Explosion Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX

woman and man running up the stairs after accident

Due to the concentration of heavy industry in the Houston area including refineries and chemical plants, explosion accidents in the workplace are more common here than in other parts of the country. Workplace explosion accidents can leave workers with catastrophic life-altering injuries and in all too many instances, fatalities.

Without adequate compensation for the harm caused by a workplace explosion accident, you could be stuck with costly medical bills on top of painful physical injuries.

The Houston workplace explosion lawyers at The Callahan Law Firm know that these accidents can devastate the lives of injured workers and their families. That’s why we want to help you aggressively pursue full compensation for your injuries and damages. Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience helping injured workers secure the money they’re entitled to from at-fault corporations and their insurance companies.  Over the years we have a history of recovering millions of dollars for individual clients and their families.

Contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Houston workplace explosion accident lawyer.

Our Lawyers Help Victims of Explosions in Houston Workplaces

At The Callahan Law Firm, we have been fighting for the rights of injured Houston workers for more than a quarter-century. We’re prepared to help you by:

  • Investigating the accident to determine how it happened and who is responsible
  • Identifying all the potential ways of recovering compensation, including a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence, strict liability for a defective product, and gross negligence
  • Gathering evidence to support your case and document the full extent of your injuries related to the accident
  • Filing a lawsuit against those responsible for your injuries and damages
  • Negotiating a settlement, when possible, that is acceptable to you
  • Taking your personal injury case to trial and presenting it to a jury when the defendants and their insurance companies refuse to listen and be fair to you and your family.

How Explosions Happen in Houston Workplaces

In general, explosions happen at workplaces when a fuel source is ignited by a spark or flame. And with a large number of petrochemical refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities in and around the Houston area, the likelihood of workplace explosions and fires is significant.

Workplace explosions however are not limited to Houston’s oil refining, chemical, and related industries. Accidental explosions can happen in manufacturing facilities, construction sites, warehouses, or even seemingly “safe” places like office buildings. A spark can trigger an explosive blast if flammable or combustible fumes are in the air. Therefore, any business that works with combustible fuel sources is at risk of an accidental workplace explosion.

What Are the Most Common Types of Workplace Explosions?

Some of the most common types of workplace explosions in Houston and throughout Texas include:

  • Petrochemical refinery explosions – Chemical plants and oil refineries use a variety of vessels, tanks, towers, piping, machinery, and heavy industrial equipment to process fuels and other chemicals into usable products. If flammable gases or liquids are exposed to a spark, open flame, or other ignition source, explosions and fires will happen.
  • Pipeline explosions – Pipelines typically contain oil, gas, or some other flammable substance that can leak and cause explosions and fires.  These leaks can result from poor pipeline maintenance, defective equipment, construction work near existing pipelines, or one of many causes which can prove catastrophic.
  • Propane tank explosions – Many businesses have on-site propane tanks for various purposes. If a propane tank is damaged, improperly maintained, or otherwise in an unsafe condition, the fuel inside can leak and then combust when exposed to an ignition source.
  • Chemical explosions – Chemicals under pressure or that are otherwise easily combustible must be handled with extreme care. A stray spark can lead to a deadly blast if it comes in contact with volatile gases or liquids.
  • Electrical explosions – Defective or faulty wiring in a workplace, whether at a refinery, chemical plant, on construction site, or on a drilling rig can cause a spark or electrical arc that leads to a blast when a combustible fuel source is present.

Common Causes of Workplace Explosions

Examples of the many potential causes of accidental workplace explosions in Houston and throughout Texas include:

  • Improper handling of flammable materials, such as oil, natural gas, and industrial chemicals
  • Unsafe storage of combustible liquids and gases
  • Inadequate maintenance of equipment and vessels
  • Failure to follow safety policies and procedures including lockout/tag-out rules
  • Inadequate training for workers handling combustible materials
  • Failure to properly clean up spilled or leaked chemicals
  • Faulty or defective electrical wiring
  • Inadequate supervision, monitoring, and inspections of work sites

Common Injuries Resulting from Workplace Explosions in Houston

Workplace explosions can cause severe injuries, either because of the initial blast or secondary physical trauma. Some of the most common types of injuries stemming from workplace explosion accidents include:

  • Severe burns
  • Damage to the lungs and respiratory system
  • Amputations
  • Fatalities
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Crush injuries from workers or equipment thrown by a blast force
  • Psychological distress including PTSD, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression

Types of Claims that can be made for Compensation for a Houston Workplace Explosion Injury

In general, there are two different types of claims that could be available as a result of an accidental workplace explosion in Houston.

The first is a workers’ compensation claim.  This type of claim can be made when your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance and you were hurt on the job.  With this claim, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier should pay for most medical care related to your injuries and a portion of your missed wages. The benefits available through the workers’ compensation system, however, are limited and do not provide full justice to the injured worker.

The second type of claim is made by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the company or companies (not your employer) that caused or contributed to the workplace accident and your injuries.  Defendants in the lawsuit can include one or more companies that were on the work site, the manufacturer and seller of a defective product, or some other company whose negligence caused the incident and your injuries.  Claims that are made in a personal injury lawsuit can be based on negligence, strict liability for a product defect, and gross negligence.  In the lawsuit, the injured worker can seek full compensation for the injuries and damages.

Damages – in the past and future – that can be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit include the following:

  • Medical care expenses
  • Loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

Our workplace injury attorneys can tell you more about what compensation you may be able to recover for your injuries from a workplace explosion.

Contact Our Experienced Explosion Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a workplace explosion in Houston or anywhere in the state of Texas, The Callahan Law Firm is ready to fight for your rights. Contact our office today for a free case review with an experienced explosion accident lawyer in Houston.

Workplace Injury

What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident?

To protect your health and your rights, you should take the following steps after a workplace accident:

  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Verbally notify your employer of the accident as soon as possible.
  • Report the accident to your employer in writing when you are able, and keep a copy for yourself.
  • Contact an experienced workplace accident attorney to discuss your legal options, which may include a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation, or both, depending on your situation.
  • Keep track of your time off from work and medical providers.
  • Follow your physician’s treatment plan.

What Types of Workplace Injury Cases Does Your Law Firm Handle?

The legal team at The Callahan Law Firm handles personal injury claims in a wide range of workplace injury cases, including those that involve:

Do I Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer?

While you can file a workplace injury claim without the assistance of a lawyer, it can be a confusing and challenging process, especially if you are still recovering from injuries. An experienced attorney can provide the guidance you need and handle the details of your claim to help you get the most compensation available under the law.

If your employer does not have workers’ compensation coverage or if a third party was responsible for your accident, having an experienced workplace accident lawyer becomes even more crucial as the attorney can help determine who is responsible, ensure a proper investigation is done and critical evidence is preserved, and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party on your behalf.

How Long Do You Have to File a Workplace Injury Lawsuit?

If a personal injury lawsuit needs to be filed because of a workplace accident, under Texas law, the general rule is that the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you will likely lose your right to make your claim. That is why it is important to consult with a workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine your rights when your claim must be filed, and take the necessary steps to maximize your financial recovery.

I Was in an Accident at Work. What Benefits Can I Claim?

It depends. If you were hurt on the job because of the negligence of a third party (a person or company – not your employer – who caused your injury), your claim can include compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and more. If the negligence of your employer caused your injury and your employer did not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to make a claim for negligence against the employer for compensation for these same elements of damages.  If your employer did have workers’ compensation at the time of your injury, a workers’ comp claim can be made for benefits such as medical care and lost wages. And if a loved one tragically passed away due to work-related injuries, your family could be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim or death benefits from workers’ compensation. In many instances, more than one of these claims can be made.  A knowledgeable workplace accident attorney can determine the type of claim or claims that can be made to ensure you and your family are fully compensated under the law.