Lafayette Plant & Refinery Accident Attorneys
Refinery Explosion & Fire Lawyers in Sulphur, Lake Charles & Beyond
When company negligence injures or kills refinery workers, Arnold & Itkin holds them accountable to help workers and their families rebuild their lives. Our Lafayette plant accident lawyers have gotten more than $10 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including record-setting results for some of the largest plant and refinery explosions in recent history. More importantly, we’ve helped our clients achieve financial security for medical care, lost wages, lowered quality of life, and more.
We’ve represented workers in accidents involving:
- Chemical plants
- Oil and gas refineries
- Turnaround accidents
- Plant explosions
- Unsafe policies
- Defective machinery
You may not even know what caused the accident or who might be responsible. All you know is that your loved one was in a serious accident that may change your lives forever. Stay focused on them; let our team worry about getting answers and making things right. We’ll fight to get you everything you need, no matter what.
Sulphur Chemical Plant Explosion at Westlake Chemical
At least five people were injured by a chemical plant explosion in Sulphur, Louisiana in September 2021. Residents in nearby Lake Charles and Hammond reported feeling the explosion from miles away. As of this writing, we’re happy to report that there were no fatalities. However, one of the workers in the explosion was left with severe burns over half of his body.
The cause of the explosion at Westlake Chemical hasn’t been uncovered. However, we do know that the plant was going through a turnaround when the explosion ignited. In our experience, explosions are tied to turnarounds because shutdown operations puts pressure on the system where there’s been corner-cutting or serious neglect.
Plant & Refinery Accident FAQ
Do I Need a Plant Injury Lawyer?
It’s far more likely that you’ll uncover what happened to you or your loved one if you enlist the help of a Lafayette refinery injury attorney. Plant and refinery accident lawyers have vast experience investigating industrial accidents, often in the chemical or oil-and-gas industry. We’re familiar with industrial procedures like turnarounds and their relationship to serious accidents. Just as importantly, we’re familiar with the ways companies attempt to cover up their mistakes via shell companies, temporary fixes, and a number of other tactics.
What Causes Plant & Refinery Accidents?
There could be any number of technical causes, but the root factor is corner-cutting. Longer shifts, fewer breaks, less down-time for maintenance, and smaller crews all make catastrophic injury or explosion more likely. A related factor is aging and defective equipment, which is a result of long-term neglect and cost-cutting as well. Every year that companies don’t invest in updating their equipment and infrastructure is another year that workers face a higher likelihood of disaster.
Who Is Liable for a Refinery Accident in Lafayette?
The plant or refinery owner is responsible in most cases. As the owner and employer, companies are responsible for maintenance, safety policy, and general risk mitigation. If there’s an accident, it will be traced back to an employer policy or decision 9 out of 10 times. In cases where the employer isn’t at fault, it’s usually a contractor or manufacturer. For instance, we recently won a case where a man was killed by a valve that was poorly repaired by a third party. In that situation, the employer was only found 10% at fault.
Speak with Lafayette Plant & Refinery Accident Lawyers for Help
When our firm takes a case, we fight to win. No matter how big the defendant, how complex the accident, or how costly the investigation, we pour everything we have into making sure our clients get what they need. It’s why people have turned to us for help after some of the worst industrial accidents in recent history.
Our past and current clients include survivors of:
- The 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion
- The 2013 Williams Olefins Geismar explosion
- The 2014 Georgia-Pacific dust explosion
- The 2018 Kuraray America explosion
- The 2021 LyondellBasell chemical leak
Our Lafayette refinery and plant accident lawyers have the resources, experience, and reputation to hold your employer accountable for what they did to your family. By leveraging our past results and our reputation for relentless advocacy, we’ll fight to make them pay for your medical care, long-term treatment, current and future lost wages, and anything else your family needs to rebuild. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your life back.
No matter what.
Call (888) 493-1629 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Let’s discuss your options and figure out how we can get what you need.
