Any type of worker can be injured on the job. However, some work environments are more dangerous than others. Refineries, which are located all over oil-rich Texas, are some of the most dangerous job environments due to factors like heavy machinery, volatile chemicals, and toxic or corrosive substances. In this type of environment, even small errors can lead to devastating fires, explosions, and other serious accidents in which many people can be injured or killed.
If you or one of your loved ones was injured while working at an oil refinery in Texas, the Dallas, TX oil refinery accident attorneys of Queenan Law may be able to help you get compensated. Bringing more than 20 years of experience to every case we handle, our knowledgeable attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers in Texas’ oil and gas industry. We handle personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from industrial plant accidents in Dallas, Texas.
Causes of Oil Refinery Explosions and Fires
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 120 work-related fatalities occurred in the oil and gas industry during 2008. On average, that is one worker death about every three days. Non-fatal injuries and occupational illnesses were even more frequent, with about 4,200 cases recorded in 2007. That year, the average injury rate in the oil and gas industry was 4.6 per 100 full-time workers, which was slightly higher than the 4.2 average for other industries.
Unfortunately, it is not surprising that oil refinery workers have an elevated risk of injury compared to most other types of occupations. Oil refineries are immensely complex structures that rely on millions of parts and components all working together smoothly in order to function safely. When any of these components break down or malfunction, the risk of a serious accident or injury increases dramatically if maintenance is not performed promptly and correctly. In fact, improper maintenance is a common cause of oil refinery accidents, especially when plants are going through springtime maintenance after being closed for part of the year.
In addition to negligent maintenance, other causes of fires, disasters, and accidents at oil refineries include safety issues like:
- Accidental falls, such as falls from heights or slip and fall accidents
- Failure to go through procedural checklists
- Failure to properly report defective or faulty equipment
- Falling objects, which can strike a worker’s head, shoulders, or feet
- Improper procedures during startup or shutdown
- Improper storage of flammable or volatile substances
- Negligently lighting a match or smoking a cigarette near flammable substances
- Subcontractor negligence
Getting Compensation for Oil Refinery Worker Injuries in Dallas, TX
Injured Texas oil workers have legal rights. If you were injured at an oil refinery in Dallas, you deserve to pursue compensation for the suffering and financial loss you have endured as a result of the accident. The Dallas oil refinery injury lawyers of Queenan Law are ready to fight on your behalf. Our goal is to achieve an outcome where you will have the financial support you need for your care, so that you will not have to worry about how you will pay your medical bills or support your family while you are recovering from your injuries.
As Texas personal injury lawyers with decades of experience, we have worked on cases involving a very wide range of injuries, and know what sorts of expenses are typically involved in treatment. We will work strategically toward compensation that covers your care costs, including anticipated expenses and financial losses resulting from disability and diminished earning capacity. Types of claims our Dallas oil worker injury attorneys can assist with include, but are not limited to, claims involving:
- Abdominal Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Blast Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injuries
- Chemical Burns
- Chest Injuries
- Concussions
- Crush Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Dislocated Joints
- Facial Injuries
- Hand Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Hearing Loss
- Internal Bleeding
- Limb Amputation
- Neck Injuries
- Nerve Damage
- Organ Damage/Failure
- Paralysis
- Permanent Scarring
- Puncture Wounds
- Torn Ligaments
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Sprain Injuries
- Strain Injuries
If you or one of your loved ones suffered these or other injuries after a fire or explosion at an oil refinery in Texas, or if a family member was a victim of wrongful death, please do not hesitate to ask Queenan Law about how we can help. We are here to provide legal guidance and support in any way we can.
Dallas Oil Refinery Explosion Attorney Handling Injury and Wrongful Death Claims
Oil refinery accidents are complex events that often have more than one cause. An investigation of a refinery explosion demands intense focus, precise attention to detail, knowledge of the industry, and dedication to uncovering the truth. At Queenan Law, our Dallas oil refinery explosion injury lawyers know how devastating the aftermath of an oil refinery explosion is for the victims and their loved ones, and we are absolutely committed to providing aggressive legal representation for injured workers and their families.
When you are represented by Queenan Law, you can expect to be treated with dignity and respect while we work to uncover how and why the accident that injured you occurred. We will protect your rights, keep you informed as your case progresses, and fight hard to maximize the value of your claim. For a free legal consultation, call Queenan Law at (817) 476-1797 today.