Laborde Earles helps plant and refinery explosions victims fight for the financial recovery they need. One of our highest verdicts and settlement earnings was a $42 million settlement we won for a client severely burned in a plant explosion. A pipe burst caused the explosion, but the facility denied liability. We stepped in to help our client, whose initial recourse was only a workers’ compensation action until we got involved.
If you or a loved one also suffered a catastrophic injury in a plant or refinery explosion, our legal team wants to hear about your case. We can assign a St. John the Baptist Parish plant and refinery explosion lawyer to represent your case, then begin investigating your accident to identify liable parties and gather evidence on your behalf. We offer the first consultation for free.
Plant and Refinery Explosions Stem From Hazards at the Work Environment
With several hazards present at chemical and oil plants and refineries, workers can fall victim to accidents every year. WAFB reported a recent accident in St. John the Baptist Parish at Marathon Petroleum, where a fire caused by an on-site explosion at the plant injured people.
Other hazards that can be present at plants and refineries that could lead to explosions or other accidents include:
- Fire and other flammable hazards
- Electric hazards
- Toxic chemical emissions
- Machinery or equipment corrosion
- Failure to fulfill machinery or equipment maintenance
- Reckless worker behavior on the premises, such as smoking or drinking alcohol at the plant
If you take legal action against the plant or refinery where the explosion occurred, our firm can assign a plant or oil refinery explosion attorney to investigate your case and determine the accident’s cause. From there, we will identify all potentially liable parties and help you determine how much compensation to pursue based on your damages.
You May Qualify for Compensation if You Suffered a Catastrophic Injury
Plant and refinery explosion cases fall under personal injury law, which allows accident victims who suffered severe or even catastrophic injuries to demand compensation from the negligent parties who caused their losses. For example, you could pursue a personal injury case if you suffered any of the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Bone fractures, sprains, or strains
- Chemical burns
- Burns caused by fires
- Loss of limb or other body part (e.g., hands or feet)
- Internal bleeding and bruising
- Organ damage or failure, such as kidney failure
- Cancer or other long-term illnesses
Other injuries can also stem from environmental damage caused by plants or refineries. For example, 4WWL reported on a case involving St. John the Baptist Parish activists who advocated for legal action against Denka Performance Elastomer. One of its plants in the parish has been releasing chemical fumes and polluting the air.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intervened to investigate reports from residents who developed illnesses potentially because of the contaminated air and then helped file a suit. The case is ongoing.
Our Legal Team Can Determine Who Is Liable for Your Injuries and Damages
While plant and refinery companies may be the initial liable party mentioned in an explosion case on the premises, the reality is various third parties can have partial liability.
Third parties such as contractors, equipment and machinery manufacturers, and rental companies for equipment and machinery can be liable if their faulty work or defective products contributed to the cause of an explosion.
Your Case May Be Among Others Against Louisiana Plants and Refineries
Our legal team will investigate your accident thoroughly so we can hold the appropriate party or parties accountable for your damages. We also recognize some of the main plants and refineries in St. John the Baptist Parish, such as:
- Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC): One of the nation’s largest refining system companies, MPC faces potential legal action after six employees suffered injuries in an on-site explosion in one of its Louisiana plants.
- Denka Plant: Denka operates in the former DuPont facility in LaPlace, Louisiana. This plant is currently facing legal action by the EPA after chloroprene, a carcinogenic, was found contaminating the air because of chemical emissions from the plant.
- Evonik Corporation: Evonik produces specialty chemicals for manufacturers to use in their products. This company faces legal action for exposing 14 employees in St. John the Baptist Parish to toxic chemicals, which they allege led them to develop cancer, per Jones v. Evonik Corp.
We Can Calculate How Much Compensation to Demand for Your Damages
If you decide to pursue legal action, you may be able to demand compensation for damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Impaired quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium or other wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one in a plant or refinery explosion
Our legal team will review your potential damages after hearing your case, then calculate a monetary figure that we will use to guide us on how much compensation to pursue on your behalf.
How Our St. John the Baptist Plant and Refinery Explosion Lawyer Can Help You
When you work with a personal injury attorney from Laborde Earles, our legal team will promptly start providing you with services to build your case. For example, we will:
- Investigate your accident to identify all potentially liable parties and collect evidence
- Interview witnesses or experts who can provide analysis testimony for your case
- Fill out paperwork and submit them within Louisiana’s statute of limitations written in CC Art. 3492 and CC Art. 2315.2
- Communicate with all involved parties on your behalf and relay messages to you, such as whether you received a settlement offer
- Provide legal counsel to help you make case decisions, such as whether you should file a lawsuit or continue with a workers’ compensation claim
- Prepare your case for trial and present your claims in front of a judge and jury if necessary
If you have other questions about our services, one of our team representatives can explain further in your free first consultation.
Call Laborde Earles Today to Get a Free Case Review From Our Team
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury because of a plant or refinery explosion in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA, you may have legal grounds to pursue compensation from the plant company or a related third party.
Laborde Earles’ legal team can give you a free case review when you call and go over your legal options to seek financial recovery. We can explain how a St. John the Baptist Parish plant and refinery explosion lawyer from our firm can help you and start working for you right away.