Chemical Spill Attorneys
Helping Victims of Serious Chemical Spills in Texas & Nationwide
If there is a chemical spill, there must be safe cleanup procedures in place to ensure that accident and injury do not ensue. For those who work at a chemical plant, the employer is responsible for maintaining a safe working atmosphere. Therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that there is some clean up procedure in place to be followed in the event of a chemical spill. Most companies have a spill response plan set up, so it is important that all employees are fully informed as to how to respond in these situations.
What To Do in the Event of a Toxic Spill at a Plant or Refinery
Following a spill, workers must immediately alert coworkers and supervisors. If clothing was contaminated, they must be removed, and skin must be flushed for at least 15 minutes. This will ensure workers do not sustain chemical burns. When the flammable material is spilled, there is also an increased risk of fire. In this case, it may be necessary to contact the fire department and a hazardous material team so they can contain the spill. Chemical spills may not only be contained in the chemical plant; in fact, chemical spills may also affect the surrounding areas. Serious chemical spills can cause property damage, as well as injury to innocent victims. These spills may also cause explosions and fires at plants and refineries.
If your employer did not have a proper spill plan in place or employees at your place of work were not properly trained on how to handle a situation of this nature, then you may be entitled to recover financial compensation.
Chemical Spill FAQ
Why do chemical spills happen?
Spills at chemical plants may happen in any instance where safety regulations are overlooked, equipment malfunctions, or someone fails to act with proper caution. Workers must be properly trained and provided with the right safety equipment for their protection and to prevent spills from occurring in the first place. If chemical plant owners allow inexperienced employees to handle dangerous chemicals or operate complex machinery, if they push their workers to meet unrealistic production deadlines, or if they fail to inspect and maintain aging equipment, everyone at the plant and in nearby communities will pay the price.
Our firm is committed to helping those whose lives have been adversely impacted by chemical spills—including plant workers and people who live or work near chemical plants or refineries where spills have occurred.
How do chemical spills affect nearby communities?
Depending on the type of chemical, where the spill occurred, and how far it spread until it was contained, chemical spills can affect the environment in many ways. It can affect groundwater or other water sources. It can release dangerous toxins into the air. It can cause fires that are nearly impossible to put out. People in the community may need to be evacuated and may experience various damages.
Individuals and businesses in a community affected by a chemical spill may experience:
- Residential and commercial property damage
- Health problems caused by chemical exposure
- Financial losses caused by evacuations and the effects of the chemical spill on the environment, tourism, and more
What are my rights after a chemical spill accident?
If you were working at a chemical plant, live nearby, or own a business in the area, and you were injured or otherwise affected by a spill, you have the right to pursue compensation that will help set things right. The damages awarded in a chemical spill lawsuit are meant to help you rebuild your life by paying for medical care, property damage, lost income, and all other expenses or losses you have experienced. If you are a plant worker who was injured in a chemical spill, you have the right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits on a no-fault basis.
We can talk to you about your case to determine whether you have a workers’ compensation claim or another form of legal action that can help you recoup your losses, heal, and move on with your life.
Get Help from a Serious Chemical Spills Attorney
If you have been injured by a chemical spill, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer from our firm as soon as you can. Accidents of this nature are incredibly serious, so don't let your employer try to dissuade you from seeking legal help. At Arnold & Itkin, we have helped hundreds of people who have been injured by chemical plant accidents obtain the recovery that they deserve. We can hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries, which is exactly what we will fight to do should you become a client of our firm.
If you want help like this from skilled attorneys with proven results representing victims of plant and refinery accidents, contact us today. Your consultation is free and private.
