Plant Explosion Survivor Shares His Story

On the morning of June 13, 2013, Bryan Cotton went to work as he had done so many times before. But this time was different. A reboiler tank at the plant where he worked ruptured, triggering a massive plant explosion that killed two workers and injured 167 others. Bryan was one of them.

A Normal Day That Turned Deadly

Bryan was standing on a pillar when the blast hit. The force of the explosion struck without warning, knocking him off-balance and sending him scrambling to escape.

"I was standing up on a pillar, and when the explosion happened, it caught me off guard."

In the chaos that followed, Bryan ran and jumped over broken cement, twisted pipe, and scattered debris as he fought his way to safety. Some of his injuries came from the blast itself. Others came from the desperate effort to get out.

"You don't go to work and expect an explosion to happen."

No one does. But that morning, years of deferred safety decisions ultimately led to an explosion that injured Bryan and many others: good, hard-working people who were just doing their jobs.

The Aftermath

Like many of the workers injured that day, Bryan was left dealing with the physical and financial fallout of a disaster he had no part in causing. The explosion disrupted every aspect of his life, leaving him uncertain about his future.

When Bryan reached out to Arnold & Itkin, he got the straightforward support he needed.

"They didn't promise me anything, but they said, 'We'll do the best we can do, Mr. Cotton. We will work our hardest to take care of you and your family after this is over with.'"

That honesty meant something to Bryan.

Integrity That Made the Difference

Arnold & Itkin represented over 100 workers injured in the explosion and went on to win two consecutive jury verdicts against those responsible, who had refused to settle and attempted to shield themselves from accountability through a shell company structure. Those courtroom victories helped open the door to resolution for the remaining survivors.

For Bryan, the experience was personal. He wasn't just a case number. He felt like Arnold & Itkin genuinely cared about his well-being and his family's future.

"They are great lawyers. Lawyers with integrity. To me, they mean family. They are my new friends now."

A Future He Wasn't Sure He'd Have

Looking back, Bryan is clear about what having the right team in his corner meant for him.

"I don't know what level I would be on today if I didn't have Arnold & Itkin."

He adds that having people like Arnold & Itkin is something he's grateful for every day.

"It's always good to have a good friend, but a friend like Arnold & Itkin...I would want them to be in my corner now, and I thank God for them."

Bryan's story reflects the reality faced by many industrial workers after a plant disaster. The explosion that nearly claimed Bryan’s life wasn't an accident that couldn't have been prevented. It was the result of decisions made at the corporate level, over years, that put production ahead of safety. For the workers and families who were impacted, having someone willing to fight on their behalf was the difference between being pushed aside and being made whole.

At Arnold & Itkin, we are proud to have stood with Bryan and his family.