Plant & Refinery Injury Lawyers

When a refinery or plant explosion rips through a community, it leaves behind devastation that extends far beyond the blast site. Workers are injured, families are torn apart, and the truth often lies buried under corporate silence. A refinery injury lawyer at Daly & Black, P.C. fights to uncover that truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to. Our firm has stood with injured workers and grieving families across Houston and the Gulf Coast—relentless in our pursuit of justice.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a refinery or plant accident, contact Daly & Black today.

Why Refinery & Plant Cases Are Different

Refinery and plant injury cases demand far more than basic workplace litigation. These are high-hazard environments governed by strict federal and industry safety standards—rules designed to prevent the very explosions, fires, and chemical releases that cause catastrophic harm. When companies ignore these safeguards, lives are lost.

The Rules That Matter: OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM)

Under OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (29 CFR 1910.119), refinery operators are required to control hazardous chemicals and manage mechanical integrity, training, and emergency planning. When these systems fail—or worse, are neglected—the result can be catastrophic. Our attorneys understand how to identify these violations, connect them to corporate negligence, and use them to strengthen your case.

Maintenance, Turnaround, and Startup Hazards

Many refinery explosions occur during maintenance shutdowns or start-up periods when contractors flood the site, systems are being cleaned or repaired, and process changes are under way. These moments are high-risk due to incomplete purges, faulty isolation, or communication breakdowns between operators and contractors. Daly & Black has the experience to investigate these complex conditions, holding all responsible parties to account.

Common Causes We Investigate

Refinery and plant accidents can result from a wide range of safety failures. Our investigations often uncover:

• Equipment failure due to poor maintenance or corrosion
• Inadequate operator training and supervision
• Improper lockout/tagout or hot work procedures
• Defective design or manufacturing of equipment 
• Violations of PSM requirements
• Ignition of flammable vapors or gas leaks
• Electrical faults, overpressure incidents, or valve failures
• Lapses in emergency response planning

Each case requires a unique strategy. Our attorneys collaborate with process engineers, safety experts, and metallurgists to uncover the root cause of each disaster and expose the negligence that led to it.

Who May Be Liable

Plant and refinery injury cases often involve multiple defendants. Our team pursues accountability across the entire chain of responsibility.

Owners & Operators

Corporations that own or operate refineries must implement and enforce strict safety programs. When they fail to maintain equipment, update procedures, or protect workers, they may be held liable for negligence. These failures often connect directly to preventable safety breakdowns that can be linked to refinery and plant explosions.

Contractors & Subcontractors

Maintenance and turnaround work typically involves dozens of independent contractors. When oversight lapses, the risk of explosion rises. Daly & Black investigates whether contractors followed proper procedures and whether the site operator ensured safe coordination.

Equipment Manufacturers & Designers

Defective valves, pumps, sensors, or control systems can spark catastrophic incidents. When design flaws or inadequate warnings contribute to an explosion, our attorneys pursue claims against the manufacturers and engineers involved. These cases often align with our Defective Product Lawyer practice area, allowing victims to recover damages from negligent manufacturers whose equipment contributed to refinery or plant failures.

Employer Negligence & Non-Subscriber Cases

Employment structures vary by state, and not all employers are protected by workers’ compensation. When companies fail to provide adequate coverage or safety oversight, our attorneys pursue direct negligence actions to ensure workers and their families are protected.

What To Do After a Refinery Explosion or Plant Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured, the steps you take immediately after an incident can shape your recovery and your legal options:

• Seek medical attention immediately. Even mild symptoms can indicate serious injuries or toxic exposure.
• Report the incident through proper channels, but avoid recorded statements to insurers or employers without legal counsel.
• Preserve evidence—photographs, witness contacts, PPE, or damaged clothing can make a critical difference.
• Contact a refinery accident lawyer as soon as possible to secure experts and protect your claim.

Our team moves quickly to issue preservation letters and begin independent investigations before evidence disappears.

Damages & How We Build Your Case

Victims of refinery and plant accidents often suffer catastrophic harm, from burns and inhalation injuries to amputations and fatalities. Compensation in these cases may include:

Medical Expenses and Long-Term Care

Serious refinery or plant injuries often result in extensive medical treatment—hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. Victims may also require lifetime medical care or assistive devices. Our attorneys calculate both immediate and future healthcare costs to ensure complete compensation.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

Injured workers often face months or years away from work. We evaluate all lost income and future earning potential, including retraining or vocational rehabilitation where possible, to secure fair recovery.

Pain, Emotional Suffering, and Loss of Quality of Life

Industrial accidents cause physical pain and emotional trauma that extend far beyond medical bills. Compensation can address chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and diminished ability to enjoy life.

Wrongful Death and Survivor Benefits for Family Members

When a refinery or plant disaster results in a loss of life, surviving families may pursue wrongful death claims for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and lost financial support.

Our legal and expert teams reconstruct the events leading to the disaster—reviewing mechanical integrity data, safety audits, and design documentation—to build a fact-based case for full compensation.

We also evaluate long-term toxic exposure related to refinery work, where ongoing contact with chemicals like benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and silica dust can cause chronic illness and respiratory or neurological conditions. By tracking exposure history and reviewing company safety records, our team connects prolonged workplace hazards to the injuries sustained.

Long-Term Toxic Exposure & Occupational Illness

While explosions and fires make headlines, many refinery workers suffer from invisible, slow-developing harm caused by long-term toxic exposure. Over years of contact with hydrocarbons, solvents, and heavy metals, workers may experience serious health consequences such as:

• Chronic respiratory conditions and lung damage
• Neurological disorders linked to chemical exposure
• Blood and bone marrow diseases caused by benzene
• Skin, liver, and kidney toxicity
• Occupational cancers from long-term inhalation or absorption

These cases require extensive investigation—often involving industrial hygienists, toxicologists, and medical specialists to link exposure patterns to specific workplace conditions. Daly & Black builds these claims with the same rigor as catastrophic injury cases, ensuring that workers suffering from chronic occupational illness are not overlooked or dismissed.

Our attorneys pursue justice for refinery employees and contractors affected by decades of unsafe chemical management, inadequate ventilation, and neglected protective equipment policies.

Types of Injuries in Plant & Refinery Accidents

Explosions, fires, and chemical releases at industrial sites can lead to devastating, life-altering injuries. These cases often overlap with several of our firm’s focused practice areas:

• Severe Burn Injuries: Thermal and chemical burns that require extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Caused by blast waves, flying debris, or falls from height during explosions.
• Spinal Cord and Orthopedic Injuries: Crush injuries, fractures, and long-term mobility impairment.
• Toxic Exposure and Inhalation Injuries: Resulting from leaks of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, benzene, and other hazardous chemicals.
• Wrongful Death Claims: For families who lose loved ones in catastrophic refinery or plant incidents.

These internal links allow readers to explore our in-depth pages on burn injuries, TBI claims, toxic exposure, and wrongful death cases. By interconnecting these pages, Daly & Black provides a full resource hub for industrial accident victims and their families.

Deadlines & Jurisdiction

Statutes of limitations for industrial injury and refinery accident cases vary by state, typically ranging from one to three years from the date of injury or death. Some jurisdictions—such as Texas and Louisiana—generally allow two years, while others differ. Federal maritime and contractor claims may follow their own timelines, making early consultation critical.

For toxic exposure or occupational illness claims, many states apply a “discovery rule,” meaning the filing period starts when a worker reasonably discovers their condition or its link to workplace exposure, not on the initial exposure date. Some jurisdictions also have occupational disease statutes or unique workers’ compensation timelines that can lengthen or shorten the filing window.

Workers’ Compensation Deadlines

Workers’ compensation claims follow separate timelines from standard personal injury suits, with similar frameworks across Texas and Louisiana but strict enforcement of reporting and filing windows.

In both states, employees must generally report a work-related injury or illness within 30 days of the incident or from when they knew the condition was job-related. The formal claim for workers’ compensation benefits must be filed within one year of the accident or diagnosis.

Under Texas Labor Code § 409.001 and Louisiana Revised Statute 23:1209, missing either the 30-day notice or one-year filing deadline can result in denial of benefits—even if the claim is valid. These laws also recognize exceptions for occupational illnesses that develop over time, allowing the one-year period to begin when the illness becomes reasonably discoverable.

Because these rules are strictly enforced, acting promptly and consulting a refinery injury attorney experienced in state-specific workers’ compensation laws is critical to preserving your rights.

Why Choose Daly & Black for Refinery & Plant Injury Cases

Choosing the right law firm after a refinery or plant accident can make all the difference in your recovery and peace of mind. At Daly & Black we combine fierce advocacy with compassionate communication and a results-driven mindset.

We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

Justice should never depend on your ability to pay. Daly & Black, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No hidden fees. Just committed legal representation focused on securing your recovery.

Relentless Advocacy in Every Case

Most firms negotiate on the insurance company’s terms—we don’t. We thrive in litigation and aren’t afraid of the courtroom. When corporations or insurers refuse to pay what’s fair, we push harder, uncovering the evidence they’d rather keep hidden.

Compassionate Communication & Guidance

After a devastating accident, you shouldn’t have to fight alone. From your first consultation through resolution, our team handles the legal heavy lifting while keeping you informed and empowered. You focus on recovery—we handle the fight.

Proven Strength, Backed by Experience

Our attorneys combine courtroom skill with deep process-safety knowledge, working alongside industry experts to expose negligence at every level. We represent injured workers and families nationwide in catastrophic industrial litigation—and we don’t back down from billion-dollar corporations.

Schedule your FREE consultation to see why Daly & Black is ALL IN. ALL THE TIME.

FAQs

What does a refinery accident lawyer do?

A refinery accident lawyer investigates the cause of refinery and plant explosions, identifies regulatory violations, and represents injured workers or families in claims for compensation. At Daly & Black, we coordinate independent experts, manage complex discovery, and negotiate or litigate for maximum recovery.

Who is liable after a refinery explosion?

Multiple parties may share liability, including the refinery operator, equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, and non-subscriber employers. Each case requires a detailed analysis of contracts, safety records, and OSHA compliance data.

How can a lawyer help with a plant injury claim?

Your attorney gathers evidence, preserves safety documentation, calculates damages, and manages all communications with employers and insurers. They also bring in technical experts to prove fault and strengthen your case for compensation.

What compensation can refinery accident victims pursue?

Victims may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning potential, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. Every claim is evaluated individually based on the facts and applicable law.

Why choose a Houston refinery accident lawyer at Daly & Black?

Our firm combines legal precision with deep process-safety knowledge. We know the Houston refinery corridor, the contractors, and the corporations involved. When your life and livelihood are at stake, Daly & Black stands ready to fight.

Speak with a Refinery Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured in a refinery or plant explosion, don’t face the aftermath alone. Speak with a refinery accident lawyer at Daly & Black, P.C. today. We’re ready to investigate your case, hold negligent parties accountable, and help you rebuild your life.

Call now or schedule your FREE consultation.