The oil and gas industry thrive in Texas. The state’s landscape is dotted with crude oil refineries and plants that provide a livelihood to thousands of workers.
Unfortunately, this is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways. Many of the workers face untold risks in the course of their day to day operations. This becomes more apparent when they stray from state and federal safety regulations. The resulting repercussions can be catastrophic.
Plant and refinery explosions are nothing new in Texas. The state has had a long history of them despite their strict adherence to state and federal safety regulations.
When a plant explosion occurs, it can cause several devastating injuries to victims. This article takes an in-depth look at how the best oil and gas attorneys in Beaumont, Texas can help you if you’re a victim of a plant or refinery injury.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Plant and Refinery Explosions
Workers who fall victim to plant and refinery explosions can suffer a myriad of catastrophic injuries. These include:
1. Shockwave Injuries
The impact of an explosion can send shockwaves which cause blast injuries to site workers. More often than not, these waves affect internal organs like the gastrointestinal tract and lungs.
Injuries to these hollow organs don’t manifest immediately. So, it’s easy for victims to believe that they escaped with a few minor injuries only to develop complications later on.
2. Burn Injuries
Plant and refinery explosions generate high heat. It is, therefore, common for victims to suffer thermal and chemical burns. More often than not, these injuries are excruciatingly painful causing physical disfigurement and permanent scarring.
3. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
The force of plant or refinery blasts often causes TBIs to victims. In such instances, brain damage is usually permanent and requires extensive medical treatment. Individuals who have suffered TBIs often have to make a complete lifestyle change which is usually an inferior quality of life to what they were previously accustomed to.
4. Broken Bones and Lacerations
Aside from the brutal force of the blast, explosions also scatter debris in all directions. These could range from small pieces of glass and metal to large hand tools that could cause grievous harm to workers within the blast radius.
5. Wrongful Death
Explosions lead to the release of toxic chemicals, pressure, radiation, and gases that are beyond recommended safety limits. Sometimes it brings with it the accidental release of chemical vapor which may be fatal to workers who were close to ground zero.
6. Environmental Pollution
Plant and refinery explosions sometimes release a high concentration of toxic and acidic gases into the atmosphere. Examples of these are Nitrogen and Sulphur. It gives rise to the phenomenon of acid rain when a washout ends up destroying agricultural and other environmental resources.
What Can a Beaumont Personal Injury Lawyer Do for You?
Lawyers in Beaumont, Texas are well versed in dealing with oil and gas-related injuries. They’ll be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and assign blame to the negligent party.
Here’s how an oil and gas lawyer can help you in such situations.
1. Beaumont Attorneys Will Help You Recover Damages for Injuries You Sustained
A plant explosion lawyer is well equipped to handle accident cases on behalf of Beaumont refinery accident victims. They understand the damages you are entitled to and know how to go about recovering them on your behalf. There are usually three main areas where a refinery explosion lawyer would be able to seek damages on your behalf.
- First, you are entitled to receive compensation to enable you to recover the cost of any medical expenses you have incurred so far since you had the accident
- Second, if you missed work because of the injuries you sustained, a Houston refinery accident lawyer would be in a position to help you recover any lost wages
- Third, your injuries most likely caused some degree of mental and emotional anguish. Your lawyer would be able to sue for pain and suffering damages on your behalf
The amount of these damages relies heavily on the severity of your injuries. Severe burns, for instance, are one of the most difficult injuries to treat and require long-term and incredibly painful medical care.
These result in high medical expenses and specialized prolonged care. Recoverable damages in these instances will be substantially higher than for less severe injuries.
2. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Beaumont TX Will Be Able to Sue for Wrongful Death Injuries
If a refinery accident led to the death of your spouse, child, or parent you are entitled to sue for all the damages they would have been entitled to if they survived the accident. In addition to these, you are also entitled to damages that you incurred as a result of their death.
This means that you can recover the burial and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of inheritance, and loss of counsel. Settlements in these types of claims are usually to the tune of millions of dollars.
Get Help from the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Beaumont, TX
It is hard to tell what settlement amount you can expect until you consult with an experienced attorney about your case. Any auto accident attorney in Beaumont TX or refinery accident lawyer will tell you that if you accept a settlement offer from the at-fault party that’s less than what you are entitled to, that effectively, marks the end of the claims process.
You won’t be able to go to court to seek additional damages. Going to court from the get-go will see you get the full amount in damages that you’re entitled to.
What’s more, you can also sue for punitive damages for negligent behavior. This is only possible if you have the best legal representation by your side.
If you have more legal questions, you can also chat online with a Laws 101 attorney who can give you legal guidance on your specific case or question.