What Are the Causes of Plant Fires and Explosions? How They Happen

What Causes Plant Explosions in Texas

A fire at a plant or refinery can be terrifying—and can lead to serious injuries or even death for those who are caught up in the blaze.

These frightening events can occur suddenly, and because of the many chemicals and other flammable materials often found in plants and refineries, they can flare out of control in the blink of an eye.

Because of this, if you or someone you love was involved in a refinery fire, you need a Pasadena personal injury lawyer experienced with plant explosion burn injuries by your side to help recover compensation for the damages you've suffered.

Common Causes of Fires at Plants and Refineries

There are a number of different problems that might lead to a fire in the workplace. These include (but are not limited to):

• Employer failure to maintain safe conditions in the workplace
• Faulty wiring
• Defective equipment and machinery
• An explosion that develops into a fire
• A mistake made by another employee

Potential Injuries Due to Fires at Plants and Refineries

Fires are dangerous in a number of different ways. Perhaps the most obvious injuries sustained in fires are burns. If a person comes into direct contact with the fire, they can suffer severe burns. These burns can lead to permanent scarring, nerve damage, and loss of function in the affected part of the body.

But even if you are not directly burned, you can still suffer injuries in a fire, including damage to your lungs due to smoke inhalation and/or the inhalation of toxic chemicals that may be released into the air during the conflagration.

Eye irritation and damage are also possible. These sorts of injuries can be extremely serious and have a permanent impact on your life and ability to work. When these types of injuries occur, it's very important to have skilled and experienced Houston personal injury lawyers on your side.

What You Should Do After a Workplace Fire

If you are injured in a chemical plant fire, the very first thing you should do is get the medical care you need. This is, of course, essential for your health, but it can also be important to your personal injury case because you need a complete and detailed record of your injuries and their aftermath.

You will also want to report your injuries to your employer and create a record of your experience while the memory is still fresh.

After some workplace accidents, you can collect important witness statements and perhaps take photos of the accident site. This may be difficult after a major fire because you likely will not have access to the area. That makes it even more important than usual that you take the next key step of hiring Houston personal injury lawyers who specialize and have experience with refinery fires and burn injuries.

Your Houston personal injury lawyers will be able to fully investigate the causes and results of the fire. That is important because it can help establish who was at fault for the fire and should be held responsible for compensating you for your injuries. An attorney will also make sure that your employer and their insurance company do not try to convince you to accept a lower offer than you deserve to settle the case.

After all, you are entitled to a fair settlement when you suffer an injury at work and our Houston personal injury lawyers can help you get it.

Possible Compensation Following a Workplace Fire

When it comes to compensation, your first thought is likely to be about getting reimbursed for your immediate medical expenses. That’s important, of course, but it is not the only compensation to which you may be entitled. Your settlement could also include:

• Damages related to ongoing medical expenses, home care, therapy, and the like
• Lost wages and benefits both in the immediate aftermath of the fire and any losses suffered as a result of an inability to work going forward
• Compensation for pain and suffering

Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Get to Work for You

If you work for a nonsubscriber employer (that is, an employer who does not participate in the workers’ comp system), the Houston personal injury lawyers at SJ Injury Attorneys are ready and able to represent your interests after a workplace accident—including fires leading to injuries. We have the experience needed to negotiate with an insurance company effectively, and we will tenaciously argue on your behalf in court if it becomes necessary. If you have been hurt at work, you deserve fair treatment and appropriate compensation.