Steel mill workers do critical and serious work. Unfortunately, this work does not come without the ever-present danger of potential explosions. Explosions on steel mills can be caused by a failure in maintenance or supervision, use of improper materials, or a variety of other safety regulation violations.
If your employer or a separate contracting entity caused the accident, you can name one or more of these parties in a lawsuit. Through this lawsuit, you could recover for the consequences of your injuries. If a loved one died in a steel mill explosion accident, you and your family members could potentially recover through a separate action known as a “wrongful death” lawsuit. In either case, there is a two-year time limit on filing your case, so be sure to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible.
We at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. recognize the difficulty that a steel mill accident can bring upon victims and their families. Our diligent Dallas steel mill explosion injury and death lawyers believe that everyone deserves to know their legal rights to recovery. To schedule a free case consultation today, call us at (817) 476-1797.
Common Negligent Causes of Steel Mill Explosions in Dallas
Steel mills are large operations containing multiple simultaneous reactions with the capacity to cause an explosion. To combat this inherent danger, steel mill operators and oversight companies put safety protocols in place. However, sometimes these protocols can get in the way of external motivations such as a production schedule or cutting costs.
Below are some of the most common ways that steel mill management can negligently cause an explosion that puts employees, contractors, and bystanders in harm’s way:
- Insufficient maintenance of machinery
- Use of chemicals with substandard quality
- Failing to inspect for wear or corrosion
- Broken seals preventing water from entering electrical furnace
- Poor labeling and storage
- Violations of OSHA safety regulations
Because steel mill operation is such a highly regulated industry, accidents are usually a sign that corners have been cut. Speak to your Dallas steel mill explosion injury lawyer today to find out whether someone else was responsible for the accident that injured you.
Choosing Defendants and Identifying Claims for Steel Mill Explosions in Dallas
When a steel mill explosion occurs, typically there is a party at fault. Most often, the ownership or operating company of the steel mill is to blame. However, these entities can properly transfer liability to a separate oversight body on certain issues, such as upkeep and inspection. Independent contractors who fail to properly maintain or supervise the steel mill’s operations can be held liable in a lawsuit as well as the mill company if you can prove that they were negligent or reckless in causing the accident.
If liability is not clear in your case, you have the ability to name multiple defendants in your lawsuit and allow them to conduct their own litigation to determine where the fault lies for your injuries. Our experienced Dallas steel mill explosion injury lawyers can help you determine who is at fault in your case.
Texas law allows for workers to opt out of workers’ compensation insurance coverage. This choice is typically offered when the worker is initially hired. If you did opt out of workers’ compensation when you started your job, you can file an injury lawsuit against your employer or another responsible party to recover damages.
Statute of Limitations for Steel Mill Explosion Injury Lawsuits in Dallas
If you believe that your injuries from a steel mill accident were caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the chance to sue for damages. But this opportunity does not last forever. In Texas, personal injury plaintiffs have up to two years from the date that they sustained their injuries to file their claim. If you fail to file within two years of the accident, you likely will not be able to recover for your injuries.
Preparing to file your suit can take a long time, so you should reach out to a Dallas steel mill explosion injury attorney as soon as possible. Prior to filing the suit, your lawyer will have to gather information on the background and conduct of the parties, identify potential defendants, and evaluate the prognosis of your injury for the sake of estimating damages in your case.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits After Steel Mill Explosions in Dallas
If a loved one has passed away because of injuries sustained in a steel mill explosion, you may have legal options available to seek financial recovery for your loss. A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action brought by the family members of the deceased against the person or entity responsible.
Wrongful death lawsuits function very similarly to a personal injury lawsuit on the same issue. Plaintiffs will still have to prove that the defendant was negligent or reckless and that this negligence or recklessness was the cause of the accident that harmed the victim.
Damages
One key difference is in how damages are assessed and distributed. In a personal injury lawsuit, the victim is the one that sustains damages. Therefore, compensation will be awarded to the victim directly based on their condition. In a wrongful death lawsuit, however, the damages go to the beneficiaries of the deceased based on their losses, such as loss of companionship, mentorship, or expected income.
Beneficiaries
Potential beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas include as many of the deceased’s spouse, parents, and children that are alive at the time and willing to be named. If one of these beneficiaries does not file the wrongful death suit within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate may file it on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Statute of Limitations
For wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations in Texas is still two years. However, the clock on the claim only begins to run on the date of the death, rather than the date of the accident. To avoid missing the deadline on filing your claim, speak to one of our dedicated Dallas steel mill explosion wrongful death attorneys today.
Get Legal Help After a Dallas Steel Mill Explosion
Steel mill explosion victims and their families deserve their day in court against those responsible. To get started, call the offices of The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 to schedule your free initial appointment with one of our Dallas steel mill explosion injury or death lawyers today.