OIL REFINERY ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE SUFFERED INJURIES AT AN OIL REFINERY, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION.

INJURIES AND WRONGFUL DEATH AT OIL REFINERIES

Attorneys for Oil Refinery Accidents

Recovered Millions for Former Clients Throughout America

Crude oil is refined at oil refineries so that petroleum products like gasoline and heating oil can be made from it. Oil refinery facilities are enormous and comprise miles of intricate pipe and equipment. Therefore, refineries must be adequately maintained, just like any other factory, to avoid accidents. People may suffer severe or fatal injuries if oil refineries are not sufficiently supported.

Highly qualified trial attorneys can assist you if you have suffered severe injuries in an accident.

Our attorneys specialize in resolving oil refinery accidents and will battle tenaciously for your financial recovery and compensation.

Explosions and fires at plants and refineries rob people of their livelihoods, futures, and lives. Refinery fires can result in internal and exterior burns, and the force of an explosion alone can be lethal or seriously harm vital organs. After accidents have robbed people of their security and financial futures, our oil refinery accident attorneys have committed themselves to help victims rebuild their lives. Every judgment or settlement allowed our clients to keep their homes, afford their daily expenses, and receive the long-term care they needed.

We have assisted people throughout the country in taking deep breaths and facing the future without fear or embarrassment. That is our mission. Call (888) 970-MORE for a free consultation to find out how our oil refinery accident attorneys may assist you.

The Superior, Wisconsin, Oil Refinery Explosion

In Superior, Wisconsin, an oil refinery exploded in April 2018. More than 20 people were harmed in the explosion, which was felt for miles. According to a worker, the accident occurred as the refinery was about to shut down for repairs, creating a second refinery fire that had to be put out twice after reigniting. A four-person team from the Chemical Safety Board, a group offering safety advice in the wake of mishaps at oil refineries, was dispatched to investigate the explosion’s cause.

The Texas City Refinery Accident is being examined.
The Texas City explosion in 2005 serves as a contemporary illustration of an oil refinery mishap. Since this refinery was ancient, many people assumed it needed to be adequately maintained. However, just before the explosion, an investigation revealed that some pipes had become too thin, the concrete had cracks, and fumes had been seeping. Because the incident occurred right before the peak oil demand of the summer, machinery was probably operating at total capacity. Fifteen people were killed, and 170 were injured in the explosion. This single terrible incident helps to highlight how crucial it is to keep oil refineries well-maintained and secure. In-depth inspections are necessary for such vast and complex factories to ensure everything operates correctly and safely.

Equipment Defects in Oil Refineries

Defective equipment is one of the most frequent reasons for accidents at plants and refineries. Oil refineries require specialized upkeep because they are distinctive structures. The purpose of oil refineries is to transform crude oil into various forms through processing. Fractional distillation is the method in question. To distill and separate the different types of oil, the oil must be heated to extremely high temperatures (up to 400 degrees Celsius) during the refining process. Numerous essential pieces of equipment are used in this operation, and significant mishaps may result if they are not appropriately maintained.

The massive equipment of an oil refinery consists of the following:

• Pipelines
• Boilers
• Tank storage
• Tanks for treatment
• Heaters\s Pumps

Even while many firms have access to safer technology, they rely on machinery far past its time for a replacement. The operation of the whole depends on each component. There are disastrous effects when pieces are flawed. According to a survey from the EU, out of 137 serious refinery accidents in the previous 30 years, 1 in 5 were the result of rusted, poorly maintained equipment. Defective equipment continues to be the primary contributing factor in significant plant accidents across the country, despite advances in refining expertise and safety technologies.

Equipment Failure in Oil Refineries

When machinery breaks down, serious injuries may result. Therefore, employees should receive adequate training on handling these types of failures because they are a significant risk at oil refineries and should be addressed as soon as they occur.

The proper operation of an oil refinery depends on several different components, including:

• Unit desalter
• Unit of alkylating
Coking machines

The OHSA has studied past accidents and determined that defective equipment was the primary contributing factor. If the oil refinery experienced extensive damage, it might be challenging to determine the accident’s cause; nonetheless, a careful examination typically yields a reason.

The Kleen Energy Systems plant in Connecticut recently experienced a plant explosion. A thorough investigation by OHSA revealed 400+ safety breaches. This proves that accidents are frequently preventable and can be stopped by checking for broken equipment.

Accidents at Oil Refineries Caused by Hidden Corrosion
Metal deterioration happens over time through a process called corrosion. The metal responding to its surroundings naturally causes this wear and tear. For instance, when metal is exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes, frequently resulting in rust and a general weakening of the material. Machine inspectors are constantly looking for any discoloration of metal pieces on any machinery because this oxidation is frequently easy to see. This may be an obvious indication of rusting.

High temperatures can also cause corrosion when a metal is exposed to them. This usually happens at an oil refinery facility because fractional distillation, a process that requires heating crude oil to extremely high temperatures, is necessary to refine the product. High-temperature corrosion occurs when the metal is exposed to hot, contaminated gas. Sulfidation corrosion, one of the most prevalent types of this, is a direct result of the sulfur compound in crude oil. When the temperature reaches 500°F, this begins.

Additional instances of corrosion that frequently happen in refineries include:

• Cracking under High-Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA)
• Keeping Oil Refineries Corrosion-Free
• Other actions can be taken in addition to inspections to assist avoid corrosion.
• Utilizing coatings on machinery is one instance. Typical types of coatings include Plating\s Painting\s Enamel.

There are more sophisticated reactive coatings that can stop corrosion electrically. However, any metal at an oil refinery that is not protected by one of these “anti-corrosion” treatments is at risk of rusting. Therefore inspectors should always be on the lookout for any chipping paint at the facility. In oil refineries, corrosion prevention is of utmost importance. Sadly, even though machine inspectors always look for it, it is only sometimes discovered. Because it is hidden in fissures and other difficult-to-see areas or simply because the technique for checking it was lax, corrosion may go undetected. If that’s the case, hidden decay could become a silent killer and cause catastrophic mishaps.

Owners and managers of oil refineries are accountable.
Establishing a secure workplace is the responsibility of oil and gas firms. The employer may be judged to be at fault even if they are not there when the accident occurs. At oil refineries, workers only inspect machinery to ensure it is in good working condition. Workers’ lives are put in danger when they do not perform their job obligations successfully, and any injuries that follow can be attributed to their carelessness.

Don’t presume a disaster at an oil refinery brought on by defective equipment was unavoidable if you were a part of it. According to statistics, your accident was avoidable, but someone might have been aware that it would occur. Your employer, the maker of the defective equipment, or the facility owner will be held accountable, allowing you to make a claim.

FAQ about Oil Refinery Accidents

WHY ARE ACCIDENTS AT OIL REFINERIES SO OFTEN DISASTROUS?

Although working in a refinery can be rewarding, it can also be expensive for employees and their families. Catastrophic catastrophes can happen if machinery is obsolete or fails or safety regulations are not strictly adhered to. Explosions have the power to demolish refineries and everything in their path. Heavy machinery or dangerous substances can cause a variety of injuries to workers. A devastating oil refinery catastrophe is likely due to the nature of the labor involved, hazardous and flammable ingredients, and complicated industrial equipment.

How do your lawyers look at accidents at oil refineries?
Even though claims involving oil refinery accidents are complicated, it is feasible to build a strong case against the person or parties at fault with the correct tools and industry knowledge. When our team accepts a case of this nature, we collaborate with investigators and safety specialists to examine the available information. We’ll discuss every detail and make every effort to save any evidence that might be lost, misplaced, or destroyed.

To look into an accident at an oil refinery, we frequently employ the following methods:

• Safety statistics
• Records of maintenance Reports of accidents
• Images and other depictions of the event
• The incident’s eyewitness accounts

Our attorneys can seek assistance from experts in accident reconstruction and investigation who know oil refinery fires, explosions, and other mishaps to identify and establish the cause. As always, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that harmed workers’ families receive justice.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A REFINERY ACCIDENT INJURES ME?

Get medical help, let your employer know, and consult an attorney. You can protect your health and your legal right to financial recompense for your medical costs, lost earnings, and other losses by taking these three steps. In addition, it’s crucial to remember that you can have a knowledgeable and compassionate team to handle your case so you can concentrate on healing and spending time with loved ones during the confusing and upsetting period following an oil refinery accident. Call us to find out more about how our company may help you.

Count on Our Oil Refinery Accident Attorneys to Get Justice for You

If an accident at an oil refinery left you hurt, you might be eligible for compensation. Similar instances were handled by our attorneys, who successfully won significant settlements for their clients. From Houston, Texas, to places all around Louisiana, we tenaciously advocate for the rights of victims (as well as across the United States). We are prepared to support you if you are hurt in an oil refinery accident anywhere in the country. There is no justification, in our opinion, for any kind of plant or refinery accident, according to our oil refinery accident lawyers.

Call us if you think any of the following contributed to your accident:

• Carelessness and indifference
• Products with flaws or defects
• Lack of supervision or training
• Hazardous workplace conditions
• A lack of upkeep or attention
• Weak safety regulations

It is worthwhile to speak with an oil refinery accident attorney who can explain your choices even if you are unsure whether you have a case. You do not need to worry about paying a hefty price since our consultations are free, and you will only be charged something if we prevail in your case. One thing that differentiates us from the competition is our contingency fee representation.