Plant Explosion Legal Services

Take Action After a Plant Explosion

Production plants play a vital role in modern society. In Louisiana, we are one of the top states for natural gas production and proven reserves. We work with crude oil, natural gas, and biomass, all of which are processed in plants for worldwide usage. There are 17 oil refineries across the state for one-fifth of the nation's refining capacity. When we refine 3.4 million barrels of crude oil today, our plants matter.

Unfortunately, plant workers are at risk. Due to the nature of these plants, explosions can and do occur. The headlines speak for themselves.

• June 2013: a plant explosion kills two men at a petrochemical plant due to a willful violation of rules
• 2016: a catastrophic explosion injures four workers at a Baton Rouge refinery due to lapses in safety regulations, leading to a fine of $165,000 against Exxon Mobil Corp and nine citations
• February 2020: a massive blaze at a refinery in Baton Rouge required five crews to put it out
• April 2021: an explosion leaves five workers severely burned and seeking treatment in Shreveport

After these accidents, it's not just medical support and industry investigation that matter. These accidents leave lasting tolls on the workers and their families. The personal injury team at Murray & Murray LLC can be there to represent your interests and help you recover damages.

We assess damages that are economic and non-economic. You deserve help with your medical bills. You also deserve help for pain and suffering. At Murray & Murray LLC, we have experience with these cases, and we are confident we can help you as well. Call for a free consultation right now!

Injuries Caused by Plant Explosions

Plant explosions usually lead to catastrophic damage to facilities and to people. Not only can people be injured in the initial blast, but many of these injuries lead to complications and lasting damage. Because these blasts happen in confined spaces, the risks are pronounced and morbidity rates rise. You could suffer from:

• Crush injuries
• Burn injuries
• Sepsis
• Airway epithelial damage
• Renal injuries
• Disruption to the digestive, circulatory, and auditory systems

These injuries are usually classified into four categories. This includes primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary injuries. Understanding these classifications can help you as you seek damages.

Primary injuries are caused by the blast wave. This creates extreme pressure and usually impacts the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and middle ear the most. These injuries include:

• Pulmonary barotrauma
• Tympanic membrane perforations
• Abdominal hemorrhages and perforations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Eye ruptures

Secondary injuries are caused by flying debris, and they can impact any part of the body. Fragments in the explosion can penetrate the skin or head. Sometimes, these injuries even occur to the bone or eyes. At Murray & Murray LLC, we've helped clients with blunt force trauma from flying debris.

There are also tertiary injuries. This happens when the explosion throws someone and they land against the floor, walls, machinery, or equipment. This often leads to traumatic injuries to the brain or extremities. Amputations are also tertiary injuries, and brain injuries are not uncommon.

Finally, quaternary injuries are possible. These happen after the explosion and include illnesses that develop later that are not related to other mechanisms of the blast. These injuries can occur by themselves, or they can exacerbate existing conditions. Some examples are:

• Burns
• Open or closed brain injuries
• Asthma, COPD, and other lung issues from toxic fumes, smoke, or dust
• Angina from reduced blood flow to the heart
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypertension

The severity of these injuries is not so shocking when you understand why plant explosions occur. Commonly, explosions are caused by heat and hazardous chemical reactions. This usually starts with a gas leak. Many gas leaks stem from poor maintenance, and once the gas comes into contact with a heat source, it ignites.

Explosions can also be linked to liquids in sealed containers. When these liquids are exposed to heat, they can boil, expand, and turn to gas. When the vapor pressure is too much, the container can explode.

No matter what causes the accident or what injuries you've suffered, you can still get the help you need. To talk about your case and determine a fair settlement, Murray & Murray LLC offers same-day appointments.

Wrongful Death and Workers' Compensation

For workers who are injured in a plant explosion, it may be advisable to consider a workers' compensation claim. Workers' compensation is designed to protect employees, but the system doesn't always work. In fact, as recently as 2018, some plant explosion workers had their claims rejected. You can improve your odds by working with Murray & Murray LLC on your claim.

To be eligible, you must file a report within 10 days of an explosion. The insurance company then notifies the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration to review the claim with consideration of your medical records, work history, wages, and future work potential. The process is fraught with caveats, and the rules can be hard to follow. Our team will make sure all the paperwork is in order.

In some cases, plant explosions lead to the worst possible outcome. If you've lost a loved one in a plant explosion, you can consider a wrongful death case. These cases can be brought by:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents (if the victim did not have a surviving spouse or children)
• Siblings (if the victim did not have a surviving spouse, child, or parent)
• Grandparents (if the victim did not have a surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling)

Based on Louisiana law, loved ones are entitled to compensation when the victim's death was caused by negligence or fault of another worker or the company. A wrongful death case can't bring your loved one back, but you can get the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Choose a Reputable Personal Injury Law Firm

When a plant explosion derails your life, Murray & Murray LLC can provide the support you need to get back on track. We've helped other people after a plant explosion, and we'll make sure you get the benefits and damages you deserve. When you call now, you'll get a risk-free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Plus, we work on a contingency basis. That means you don't pay a penny unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our priority is to help you win!