Oil Refinery Explosions
Industrial Accidents
An oil refinery is an industrial processing plant where crude oil is refined into a number of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, paraffin wax, asphalt, tar, and liquefied petroleum gas. Oil refineries are a major part of the American economy and Texas refineries offer a significant amount of jobs to local oil and gas workers.
Anyone who lives in Houston knows the inherent risks involved in working at a refinery such as explosions, gas and chemical spills, fires and other occupational diseases associated with petroleum. Unfortunately, most of these accidents could have been entirely prevented if proper safety protocol and maintenance procedures had been followed. If you have been injured in an oil refinery explosion, contact a personal injury lawyer from The Doan Law Firm, P.C. right away.
On March 23, 2005, a massive fire and explosion occurred at BP's Texas City Refinery, killing 15 workers and injuring more than 170 other people. BP was subsequently charged with criminal violations of federal environmental laws. The oil giant was fined for hundreds of safety violations and later fined even more for failing to implement further safety improvements following the great disaster. This unfortunately accident illustrates how major corporations can place profits ahead of safety whereby innocent workers get seriously injured or killed as a result.
Common Causes of Refinery Explosions
The oil industry continues to be an inherently dangerous working environment where unforeseen explosions can occur, thus causing multiple injuries and deaths. Common causes of oil refinery explosions include:
- Poor safety procedures
- Equipment failure
- Chemical spills
- Drilling rig accidents
- Blowout accidents
- Fires
- Third party negligence
- Severed power lines
- Negligent subcontractors
- Faulty equipment
Schedule a Consultation
Due to the number of oil refineries in the Houston and Gulf Coast area, oil and gas workers are at a heightened risk for being involved in a refinery accident or explosion. Unfortunately many explosions are the direct result of negligent safety practices or negligent maintenance and should have been prevented from happening in the first place.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a refinery explosion, you should contact an attorney from The Doan Law Firm, P.C. to schedule your initial consultation. They understand how these types of injuries are some of the worst types of occupational injuries anyone can experience, and they can leave your life changed forever. After reviewing the specifics of your case, they can advise you on how to proceed forward with your injury claim.