Accidentes en plantas y refinerías

Reclamar una indemnización por accidente en una planta o refinería

Por desgracia, no puede contar con que su empresa y la compañía de seguros velen por sus intereses. Al fin y al cabo, su principal preocupación es minimizar sus propias pérdidas evitando la responsabilidad de pagarte por tu siniestro.

Antes de tomar cualquier otra medida sobre el caso, acuda a The Daspit Law Firm para que podamos revisar la situación y asesorarle sobre las opciones legales que pueden estar a su disposición.

Accidentes de refinería en la capital mundial de la energía

Según la información publicada por la Greater Houston Partnership, en Houston y sus alrededores hay más de 700 establecimientos dedicados a la fabricación de productos químicos y plásticos. Además, hay numerosas refinerías de petróleo, incluidas dos de las cuatro mayores de Estados Unidos.

Decenas de miles de habitantes de Houston trabajan en las industrias manufactureras y de refinado, y estas empresas desempeñan un papel enorme en la salud y la vitalidad de la economía local. Sin embargo, las plantas de fabricación y las refinerías químicas son lugares de trabajo notoriamente peligrosos, y muchos hombres y mujeres que encuentran empleo en estas industrias se enfrentan a la amenaza de lesiones o muerte cada día que van a trabajar.

The most dramatic type of refinery accident is an explosion, in which dozens or hundreds of workers may suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. Even accidents that do not make news headlines, however, have the potential to injure, maim and kill the workers who have the misfortune to be involved.

La maquinaria pesada puede mutilar e incluso amputar miembros. La caída de objetos puede aplastar a los trabajadores. Los líquidos o vapores calientes pueden causar quemaduras, y la exposición a sustancias químicas tóxicas puede provocar lesiones graves y debilitantes o enfermedades potencialmente mortales.

FAQS Regarding Plant & Refinery Accidents

Can I sue after a refinery or plant explosion in Texas?

Yes, in most situations. If your employer is a non-subscriber that carries no workers' compensation, you can sue that employer directly for negligence.

If your employer does carry workers' comp, you generally cannot sue them, but refineries and chemical plants are staffed by layers of contractors, so you can usually bring a third-party claim against the plant owner, the general contractor, a maintenance or turnaround contractor, or another company on site whose crew caused the release or ignition.

You may also have a product liability claim against the maker of a failed valve, pump, gasket, or piece of protective equipment. Call The Daspit Law Firm at (888) 273-1045 for a free case review.

Who is liable for a plant or refinery accident?

Liability depends on who controlled the hazard, and it is frequently shared. Potentially responsible parties include the plant or refinery owner, the operating company, the general contractor, specialty contractors performing turnaround or maintenance work, staffing agencies, and equipment manufacturers.

The page above already identifies the usual failures behind these incidents: negligence by a coworker or contractor, inadequate supervision, deteriorated equipment, failure to implement safety regulations, and insufficient crew training. Our attorneys map the full contractor structure on site, because each company carries its own insurance and each may owe you compensation.

What injuries are common in refinery and chemical plant accidents?

Refinery and plant incidents produce some of the most severe injuries in any industry. We handle claims involving thermal and chemical burns, blast and concussive injuries, traumatic brain injury, crush injuries and amputations, falls from height, injuries from scalding hot liquids or vapors, and respiratory damage or long-term illness from toxic chemical exposure.

Many of these injuries are catastrophic, meaning they permanently disable or disfigure the worker, and those cases require future medical care and lost earning capacity to be valued properly rather than settled early.

What should I do after being injured at a plant or refinery?

Get emergency medical care first, and make sure the injury is documented as work related. Report it to your supervisor in writing and request a copy of the incident report. If you are able, photograph the equipment and the area, and write down the names of everyone who was on the unit with you.

Do not give a recorded statement to a company investigator, safety consultant, or insurance adjuster, and do not sign a release. Then call us at (888) 273-1045. We visit clients in the hospital and consultations are free 24 hours a day.

What compensation can I recover for a plant accident?

You may recover past and future medical treatment, including burn reconstruction and long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to plant work. You may also recover noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Where a company's conduct was grossly negligent, punitive damages may be available. Families who lost a worker can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of love and companionship.

How long do I have to file a refinery accident claim?

Generally two years from the date of the accident, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Claims for occupational illness caused by long-term chemical exposure may run from the date the illness was diagnosed or reasonably discoverable.

Waiting is costly for a different reason: plants repair damaged units quickly and control room data, maintenance logs, and unit-specific records can be overwritten. Contact us early so we can preserve them.

Hable con un abogado de accidentes de planta ahora

Los accidentes laborales en plantas, fábricas y refinerías de petróleo pueden deberse a descuidos o imprudencias de los compañeros, a la falta de supervisión de la dirección o a otro tipo de negligencias del empresario.

En algunos casos, una investigación descubrirá que el accidente fue causado por equipos corroídos o dañados, y que las inspecciones y el mantenimiento rutinarios deberían haber evitado la tragedia. En otros casos, la culpa del accidente puede deberse a que el empresario no aplicó las normas de seguridad ni formó adecuadamente a las tripulaciones.

Si usted cree que su accidente fue evitable, póngase en contacto con nuestra firma para una evaluación gratuita de su caso para que podamos investigar la situación y comenzar a desarrollar una estrategia para perseguir la compensación financiera que se merece.