Chemical Plant Accidents in Louisiana
From St. Bernard Parish to the River Parishes to Lake Charles, workers are employed in chemical plants all around Louisiana. These jobs can be highly rewarding and can lead to long and fulfilling careers that can take care of Louisiana families. However, this work is not without dangers.
From the Thiokol-Woodbine explosion to the Houston Chemical Complex Disaster and finally the Sterlington plant explosion. These are some of the worst chemical plant accidents in United States history, which led to hundreds of people being injured and more than three hundred people being killed.
The cases above highlight the imminent danger that lurks in most of our chemical plants. This is not to say that chemical plants are not beneficial since they contribute approximately $226 billion to the U.S GDP and at the same time contribute to approximately 4.4 million jobs. But the fact that they contribute to grievous harm and injuries is somewhat worrying.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a chemical plant accident or any type of industrial accident for that matter, it is essential to understand some of your legal rights. Here is a brief explanation of what you need to know about chemical plant accidents.
What Causes Chemical Plant Accidents?
Chemical plant accidents are often attributed to two primary causes: human error and natural causes. Human error is said to contribute to about 95% of all the chemical plant accidents that have been investigated. For example, in the BP Texas explosion in 2005, three human factors deemed to be the significant contributors to the chemical plant accident included lack of training, procedure deviations, and poor safety culture, all of which indicated human errors.
Natural causes are very rare. However, one incident due to natural causes is the 2017 chemical plant explosion following Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Also, reports suggest that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster resulted from a tsunami triggered by an earthquake.
In addition, the U.S Environmental protection Agency has identified the following causes of chemical plant accidents:
- Ignorance of potential problems which the plant owners we’re aware of
- Inappropriate and poorly designed equipment
- Inadequate hazard review or process hazard analysis
- Inadequate indications of process conditions.
Put briefly, although natural causes can play a role, chemical plant accidents are typically caused by negligence and carelessness.
Types of Injuries
The following are some of the injuries that may arise as a result of chemical plant explosions:
- Skin burns and lung damage;
- Physical injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries caused by falls, heavy equipment trauma, or explosions;
- Lacerations and puncture wounds;
- Poisoning due to exposure to toxic chemicals;
- Concussions from head trauma; and
This list is not meant to cover every possible accident but rather to simply give an idea of some of the ways that workers can suffer injuries at chemical plants.
How Dangerous is a Chemical Plant Explosion?
Chemical plants are inherently dangerous. The devastating chemical plant accident in Bhopal, India, is one of the worst in history. The accident occurred following the release of at least 30 tons of highly toxic gases and other poisonous gases. As a result, approximately 15,000 people have been killed over the years due to the explosion and exposure to toxic gases. It is alleged that there was an evasion of corporate responsibility. This incident highlights the danger posed by chemical plant explosions.
How Can Chemical Accidents be Prevented?
To prevent chemical plant accidents, or at the very least minimize them, the leading causes of such accidents need to be addressed. In other words, employers in the industries need to take precautionary measures to ensure that the workplace is safe.
This can be achieved through:
- Training employees on how to work safely and avoid accidents
- Completing frequent maintenance and updating equipment
- Installing carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers
- Proper ventilation
- Well maintained safety valves
- Created designated loading/ unloading spots
What You Should Do If You are Injured in a Chemical Plant Accident?
One of the first steps to take is to get medical help as soon as possible. After this, it is imperative to notify your employer in writing that you were injured. This puts them in a position to take the necessary steps -through workers’ compensation insurance- to ensure that your treatment and other expenses are catered for.
If your accident happens in Louisiana, your employer will be obligated to pay for a portion of your wages for the time that you are unable to work and will be required to pay for your medical bills that are related to the accident. You also have the right to choose your doctor. Even if they send you to a company doctor right after the accident, you can still choose to see a doctor of your choosing. Make sure that you are fully comfortable with the medical treatment you receive.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Chemical Plant Accidents?
In addition to a workers’ compensation claim with your employer, third parties may be responsible for your accident and resulting injuries. For example, numerous contractors are often working at the same time at chemical plants. When an employee of one of those contractors causes you to suffer an injury, you may be able to hold their employer responsible. In addition to other contractors, chemical plans sometimes have outside safety companies hired to manage plant workers’ safety. When safety companies fail to protect employees from dangers, they may also be held responsible for resulting injuries.
These are just a couple of examples, and like anything, several things can prevent you from holding another company responsible for your chemical plant accident. This is why it is critically important to discuss your case with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer to understand your unique situation fully.
Get a Free Consultation from The Mahone Firm
After a chemical plant accident, workers often face difficulty navigating through the often challenging legal process. This is because they are confused, traumatized, and also undergoing immense pain. Therefore, it would help if you had an experienced attorney by your side to help you pursue your legal claim.
At The Mahone Firm, we work to ensure that our clients get the compensation they need to get through such a difficult period.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
