Have you been seriously injured in an explosion at a chemical plant or refinery? Being injured in an accident is frightening and can be physically devastating. If you’re dealing with the pain and trauma of this kind of accident, we are so sorry. Our experienced Texas plant explosions lawyers at The Bowen Law Firm want to ease your stress by getting you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 713-574-7777 for your free consultation.
The highly flammable and poisonous nature of the materials in chemical plants and refineries make explosions especially dangerous, not only to plant workers, but also local residents nearby. Risks include immediate dangers from fire and explosions, as well as less obvious, long-term ailments, such as respiratory disease or cancer. Having a Texas plant explosions lawyer in your corner will give you the best chance at compensation for your injuries. Contact us today so we can go over the details of your accident in a free case review.
Types of Injuries from Chemical Plant and Refinery Explosions
The types of injuries that can be sustained from chemical plant and refinery explosions are varied, and it’s important to work with lawyers who’ve handled these types of cases. A few examples are:
- Head injuries
- Respiratory damage
- Burn injuries
- Cuts from broken glass
- Loss of limbs
- Eye injuries
- Hearing Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
The long-term repercussions of contamination from chemical plants and refinery explosions also cause harm to employees and to the neighborhood around the plant. Both air and ground water can be contaminated in these accidents, as well as the ground itself. Some examples of long-term conditions that can result from environmental contamination are:
- Cancer
- Neurological disorders
- Respiratory disease
The Kind of Damages You Can Get
Damages for chemical plant and refinery explosion injuries fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages pertain to the financial impact of your injuries. They can be itemized and totaled. A few examples of economic damages are the loss in wages immediately following the accident, and the loss of earning capacity in the future due to the accident. Medical bills for single treatments and surgeries, as well as long term treatments, like physical therapy and counseling, can also be added to economic damages.
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the many ways you may have been harmed that are less visible, but just as painful. These might include pain and suffering, adjusting to a lower standard of living due to diminished ability to earn, anxiety, and depression. A knowledgeable Texas plant explosions lawyer will be able to help you assess your non-economic damages and ensure that they are accounted for in your claim.
You may be able to collect punitive damages if it can be proven that the plant owner and/or employer is guilty of wanton disregard for the safety of others. For example, if an employer intentionally chose not to install a fire suppression system in the plant in order to save money. A skilled Texas plant explosions lawyer will thoroughly examine your case to find out if your claim is eligible for punitive damages.
Mistakes to Avoid in a Plant Explosion Case
It’s hard to imagine anyone trying to blame you for your injuries when there is a plant explosion, but when any sort of damages are involved, insurance companies come into play. Despite the portrayal of insurance companies as protectors of people and property, it is important to remember that they are first and foremost businesses for profit. And the bigger the company at risk, the bigger the insurance company and the higher the stakes. Our experienced Texas plant explosions lawyers know this makes it essential that you do everything you can to strengthen your case. Here are a few ways you can do that.
The first thing you need to do after exposure to a chemical plant and refinery explosion is seek medical treatment. Many people skip this step if they don’t have a blatant injury. This is a mistake. Exposure to hazardous materials could mean future health problems. You need to know what the risks are, what symptoms to be aware of, and what your options are. Bottom line, you need information. The information will help with your care and help build your case.
When you seek medical care, you also strengthen your case, because you establish a timeline and a record of injuries and/or potential future illness. This is where you can prevent the insurance company from derailing your case. Your failure to get medically checked after the accident gives them a chance to claim you weren’t injured. Maybe that you weren’t even exposed.
If you did see a doctor but didn’t maintain your follow up appointments, the insurance company will be able to blame you for not following doctor’s advice, making your own condition worse. Don’t leave yourself open to injustice. Protect your health and your case by seeking out medical care right away.
Another mistake you can easily avoid is speaking to the insurance company. After an accident caused by someone else, especially a large company, you can safely assume your phone will ring. If you take that call, the very sympathetic sounding insurance adjuster will put you at ease, as they are trained to, and most likely get you talking. Remember, the more you say, the more ammunition they have to avoid paying out compensation. That’s because insurance adjusters are skilled at turning your words to their advantage. Our Texas plant explosions lawyers have seen this trick many times, and know how to handle insurance adjusters. Your best bet is to let your lawyer speak to them. Think of it as one less thing you have to worry about.
One of the most damaging mistakes you can make is taking on the insurance company without an experienced lawyer by your side. On your best day, you may be up to the task — if you’re a personal injury lawyer experienced in this specific type of “chess match.” If you’re not, even though you are an intelligent, capable person, you are unlikely to thwart all the moves of the insurance company. Add to that the fact that you are suffering from physical and possibly emotional damage from the accident, and you are not at your best. The last thing you need right now is a negotiation with an insurance company.
Only slightly better is hiring just any attorney. Just as not all types of doctors are alike, not all attorneys are alike. They may be familiar with the law in general terms, but not the specific law pertaining to your specific personal injury case. If this is the case, like you, they may not be ready for going up against the team of attorneys you can count on the insurance company trotting out on their behalf.
There are many facets to be aware of in making an accident insurance claim. On top of the few mentioned here is the potential for your case to go before a jury. Many personal injury cases are settled out of court, but some go the distance. If your case is one of them, you will need an experienced trial lawyer. Our Texas plant explosions lawyers know how to build you the strongest possible claim, and if necessary, how to bring your case successfully through a trial. Call today 713-574-7777 for your free consultation.
Wrongful Death Caused by a Plant Explosion
The devastation wrought by losing a loved one is hard to comprehend. If you lost your loved one due to a plant explosion that you believe could have been prevented, it’s imperative that you find out if you have a wrongful death case.
Compensation for wrongful death can be found in many forms, including things like lost monetary support, lost companionship, lost inheritance, and lost maintenance in the home, among other things. Our Texas plant explosions lawyers are not only experienced in accident injuries, but in wrongful death claims. The Bowen Law Firm will guide you through the details involved in getting fair compensation for your loss.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Among the many crucial factors the success of your case depends on is knowing and making the filing deadline. In the state of Texas, the deadline is two years for filing personal injury cases and wrongful death cases. There are some exceptions under which this might be extended, but they are few and very specific.
Two years may seem far away right now, but time can pass quickly during the course of recovering from catastrophic injury or mourning the loss of a loved one. Don’t let your pain be compounded by not having the chance to get justice. You have enough to handle right now. Let us investigate your case and take care of the deadlines that your case entails. Call our Texas plant explosions lawyers today at 713-574-7777 for a free consultation.
Call Our Texas Plant Explosions Lawyers for a Free Consultation
When you or a loved one has been injured in a plant explosion, the worry, pain, and grief can be overwhelming. Our Texas plant explosions lawyers want to fight for your right to justice. We have the resources to research and gather evidence about the explosion. We know the paperwork requirements and deadlines. We have the negotiation skills to stand up to the insurance company, and the experience to succeed in the courtroom. Call The Bowen Law Firm, PLLC today at 713-574-7777 for your free consultation.