Working in Houston oil refineries is lucrative and rewarding, but dangerous. You are always at risk of a severe or fatal injury when employed in an oil refinery. You can suffer burns, broken bones, crush injuries, lung damage, cuts and lacerations, and more. You should receive just compensation if you’re hurt on the job in a Houston oil refinery.
Turn to us for legal help. The Houston oil refinery attorneys at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers aren’t intimidated by big oil companies and their insurers and attorneys. We will fight tenaciously for your rights and the most compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Us?
The Houston refinery accident lawyers at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers have a stellar reputation for outstanding personal injury claims and lawsuit results in Texas. Brothers Jas and Kip Brar have experience in maritime law and are here to help you through the challenges of a refinery accident injury.
Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers have an impressive record of large settlements and jury awards for oil refinery, oil field, and oil platform claims. Our past injured clients give us five-star reviews for legal skill and results.
Compensation In Houston Refinery Accidents
You suffered an injury in a Houston refinery accident. You’re in terrific pain, and you cannot work. What compensation can you receive? The potential compensation depends on many factors outlined below.
Workers’ Compensation May Be Involved
First, if you’re an employee injured on the job, you’re likely eligible for workers’ compensation. This is a no-fault system in Texas, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer was negligent. Workers’ comp typically covers medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, or rehab, and a portion of your lost income, usually around two-thirds of your average weekly pay, though there are caps.
For example, if you’re out of work for weeks or months due to burns or a broken bone, you’d get a weekly check to help cover that loss. If the injury leads to a permanent disability, like losing a limb or severe scarring, you might also get additional benefits based on the extent of the impairment. However, workers’ comp doesn’t cover pain and suffering, and the payouts are often limited compared to other options.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Is On The Table
If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation, which some in Texas opt out of, you can sue them for negligence. Our refinery accident lawyers can help with this action.
This might happen if they failed to maintain equipment or ignored safety rules, leading to your accident. Here, you can seek damages for medical bills, lost income, and even non-economic damages like pain and suffering. For instance, if a poorly maintained valve caused an explosion that left you with chronic pain, you can argue for a higher payout to reflect that ongoing struggle.
Third-Party Lawsuit Is Possible
Beyond your employer, if a third party, like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or maintenance company, contributed to the Houston refinery accident, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them, even if you’re also getting workers’ comp. These third-party claims often lead to more significant settlements because they’re not capped like workers’ comp and can include compensation for emotional distress or reduced quality of life.
Working with our proven refinery accident attorneys, you’ll obtain the most compensation in a workers’ comp or personal injury lawsuit.
Where Do Houston Refinery Accidents Happen?
Houston refinery accidents occur at various industrial facilities throughout the Houston metropolitan area, a significant hub for the oil and gas industry in the US. Some places where refinery accidents and lawsuits have happened include:
- Baytown: Located just over 25 miles east of downtown Houston, Baytown hosts the ExxonMobil Refinery, one of the largest in the country. This facility has experienced multiple incidents over the years.
- Deer Park: Situated southeast of Houston, Deer Park has several refineries, including the Shell Deer Park Refinery and the Pemex Deer Park Refinery.
- Pasadena: Near the Houston Ship Channel, Pasadena hosts the Pasadena Refining System Inc. refinery, which has had multiple fires that injured workers.
- Texas City: About 40 miles southeast of Houston, Texas City is home to the BP Texas City Refinery.
- Houston city and surrounding areas: Smaller incidents have occurred at facilities within Houston city limits or nearby suburbs. For instance, the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing facility had an accident recently that killed two workers.
There are many other oil refineries in Houston where accidents have or could happen. Some other refineries in the Houston area include:
- Petromax Refining Company
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation
- LHR Refinery
- LyondellBasell
- Black Elk Refining
- Anderson Oil
Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers are standing by to assist if you suffered an injury in an oil refinery accident.
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What Causes Refinery Accidents In Houston?
Refinery accidents in Houston stem from various factors related to the complex and hazardous nature of the oil and gas industry. Below are common causes of these devastating and sometimes fatal accidents.
Equipment Failure
A key cause is equipment failure, where aging or poorly maintained machinery malfunctions, like pipes, valves, or storage tanks. For instance, corrosion or defects can lead to leaks of flammable substances, which ignite under the right conditions. This isn’t just wear and tear; it’s often a result of management prioritizing cost-cutting over timely repairs or upgrades.
Human Error
Another major contributor is human error. Workers might mishandle volatile chemicals or operate heavy machinery improperly, especially if they’re undertrained or fatigued from long shifts—common in an industry where 12-hour days are standard. Inadequate safety training compounds this, leaving employees ill-equipped to manage risks like flammable gases or pressurized systems.
OSHA Violations
Negligence plays a significant role, too. Companies sometimes delay routine maintenance or ignore safety protocols to keep production humming, a choice that can backfire spectacularly when a spark meets a gas leak. OSHA violations—like failing to address known hazards—often surface after investigations, pointing to lax oversight or outright disregard for federal standards.
Flammable Substances
The materials involved amplify the danger. Refineries process crude oil into products like gasoline, dealing with highly flammable substances such as benzene or naphthalene. A small mistake—like overheating oil or a spark from a vehicle—can trigger fires or explosions. Houston’s concentration of refineries, handling over 2.6 million barrels daily, means these risks are ever-present.
No question that oil refinery work is hazardous. However, your employer must follow safety rules and train employees to reduce the chances of accidents. An employer or third party can be liable if you’re injured in a refinery accident.
Common Refinery Accident Injuries
Always retain a Houston refinery accident lawyer if you’re injured. The reason is that these injuries can be devastating, with high medical bills, terrible pain and suffering, and lost income. Some refinery accident injuries can occur over the years, too. Frequent injuries include:
- Burns: Exposure to fires or hot surfaces during explosions or chemical spills can cause severe thermal burns.
- Chemical burns: Contact with hazardous substances like acids or caustic materials can damage skin or tissue.
- Inhalation injuries: Breathing in toxic fumes like hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide can damage the lungs or cause poisoning.
- Fractures and trauma: Falls, equipment malfunctions, or blasts can result in broken bones or blunt force injuries.
- Cuts and lacerations: Sharp machinery or debris from explosions can cause deep wounds.
- Hearing loss: Loud noises from equipment failure or explosions can lead to temporary or permanent hearing damage.
- Eye injuries: Chemical splashes or flying particles can impair vision or cause blindness.
- Respiratory issues: Long-term exposure to dust or fumes can lead to chronic conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
Oil refinery work has risks, but you deserve fair compensation if you’re hurt. Contact a seasoned Houston refinery accident attorney for the best case outcome.
Fighting The Insurance Company After A Refinery Accident
A Houston refinery accident injury is enough of a nightmare. Additionally, you may be confronted with a difficult insurance company lowballing or denying your claim.
Injuries at oil refineries often involve complex situations, whether it’s a workers’ compensation claim through your employer or a personal injury claim against a third party like a negligent contractor or equipment manufacturer. Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts, which can lead to delays, denials or offers that don’t come close to covering your losses. However, a skilled oil refinery accident attorney can help avoid the following insurance problems.
Claim May Be Denied
One frequent problem is a claim denial. If your workers’ compensation claim gets rejected, it can be due to a missed deadline, insufficient medical evidence, or the insurer arguing your injury wasn’t work-related. Review the denial letter carefully to understand their reasoning, gather any additional proof like medical records or coworker statements, and appeal the decision. The process varies by state, but you usually have a limited window, such as 30 days in some places, to challenge it.
Lowball Settlement Offer
Another issue is getting lowballed on a settlement. Insurance adjusters might offer a quick payout that covers your initial hospital bill but ignores ongoing costs, such as rehab, lost income, or even future surgeries. After a refinery accident, you can be out of work for months or permanently unable to return to the same role, especially if you’re dealing with something severe, like a spinal injury from a fall. A too-small offer often overlooks that reality.
Insurance Claim Delays
Delays are also a headache. Insurers can drag their feet, hoping you’ll give up or settle cheap out of desperation. This is especially tough if bills pile up and you’re not getting paid. Keep a paper trail of their interaction, with dates, names, and what was said, to hold them accountable.
Third-Party Claim
If a third party is involved, like a contractor whose negligence caused an explosion, you might also face pushback from their insurer. They can argue their client wasn’t at fault or that your employer is to blame, bouncing you between parties.
All these complexities with the insurance company mean you should retain a refinery accident attorney to handle the matter. Focus on recovery, and let our personal injury attorneys handle the insurance.
What To Do After A Houston Refinery Accident
A refinery accident in Houston is a disastrous and dangerous situation. Take the steps below to ensure your health and legal options:
- Medical requirements: Obviously, go to a doctor immediately for treatment. Next, follow every step of your doctor’s treatment plan. Your health is at risk. Also, not following the treatment plan may torpedo your claim.
- Report accident: Notify your supervisor or HR department as soon as possible, ideally within 24-48 hours, unless your injuries prevent it. Follow your company’s reporting procedures and keep a copy of any report you submit. This step is critical for workers’ compensation claims and documenting the incident.
- Document the scene and your experience: If you can, gather evidence. Take photos or videos of the accident site, any equipment involved, and your injuries. Write down everything you remember—when and how it happened, who was there, and what conditions were like. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact info.
- Preserve evidence: Hold onto anything physical from the incident, like damaged clothing or gear you wore. Don’t wash or discard it, as it can be helpful later to show what happened.
- Understand your legal options: In Texas, you might have two paths depending on your situation: filing a workers’ comp claim and/or filing a personal injury lawsuit.
- Consult our Houston refinery accident attorney: Always retain a lawyer to handle a refinery accident claim. Your attorney will understand how to prove liability, if necessary, and whether to file a workers’ comp, personal injury claim, or both.
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Contact Our Houston Refinery Accident Attorneys Today
Working in a Houston oil refinery is rewarding, but serious health and safety risks exist. At Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers, our team of refinery accident injury lawyers is here to work tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Our Houston refinery injury lawyers at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers will stand up for your rights and ensure you get the most for your injuries and damages.