Houston Pipeline Explosion Lawyers

Pipeline infrastructure is essential to homes, businesses, and the U.S. economy. That said, the commodities that flow through these pipes are highly toxic and flammable, which means workers in this industry are often exposed to risky situations, as are people who live near the pipelines themselves. In the worst-case scenario, pipelines can explode and cause catastrophic injuries to workers and bystanders. Property damage or even death are common.

Pipeline explosions happen for various reasons, but sadly, they are almost always the result of preventable human error. If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a pipeline explosion, you must talk to an experienced pipeline explosion lawyer. Johnson Garcia has more than 35 years of experience successfully standing up for injured victims and recovering the compensation they are entitled to.

We understand that we cannot undo the accident and its aftermath, but we can help you recover the compensation you deserve and bring you closure after an accident. The attorneys at Johnson Garcia are experienced trial lawyers ready to represent you in court if the other party refuses to settle or makes you a low offer.

What Are the Different Types of Pipelines?

There are different types of pipelines, but natural gas and oil pipelines are the most common.

Natural Gas Pipelines

Natural gas pipelines are often used in residential and commercial applications. They are made of carbon steel, with a diameter ranging from a few inches to five feet. These pipelines are pressurized to help move gas from one end to the other.

Oil Pipelines

Oil pipelines transport crude and refined oil between refineries and oil fields. These pipelines are typically made from plastic or steel. They range from a couple of inches in diameter to four feet. Most oil pipelines run underground and only surface at pump stations and valves, but some pipes, such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), are exceptions that feature miles of pipeline at the surface.

What Are the Common Causes of Pipeline Accidents?

While different factors cause pipeline accidents, these accidents are preventable and often occur due to human error and corporate negligence. At Johnson Garcia, our pipeline explosion lawyers are ready to go against anyone responsible for your pipeline accident and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Common causes of pipeline accidents include:

• Improper maintenance
• Installation errors
• Improper or inadequate training of employees
• Defective equipment
• Excavation work
• Failure to respond to pipeline problems promptly

How Common Are Pipeline Explosions?

While pipeline explosions are rare, they are often tragic when they happen. Below is a list of examples of pipeline explosion incidents in Texas that have been documented from 2016 to 2023:

• On Jan. 31, 2023, A pipeline exploded in Pearsall, Texas. Two individuals sustained injuries, and one was killed.
• On June 28, 2021, A natural gas pipeline exploded in Collin County, Texas, when workers from Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering — subcontractors of Atmos Energy — were conducting pipeline maintenance. The explosion killed two individuals at the scene and injured two workers.
• On Aug. 21, 2021, A propane pipeline erupted in Corpus Christi, Texas, leaving five dead and another five injured.
• On June 28, 2021, A natural gas-fueled explosion occurred at an Atmos Energy Corporation facility near Farmersville, Texas, while workers performed routine maintenance activities. Two workers on site suffered injuries, and two deaths were reported.
• On July 28, 2020, A gas line exploded in Martin County, Texas, when a ditching company struck the high-pressure gas line. Four people were injured in the explosion.
• On April 14, 2016, A gas pipeline operated by Southcross Energy Partners exploded in Woodsboro, Texas, and caused the injuries of one worker and two fatalities.

Regarding serious methane gas pipeline accidents, such as explosions and fires, Texas is the worst U.S. state with these incidents. Several people are often injured, and some die in these accidents. Consult an experienced lawyer to discuss your legal options if you or a loved one have been injured in a Houston pipeline explosion.

What Are the Legal Options for Pipeline Explosion Victims in Houston?

If you are an injured victim of a pipeline explosion — whether at work or in your home — please talk to a skilled pipeline explosion lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you investigate the explosion and determine who caused the accident and the potentially liable parties to establish the appropriate type of lawsuit or legal claim.

Legal Options for Workers Hurt in Pipeline Explosions

There are several avenues available to workers harmed in a pipeline explosion. These might include:

Workers’ Compensation

Did you sustain injuries while performing activities within the course or scope of your employment? If you believe the accident happened while carrying out activities that benefited your employer, it would be best to find out if your injuries will be covered under workers’ compensation. After suffering workplace injuries caused by a pipeline explosion, you may be eligible to pursue benefits for lost wages and medical benefits if your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. You may also recover workers’ compensation benefits if you lose a loved one in a job-related pipeline explosion incident.

Suing Your Employer

Consult a pipeline accident lawyer to determine the next best steps and discuss your legal options if workers’ compensation does not cover your injuries. You may be able to sue your employer if workers’ compensation does not cover you, and they are liable for the explosion.

Third-Party Liability Lawsuit

If other parties shared blame for the cause of the explosion, they might be liable for your injuries and losses. In Texas, injured workers have the option to file injury lawsuits against at-fault third parties such as a pipeline manufacturer, maintenance provider, pipeline company, or contractor.

Legal Options for Pipeline Explosion Victims Who Live Near Pipelines

Pipeline workers are not the only ones injured in pipeline explosions. In some cases, innocent people living closer to these pipelines are severely injured or even killed after pipeline explosions. If you are an innocent victim of a pipeline explosion, talk to a qualified Houston pipeline explosion lawyer to review your legal options.

Several parties may be liable for a pipeline explosion in Texas, including the following:

• Construction companies
• State or federal regulators
• Third-party companies
• Pipeline owners
• Pipeline parts and equipment manufacturers

What Damages Can a Pipeline Explosion Victim Obtain in Texas?

When you are involved in a pipeline explosion caused by another party’s negligence, they must be held responsible for their actions. You may face tremendous medical and financial challenges if you or a loved one are hurt in a pipeline explosion. A lawyer can help you recover compensation to make your life easier after the explosion.

Victims of pipeline explosions may be entitled to the following compensation:

• Medical bills
• Mental anguish
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Disability
• Lost wages
• Wrongful death benefits

What Are My Legal Options if I Lost a Loved One in a Pipeline Explosion?

You might be able to file a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one in a pipeline explosion. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys understand that no amount of compensation can fill the void left by losing a loved one. Still, we hope it offers your family financial support to help you move forward and provide the sense of closure and justice you deserve. At Johnson Garcia, we assist pipeline explosion victims in getting the best possible compensation when accidents take away their loved ones.

Discuss Your Houston Pipeline Explosion With an Experienced Attorney

Most oil and gas corporations prioritize profits over workers’ safety, often resulting in catastrophic injuries when a pipeline accident occurs. If the company’s negligence resulted in your injuries, they must be held accountable. If you have been hurt or tragically lost a loved one in a pipeline explosion, do not hesitate to consult our pipeline explosion lawyers.

Johnson Garcia has the skills and resources to successfully fight for injured victims’ rights. We have extensive experience and have won millions of dollars worth of settlements for injured victims. Let us review your case at no fee, determine your legal options, go against insurance companies on your behalf, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Call us at 832-844-6700 or contact us online to talk to our skilled Houston pipeline explosion lawyers today.