ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injured Several Contractors

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) March 14, 2022 – The explosion at an ExxonMobil refinery near Houston recently points out how dangerous working in the oil industry can be. Four workers were seriously injured.

One of the biggest risks working in the oil industry is explosions and fires. There are approximately 100 oil rig fires each year, or roughly one every three days. Deaths in oil rig accidents are underreported due to missing and inconsistent data, and loopholes allowing some deaths to go unreported. Of the 83 known offshore fatalities between 2005 and 2019, about 30 percent were classified as “non-occupational.”

What happened at the ExxonMobil refinery was the result of four contractors sealing a leaking pipe filled with naphthalene, an extremely flammable gas. A valve wrench sparked and ignited the gas. Workers involved in the explosion jumped 20 feet to safety, suffering from spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and broken legs. One mistake on the job can result in serious injuries and/or death.

Since the explosion, some of the workers claim ExxonMobil failed to adequately supervise work, did not implement a safety plan, did not warn about potential hazards, and conditions were such that workers and contractors were doing their jobs in dangerous conditions.

“This is a tough situation for the onsite workers,” said Austin personal injury attorney, Brooks Schuelke, who is not involved in the case. “And, chances are it is going to take a long time to sort out settlements for the workers’ injuries.” In the meantime, burns caused by an explosion mean an injured worker cannot do their jobs for extended periods. The medical bills from an incident like this would be astronomical.

Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits can be complex and take time to resolve. An accident such as the one at the ExxonMobil refinery highlights the difficulties injured workers/contractors face in seeking compensation for their injuries. Often they may need a large settlement to deal with their serious injuries that take time to heal.

“If you have sustained burns in a workplace accident, and a third-party was negligent, you may have a compensation claim,” added Schuelke. “These situations are complex and every facet needs to be examined to determine how to proceed, and how to protect your legal rights.”

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