Plant Explosion Attorney

Have you been injured in a plant or oil refinery explosion?

Workers in the industrial industry face hazards and potential dangers every day. For those who work at these plants, the threat of a fire or explosion is a constant reality. If you or a loved one were injured in a plant explosion, the injuries and disabilities that result can be life-altering. In many cases, the accident is so severe that workers do not survive the blast and subsequent fires. Unfortunately, the U.S. has the highest number of deaths resulting from plant explosions. Studies have shown that the heat emitted from these accidents can be over one thousand degrees. For those far enough away from the blast zone to survive this, the industrial injuries can include third-degree burns, crushing injuries from falling debris and broken bones.

Common Causes of Industrial Plant Explosions

Depending of the type of industrial plant, the causes of explosions vary. In some cases, it begins as a small flame, such as a cigarette, but due to the chemicals and flammable materials, it quickly spreads out of control. In other cases, employers or employees were negligent in maintaining equipment and machinery. Lack of maintenance can lead to serious malfunctions and electrical fires. The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has set guidelines for businesses to follow. When employers failed to uphold these standards and a serious accident results, they can be liable for any injury that was caused. Employers are also responsible for providing adequate training for workers. Lack of training in operating machinery or using personal protective equipment is a violation of safety regulations and can result in a lawsuit.

Accident records may not be easily accessible, but the evidence they hold may prove shocking. Unsafe working conditions are often the cause of many of these accidents which means that they easily could have been avoided. An unfortunate statistic names America as the number one country for deaths related to explosions with a total of 197 deaths. Most commonly, when accident investigations are conducted, authorities find that the cause is lack of proper maintenance and care. Take for example the Texas City refinery explosion. This was one of the worst refinery accidents that the United States has ever seen and it was caused by failure to abide by safety regulations. This incident was a record-topping event for safety violations as well as violations for failure to make improvements after the disaster.

Machinery commonly seen at production plants and refineries is complicated and requires intense scrutiny before operations commence. Even the slightest error can lead to an accident of incredible proportions. These types of accidents commonly cause death, not just injury. Another major cause of explosions is the inadequate training of employees. Employers are absolutely responsible for providing their employees with the necessary training in order to avoid accident and injury, as well as responding accurately to it in the event that an accident does occur. While it may not seem like these types of accidents happen on a regular basis, this is simply because many do not get media coverage. Many times, the larger explosions are the only ones to reach the news. The truth is, plant and refinery explosions are fairly common and most commonly caused by negligence of some sort.

Talk to a Houston plant explosion lawyer as soon as possible!

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those injured in plant explosions and other industrial accidents. By talking to a personal injury lawyer from our team, you could receive experienced legal counsel and find out whether you have a case. Because these accidents are so commonly caused by negligence, we are passionate about getting innocent victims of that negligence the compensation that they rightfully deserve. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients and can do the same for you. We do not charge our clients unless we successfully resolve their case which means that you don't have to pay a penny up front. Our firm understands how difficult the time after an accident can be, and so we do everything possible to protect the best interests of victims and their families.

To learn more, contact a plant explosion lawyer for a free case evaluation.