capacity compensates you if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income. Pain and suffering damages recognize the physical pain and emotional trauma you endured. Permanent disability damages account for lasting effects that limit your activities and quality of life. In wrongful death cases, family members can recover damages for their loss and the financial support the deceased provided. Catastrophic injury cases often involve substantial damages when permanent impairment is documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a plant accident claim?
Texas law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Workers’ compensation claims have different deadlines, typically requiring notice to your employer within 30 days of the injury. Do not delay—contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP immediately to protect your rights and ensure we meet all deadlines.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a comparative negligence rule. Even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can recover $80,000. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP fights to minimize any claims of comparative negligence and maximize your recovery.
Do I need to prove the company was negligent?
Yes, you must prove negligence to recover damages in a third-party claim. You must show that the company owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. In plant accident cases, companies have clear duties to maintain safe equipment, provide training, and follow OSHA regulations. When they fail to meet these duties, and you suffer injuries, negligence is established. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP gathers evidence, expert testimony, and documentation to prove negligence and build a compelling case.
What should I do immediately after a plant accident?
First, seek medical attention for your injuries. Report the accident to your supervisor and employer as soon as possible. Document the scene with photos and videos if you can do so safely. Write down details about what happened while your memory is fresh. Collect contact information from witnesses. Preserve any equipment or materials involved in the accident. Do not sign any documents or give statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney. Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP right away so we can protect your rights and begin investigating your case.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or a verdict. This arrangement allows injured workers to pursue justice without financial risk. We handle all costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation, and we recover these costs from your settlement or verdict.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries in a plant or refinery accident in South Houston, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP can help. Call (713) 230-2200 today for a free, confidential consultation. Our attorneys will review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. We represent injured workers on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Do not delay—contact us today to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.