Our Texas Trial Attorneys Explain Why Refinery Explosions Happen and What Injury Compensation You Can Pursue
Texas refines more oil than any other state in the nation and is a valuable hub for energy production. However, the industry still carries its share of potential dangers. Refinery explosions are of particular concern, causing property damage, environmental contamination, and, most tragically, worker injuries and fatalities.
Understanding what causes refinery explosions is crucial to knowing how to avoid them, what steps to take to prevent them, and what to do when one occurs. But what recourse do you have after an injury or the devastating wrongful death of a loved one? At Terry & Thweatt, P.C., we have the trusted experience you need to handle complicated Texas refinery explosion cases, identifying all liable parties and structuring settlements of recovery that provide justice.
A Closer Look at Why Refinery Accidents Happen![image-of-oil-refinery-explosion]()
Cases like these often pit vulnerable victims against powerful corporations with big insurers and savvy corporate legal counsel. So a vital component of your injury claim is for our legal team to investigate the cause of the accident. Here are some of the most common causes of refinery explosions.
Process Safety Management (PSM) Violations
The Texas Legislature adopted the federal PSM standard through the Texas Clean Air Act. This standard requires refineries to have comprehensive programs in place to identify potential hazards, evaluate risks, and implement safeguards to prevent accidents. Violations of these regulations—such as inadequate hazard analysis, improper maintenance procedures, or failure to train workers on safety protocols—significantly increase the risk of an explosion.
Equipment Failures
Refineries rely on complex machinery and equipment that operate under extreme pressure and temperature. Malfunctioning equipment—whether due to faulty design, improper maintenance, or corrosion—can lead to leaks, spills, and the release of flammable vapors. If an ignition source is present, such as a spark from electrical equipment or hot work activities, an explosion can occur.
Human Error
Human error is a stubborn challenge in refinery safety. Even with plenty of safety measures in place, often directed by guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it’s not uncommon for human factors to contribute to accidents in the workplace. Fatigue caused by long hours or demanding environments clouds judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of mistakes. Inadequate training on procedures or hazard recognition can also make workers unprepared for unexpected situations. Additionally, bypassing safety protocols due to time pressure, complacency, or a false sense of security introduces additional vulnerabilities.
Fires
Inside a refinery, fires happen for various reasons. A fire that spirals out of control can trigger explosions if they reach flammable materials or storage tanks. Typical causes of refinery fires include:
- Electrical malfunctions
- Lightning strikes
- Overheating equipment
Preventing Texas Refinery Explosions
There are many measures you can take that help prevent refinery explosions:
- Strict adherence to PSM standards. Refineries must prioritize implementing and maintaining a comprehensive PSM program as mandated by TCEQ Chapter 116. This includes hazard identification, risk assessment, preventive maintenance, and employee training.
- Regular inspection and maintenance. Timely inspections of equipment and pipelines are critical to identifying and addressing potential problems before they escalate. Following the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance schedules and proper equipment upkeep is essential as well.
- Employee training. Providing thorough and updated training on safety protocols, hazard recognition, and emergency response procedures significantly reduces the risk of human error-related accidents.
- Open communication culture. Companies should foster an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
What to Do After a Refinery Explosion Injury
You adhere to all safety standards and training protocols, but a refinery explosion caused by the negligence of another worker or supervisor is still a possibility, no matter how well you are prepared. It’s also possible that the explosion led to injuries that must be accounted for.
The clock is ticking on what you can do to care for yourself and, if necessary, file a personal injury claim. At Terry & Thweatt, P.C., we’re ready anytime you are to provide a free consultation about your circumstances and whether you can recover damages due to your refinery accident. But here’s what we recommend you do first.
Receive Essential Medical Care
Your health is the priority. Even if you don't feel immediate pain, a thorough medical evaluation is vital to diagnose and document any injuries. It’s crucial to save all documentation of your incident including medical bills, doctor visits, and loss of wages.
Keep all doctors’ appointments and follow all medical advice provided to you. Any deviation could give your employer, their insurance company, and their workers’ compensation provider the excuse to downplay the severity of your claim—or deny it altogether.
Report the Incident
You only have 30 days to report the details of the refinery explosion that caused your injuries, so take care to notify your supervisor right away and follow company procedures for reporting workplace accidents. Don’t give your employer any ammunition to fire back against your benefits claim.
On that same note, trust your instincts and document everything. Your company and its insurer will focus more on the bottom line than your needs. So don’t provide a recorded statement, sign any paperwork, or accept company money related to the accident before discussing things with an attorney.
Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
If you’re able, take pictures of the scene of the explosion, your injuries, and any damaged equipment. Note down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Record everything you remember that happened leading up to the accident and after. Preserve the clothing you were wearing at the time and any other physical evidence you may have on you, even if you don’t think it’s important. Our legal team will assess all types of evidence to provide proof of negligence and liability.
Houston Injury Lawyers Joe Terry and Lee Thweatt Focus on the Justice You Deserve in a Refinery Injury Claim
Refinery explosions are nothing like other workplace accidents you may have heard about or been involved in. The settlements are likely to be far higher than typical due to the likelihood of catastrophic injury. For this reason, your employer will try to avoid as much responsibility for its involvement as possible.
At Terry & Thweatt, P.C., we understand the importance and value of hard work, and how frightening it can be to have a powerful company’s negligence harm your health and jeopardize your livelihood. We make it our mission to help injured oil and gas workers go up against well-resourced defendants, and fight tirelessly to obtain the compensation you need to rebuild your life.