Houston Chemical Plant Explosion Lawyers

There are many hazards contained in a chemical plant, posing immense risks to the workers, businesses, and residents living close to the plant. There is always the possible risk of an explosion, which is bound to cause serious injuries or, in worst-case scenarios, death. Since most owners of chemical plants prioritize profits over their workers’ safety, there is an increased likelihood of a disaster.

Johnson Garcia can help you seek damages if you were injured in a chemical plant explosion due to someone’s negligence. We have recovered millions for our clients and are ready to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and the resulting damage. Our lawyers have over 35 years of combined experience working on injury cases and are dedicated to getting justice for our clients.

If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a tragic chemical plant explosion, please turn to the skilled chemical plant explosion attorneys at Johnson Garcia. Let us help you recover the maximum compensation possible.

Houston-Based Industrial Plants

There are multiple industrial plants in Houston. These industrial plants create employment opportunities for individuals across the state and generate significant profits and taxes.

Some examples of Houston-based industrial plants include:

• Chevron Phillips Chemicals. They produce a wide range of polymer resins, plastic piping, and specialty chemicals. Alpha olefins, aromatics, olefins, and polyolefins are among the areas they focus on.
• Westlake Chemical. They produce chemical and plastic products and are global manufacturers and suppliers of petrochemicals, plastic, and building products.
• Union Carbide Corporation. This is a Dow Chemical Company’s subsidiary. They produce polymers and chemicals that other businesses use in creating consumer goods, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and household products.
• They develop sustainable and innovative solutions for the oil and gas industry. They offer testing, analytics, spent caustic treatment and handling services, and sulfur removal. Their team specializes in technology, engineering, and spent caustic services.

Chemical plant owners and employers are responsible for ensuring safe on-site working conditions for workers. Unfortunately, most employers are fixated on generating profits, and as a result, the safety of workers suffers, leading to life-threatening chemical plant accidents.

Chemical Plant Explosions in Houston

Industrial chemical plants are dangerous workplaces, especially if the employer does not prioritize the workers’ safety. Typically, heavy equipment hangs overhead, caustic chemicals churn, and proper PPE (personal protective equipment) is almost always unavailable. While chemical plant explosions are rare, they are usually tragic when they occur.

Such an explosion occurred in May 2018 at the EVAL plant. The Pasadena industrial plant explosion injured more than 20 people when a fire and explosion ripped through the facility. More than 250 workers were in the facility when the explosion happened.

Ambulances transported several injured workers to a local hospital for treatment after they suffered burns, while two had to be flown. Later, it was reported that the accident resulted from the plant’s production system leaking a highly flammable gas.

Recently, on March 22nd, 2023, an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in suburban Houston left at least one injured. Officials are still looking into the cause of the blast at the plant, INEOS Phenol, which produces cumene. Cumene is an organic product used to produce a wide range of things, including auto parts, cleaning products, pesticides, and herbicides.

Common Causes of Plant Explosions

While chemical plant explosions can occur in different ways, human error is often the leading cause. If your injuries resulted from a negligent employer, operator, or chemical plant owner, our chemical plant explosion lawyers could hold them liable and recover damages on your behalf.

Common causes of chemical plant explosions include the following:

• Inadequate safety gear for workers
• Employers’ noncompliance with state and federal laws
• Inadequate employee safety training
• Improperly maintained or defective equipment or parts
• Failure to have remote shut-off systems
• Improper storage of chemicals
• Unsafe procedures or conditions
• Improper combination of chemicals
• Electric hazards

Most chemical plant explosions are preventable and can be traced back to failing to follow the safety guidelines and OSHA standards, faulty valves, poor maintenance, and human error.

Consult an experienced chemical plant explosion lawyer to review your case and discuss your legal options and rights. At Johnson Garcia Law, we believe it’s all about what you deserve, and we pool our resources to get you the desired results.

Types of Injuries From Plant Explosions

When chemical plant explosions happen, they typically create a blast wave that can cause significant harm to anyone within the blast’s radius. The results of these blasts are catastrophic injuries, leading to permanent damage or disabilities. Such blasts can also lead to wrongful death cases.

The types of injuries one can sustain from a plant explosion include:

• Globe eye rupture
• Abdominal perforation
• Lung damage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ruptured eardrum
• Dislocated or broken bones
• Spinal cord injury
• Head injuries
• Severe burns
• Traumatic amputation
• Scarring and disfigurement

Chemical plant explosion injuries typically have life-altering implications for victims, including impairments, disfigurement, or permanent disabilities. If you are a victim of a chemical plant explosion, it is crucial to work with our knowledgeable chemical plant explosion lawyers. We have worked on similar cases and understand the long-term damages you may face. Our legal team will work tirelessly to get you a settlement that compensates you for your immediate and future losses.

Contact Our Houston Chemical Plant Lawyers Today for Help

The aftermath of a chemical plant explosion is often devastating and may leave victims injured or deceased. When a chemical explosion occurs, it is often the result of someone’s negligence, and they ought to be held liable. At Johnson Garcia Law, we are ready to listen to your side of the story and help you recover the best compensation possible.

Our lawyers have over 35 years of combined experience successfully representing injured victims. If the chemical plant and its insurance company are not negotiating fairly, the skilled chemical plant explosion lawyers at Johnson Garcia can play hardball when we need to. We will help you file a lawsuit and are prepared to take your case to trial if needed to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Contact us online today or call 832-844-6700 to schedule a 100% free and confidential case review.