Chemical Plant Fire Attorneys
Representing the Injured in Houston, All of Texas, Louisiana & Nationwide
Due to our extensive experience handling chemical plant accidents, we have learned much about the costs of chemical plant fires. Through our clients’ tragic stories, we learn about the emotional, physical, and financial costs of suffering a chemical fire. We discovered that when profits are prioritized above safety, employees pay the price.
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are committed to ensuring that burned workers suffer as little as possible for others’ mistakes. While we cannot wash away your emotional and physical pain, our top-rated Houston plant accident lawyers can fight for the money you need to obtain proper medical treatment and financial security.
By representing workers who endured scenarios such as the Deepwater Horizon explosion or the Texas City explosion, we have secured billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.
Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation with our chemical fire lawyers.
We can let you know if you have a case and how we can help you move forward.
Common Causes of Electrical & Chemical Plant Fires
Hazardous chemicals are frequently the cause of fires at chemical plants. While dangerous chemicals are an ignition risk on their own, when these chemicals are used with heavy machinery or other hazards, their threat-levels increase exponentially.
Chemical plant fires are caused by the following:
- Faulty wiring
- Outdated equipment
- Overheated machinery
- Poor safety protocols
- Poor employee training
- Poor storage practices
When a company fails to maintain its machines, combustible materials can ignite. Additionally, when corporations fail to train their employees, workers can make simple mistakes that result in grave consequences. Every employer must adequately instruct their employees to ensure that chemical fires do not occur. When employers provide inadequate training, they could be held liable for the ensuing disaster.
Common Injuries from Chemical Plant Fires
Chemical plant accidents can inflict more than a typical burn wound. In fact, there are thousands of chemical mixtures used in various industries, and how each of these interacts with heat will look different. Chemical plant fires can cause numerous injuries that many people do not account for when they take a job at a production plant.
Chemical fires can cause injuries such as the following:
- Burns to the lining of the lungs
- Respiratory issues
- Persistent eye irritation
- Blurry vision
- Headaches due to smoke inhalation
- Nausea from smoke complications
- Burned esophagus
- Burn injuries
As you can see, some of these injuries are external, and some are internal. Internal injuries are often more dangerous because the injured worker may not realize they've been wounded. A worker with headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues after a chemical fire may disregard symptoms of internal injury.
You should immediately go to a hospital if you have any of these symptoms after a chemical fire:
- Lightheadedness
- Throwing up
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Constant smell of smoke
- Watery eyes
- Stinging throat or lungs
- Difficulty inhaling
When someone is near a chemical fire, the smoke may coat his or her lungs. This “chemical coating” can block the lungs from receiving and breaking down oxygen. In fact, it can cause scarring in and around the tiny air sacs of the lungs. While a severe consequence of chemical fires, the symptoms of lung scarring as a result of the chemical coating may not be felt for some time. Due to chemical coatings and other problems, going in for a routine respiratory checkup is a good idea to make sure that you have not suffered internal damage from a chemical fire.
The ITC Deer Park Plant Fire
On March 17, 2019, Intercontinental Terminals Company’s (ITC) Deer Park plant caught fire. The Deer Park facility stores a variety of petrochemical liquids and gases as well as various types of fuel, bunker oil, and distillates. As the hazardous chemicals sent plumes of thick black smoke into the air, ITC officials projected that the fire could burn for 2 days, but it continued burning for more than 60 hours. Then, just as crews were gaining control over the flames, it broke through a containment wall and caused another fire. This blaze sent chemical waste into waterways that feed into the ship channel. Over 1,000 federal, state, and local workers, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to clean up the oil and sludge that spilled into the water because of the fire.
While crews are still assessing the damage to the environment and the health of the community, Harris County officials have already agreed to sue ITC for failing to prevent the massive chemical fire. Some estimates place the financial damage caused to the area’s petrochemical industry at a staggering $1 billion. Officials from the county know that this was a serious accident and are already acting to hold ITC accountable for negligent behavior.
Likewise, if you believe that you may be suffering from symptoms caused by the toxic fire, contact our ITC Deer Park plant fire lawyers today. Arnold & Itkin’s lawyers have won billions for clients and are ready to help you fight for the compensation of any medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by this frightening event.
Chemical Plant Fire FAQ
How Can a Chemical Plant Fire Harm Local Residents?
When a chemical plant fire occurs, it places workers and everyone in the area at risk. This is because hazardous substances may be released into the air, ground, and water. The people living and working near a chemical plant may need to be evacuated after a fire, and they may suffer the consequences of chemical exposure long afterward. Depending on the substance and how it is released, the aftereffects of a chemical plant fire may include an increased risk of cancer, headaches, confusion, skin and eye irritation, seizures, and confusion.
If you live or work near a chemical plant that caught fire and suspect that you’ve suffered illness or discomfort as a result, you should immediately seek medical attention.
What Are the Dangers of Chemical Fires?
When a chemical plant catches fire, it places those nearby at risk of more than burn injuries. When chemicals burn, the dozens of compounds they consist of release potentially hazardous toxins into the air. Chemical fires can cause burns to the lining of the lungs, respiratory issues that stem from ash or smoke inhalation, persistent eye irritation, blurry vision, headaches, nausea, and first-, second-, and third-degree burns.
If a person is near a chemical fire, they may sustain injuries that might not be obvious for a considerable amount of time after exposure. When smoke from a chemical fire coats a person’s lungs, it inhibits a person’s ability to breathe. In the worst cases, smoke can scar the lungs and cause permanent damage.
What Causes Chemical Fires?
Companies that store dangerous chemicals for the oil and gas industry know the risky nature of their business. Even though many plants claim to put safety first, a chemical plant fire is almost always a sign of negligence. Chemical fires frequently occur due to faulty wiring, outdated equipment, overheated machinery, poor safety protocols, poor employee training, and improper storage practices.
Companies must maintain their equipment, especially when their operations include the storage of dangerous chemicals. When they fail to prevent an accident, communities and workers are placed at risk by the serious health hazards of a chemical fire. Workers and members of the community should not be expected to cover the medical expenses, lost wages, and other challenges caused by a preventable accident.
Contact Our Chemical Fire Lawyers for a Free Consultation: (888) 493-1629
If you were injured in a chemical fire while reporting at work, it is probable that your employer is directly or indirectly to blame. Seek a claim against their negligence with the help of a chemical fire attorney from Arnold & Itkin. Our firm has helped thousands of clients who were harmed in chemical plant accidents; in fact, our firm has won billions of dollars for our clientele. Call today to learn how we can help you pursue the best results.
Call (888) 493-1629 or contact our chemical plant fire lawyers online for a free case evaluation. We're ready to listen and help.