HOW DO CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSIONS OCCUR?

Chemical plant explosions can happen in a variety of ways. Most of these explosions, however, are caused by human error.

Some of the main causes of explosions include:

• Inadequate employee safety training
• Noncompliance with state and federal laws
• Improper storage or combination of chemicals
• Inadequate safety gear
• Unsafe conditions or procedures
• Poorly maintained or defective equipment

When a chemical plant owner, operator, or employee acts negligently, leading to an explosion, fire, or similar disaster, they can be held liable for victims’ resulting injuries, losses, and damages. We encourage you to contact our chemical plant explosion and fire attorneys to discuss your legal rights and options during a free and confidential consultation.

THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSIONS & FIRES

When an explosion occurs, it creates a blast wave that can cause severe harm to anyone within its radius. Explosions and fires are the most common types of accidents seen in plant refineries and can cause devastating injuries to those nearby.

Some of the most common injuries resulting from chemical plant fires and explosions include:

• Blast lung
• Burn injuries
• Eye and face injuries
• Hearing damage and loss
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic amputation
• Long-term effects, such as cancer or other illnesses
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Head injuries
• Middle-ear damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Traumatic brain injuries

These and other injuries arising from chemical plant fires and explosions often have long-lasting or even lifelong implications for victims and their families. Those who survive may suffer permanent disabilities, disfigurement, and impairments that prevent them from returning to work or obtaining any gainful employment whatsoever. Victims nearly always require hospitalization, multiple treatments and surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, and additional medical care.

If you or your loved one suffered a catastrophic injury due to an explosion or fire at a chemical plant, or if you were diagnosed with a related illness or medical condition, it is important that you work with a lawyer who understands the long-term and future damages you face. At Potts Law Firm, we work tirelessly to obtain settlements and verdicts that not only compensate our clients for their immediate losses but also their future needs.

WHAT DAMAGES ARE AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS OF CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSIONS & FIRES?

The exact damages and overall value of your claim depend on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries and the cost of medical care, as well as any projected future expenses you are likely to incur as a result of your injuries. That being said, many victims of these incidents are able to recover certain types of damages in single-plaintiff lawsuits and toxic tort litigation.

Examples of common damages in chemical plant explosion and fire cases include:

• Actual Damages: Actual damages include tangible and intangible losses you have suffered as a result of the event, such as loss of income, loss of earning capacity, medical costs, pain and suffering, etc.
• Consequential Damages: Also known as special damages, consequential damages are losses resulting from the failure of one party to meet its obligations to another, such as a breach of contract.
• Exemplary Damages: Exemplary damages, or punitive damages, are awarded in rare circumstances when the defendant is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful disregard for the safety of others.

We have handled countless claims against major corporations for causing harm to factory workers and neighboring residents. If you have been injured or your loved one was killed due to a plant explosion, please contact us. There are various types of damages victims of plant explosions can receive. We urge you to seek the advice of one of our attorneys who focuses on this field to help ensure you recoup as much as possible for your losses.