Dallas Refinery Explosion Lawyer | Varghese Summersett

If you were injured in a refinery explosion in Dallas, you may be facing catastrophic burns, respiratory damage, and mounting medical bills. Refinery explosions often result from safety violations, equipment failures, or inadequate training. You have the right to hold responsible parties accountable and recover compensation for your injuries.

Varghese Summersett has represented workers injured in some of the most severe industrial accidents in Texas. Our Dallas refinery explosion lawyers understand the complexities of refinery cases and know how to prove negligence when safety protocols break down.

Why Refinery Explosions Happen

Refineries process highly flammable materials under extreme pressure and temperature. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be deadly. The most common causes include equipment failure, inadequate maintenance, improper training, and violations of federal safety standards.

Many explosions trace back to failures in pressure relief systems, corroded pipelines, or defective valves. Others result from human error, such as improper lockout/tagout procedures or failure to monitor gas levels. In some cases, companies knowingly cut corners on safety to save money.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has documented repeated violations at Texas refineries. When explosions occur, investigators often find patterns of neglect that company management chose to ignore.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Refinery Explosion

Multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries. The refinery owner or operator bears primary responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions. Equipment manufacturers can be held liable if defective products contributed to the explosion.

Third-party contractors who performed faulty maintenance or repairs may also be responsible. In some cases, safety inspectors who failed to report known hazards can face liability. Texas law allows injured workers to pursue claims against all parties whose negligence contributed to the accident.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.013, defendants can be held jointly and severally liable when multiple parties contribute to catastrophic injuries. This means you can recover full compensation even if one defendant cannot pay their share.

Injuries From Refinery Explosions

Explosion injuries often require years of treatment and leave permanent scars. Burns are the most common and devastating consequence, ranging from first-degree surface burns to fourth-degree burns that destroy skin, muscle, and bone.

Many victims suffer traumatic brain injuries from the blast wave or being thrown by the explosion. Respiratory damage from inhaling toxic fumes or superheated air can cause permanent lung scarring. Hearing loss, vision damage, and crush injuries are also common.

The psychological impact can be just as severe. Many survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle to return to work in industrial settings. Some injuries, particularly severe burns, require dozens of surgeries and leave victims permanently disabled.

Common Refinery Explosion Injuries Include:

• Second, third, and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts
• Traumatic brain injuries from blast force
• Respiratory damage and chemical exposure
• Amputations from blast trauma or crushing debris
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Shrapnel wounds and internal injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Compensation Available for Explosion Victims

If you were injured in a refinery explosion, you can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses, including all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.

Medical costs for burn victims often exceed $1 million. This includes emergency treatment, multiple surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and pain management. You also deserve compensation for wages lost during recovery and any reduction in your future earning ability.

Non-economic damages address the pain, suffering, and emotional trauma you have endured. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.001, you can recover damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In cases involving gross negligence or willful disregard for safety, Texas law allows punitive damages. These are designed to punish especially reckless behavior and deter future violations. Get the compensation you deserve by working with Dallas refinery explosion lawyers who understand catastrophic injury claims.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims

If you were injured while working at a refinery, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but they typically do not provide full compensation for your losses.

The advantage of a third-party claim is that it allows you to recover full damages, including pain and suffering. You can file a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit simultaneously. Your attorney will coordinate both claims to maximize your total recovery.

Many refinery workers are employed by contractors or subcontractors. This creates additional opportunities to hold multiple parties responsible. Your lawyer will investigate every entity that played a role in the explosion to identify all available sources of compensation.

How Fault Is Proven in Refinery Explosion Cases

Proving liability in a refinery explosion requires extensive investigation and expert analysis. Your attorney will review incident reports, safety inspection records, maintenance logs, and employee training documentation. Expert witnesses, including engineers and safety consultants, help establish how the explosion occurred and who failed to prevent it.

OSHA investigation reports often provide critical evidence. These reports document safety violations and can show a pattern of negligence. Your legal team will also interview witnesses, review surveillance footage, and consult with accident reconstruction specialists.

In many cases, the evidence shows that multiple parties ignored warning signs. Companies sometimes prioritize production over safety, creating a culture where workers are pressured to take dangerous shortcuts. When this pattern is established, it strengthens your claim for punitive damages.

The Claims Process After a Refinery Explosion

The path to compensation typically begins with medical treatment and documentation. Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Some explosion-related injuries, such as internal trauma or chemical exposure, may not be immediately apparent.

Your Dallas refinery explosion lawyer will send preservation letters to all potentially liable parties. These letters require them to preserve evidence related to the explosion. This includes equipment, maintenance records, and internal communications. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly before the full extent of your injuries is known.

Most cases resolve through settlement negotiations, but your attorney must be prepared to take the case to trial. Insurance companies are more likely to offer fair settlements when they know you have trial-ready representation. The process can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of your injuries and the number of defendants involved.

What to Expect After a Refinery Explosion

The days and weeks following a refinery explosion can feel overwhelming. Focus first on your medical care and recovery. Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, including doctor visits, medications, and therapy sessions.

Document everything related to your accident. Take photos of your injuries and save all medical bills and pay stubs showing lost wages. Do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney first. What you say can be used to minimize your claim.

Your employer and insurance companies will conduct their own investigations. They will look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. Having legal representation from the beginning protects your rights and ensures evidence is properly preserved.

Why Insurance Companies Fight Refinery Claims

Refinery explosion cases often involve millions of dollars in damages. Insurance companies have a financial incentive to deny or minimize these claims. They will scrutinize every aspect of your case, looking for reasons to reduce what they owe.

Common tactics include arguing that you contributed to the accident, claiming your injuries are not as severe as you say, or disputing whether certain medical treatments are necessary. They may offer a quick settlement that sounds substantial but falls far short of covering your long-term needs.

Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working to protect their company’s bottom line. They may seem friendly and helpful while gathering information to use against you. This is why it is essential to have an experienced attorney handling all communications with insurance companies.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

When you hire Varghese Summersett, you get a team with the resources and experience to handle complex industrial accident cases. We begin with a thorough investigation, working with experts to document every detail of how the explosion occurred and who is responsible.

Our Dallas refinery explosion lawyers have access to top medical experts who can evaluate your injuries and testify about your long-term prognosis. We work with economists to calculate the full value of your lost earning capacity and future medical needs. This ensures we are fighting for maximum compensation, not just a quick settlement.

You will have direct access to your attorney throughout the process. We understand that this is one of the most difficult times in your life, and you deserve answers when you have questions. Our team operates from offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Southlake, with legal professionals dedicated to getting results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a refinery explosion lawsuit in Texas?

Texas gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under most circumstances. If the explosion resulted in a death, surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation, so act quickly to protect your rights.

What if I was partly at fault for the explosion?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $1 million, you can recover $800,000. An experienced attorney can challenge allegations that you contributed to the explosion.

Can I sue if I already received workers’ compensation?

Yes. Workers’ compensation is separate from a third-party liability claim. You can pursue both simultaneously. Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits and does not include compensation for pain and suffering. A third-party lawsuit allows you to recover full damages from parties other than your direct employer, such as equipment manufacturers or maintenance contractors.

What if the explosion killed a family member?

Under Texas wrongful death law, certain family members can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their loss. Eligible parties include the deceased’s spouse, children, and parents. Damages in wrongful death cases include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. These cases must be filed within two years of the death.

How is a refinery explosion case different from other workplace accidents?

Refinery cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. They often involve multiple defendants, extensive technical evidence, and catastrophic injuries requiring expert testimony. These cases require attorneys with experience in industrial accidents, knowledge of federal safety regulations, and access to engineering experts. The stakes are higher, and insurance companies fight harder to minimize liability.