Undefeated Texas Refinery Accident Lawyers
“I was injured in a refinery accident — what are my legal options? What should I do next?”
These are two of the most urgent questions we hear from injured workers and their families after a catastrophic plant or refinery explosion. And they’re exactly why we created this FAQ.
At Zehl & Associates, we’ve represented hundreds of plant, refinery, and oilfield workers who were seriously injured in some of the most devastating industrial accidents in Texas and across the country. We’ve won Billions for our clients—including the #1 largest verdicts and settlements in history against the biggest names in the energy industry.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a plant or refinery accident in Houston, Texas, you’re likely facing a flood of uncertainty—about your health, your job, and your future. This FAQ answers the most common questions about what to do, what to expect, and why it’s crucial to contact an undefeated plant & refinery accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What Should I Do After a Plant or Refinery Accident?
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed after a plant or refinery accident, but acting quickly—and cautiously—is critical to protecting both your health and your right to compensation. After an accident, you should:
- Report the incident to your supervisor in writing: Notify your supervisor in writing as soon as possible, keeping it factual and avoiding speculation or accepting blame.
- Seek immediate medical attention: Get checked immediately, even if you feel fine, as serious injuries may not show symptoms right away. This also creates important documentation for your case.
- Don’t speak to the company’s insurance or safety investigators: Do not speak with the company’s insurance or safety investigators without consulting a lawyer first.
- Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment: Attend all appointments, avoid gaps in treatment, and document all medical costs.
- Stay off social media and limit who you talk to: Avoid discussing the accident on social media or with anyone except your spouse and attorney. Insurance companies monitor online activity and may use it against you.
Taking the above steps can ensure any potential claim is protected and you have the best chance at recovering compensation.
Who Can I Sue After a Plant or Refinery Accident?
In our experience, there is often more than one party legally responsible for a plant or refinery accident and the resulting injuries and deaths. Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to sue:
- An employer without workers’ compensation who failed to provide a safe work environment
- A third-party contractor who caused or contributed to the incident
- The owner or operator of the facility
- The manufacturer or distributor of defective equipment, machinery, or safety gear
- Maintenance companies responsible for faulty repairs
These cases often involve multiple companies working on the same job site, so a thorough investigation is critical. Identifying every liable party—and holding them accountable—can dramatically increase the compensation available to you and your family.
What Are My Options if My Employer Doesn’t Carry Workers’ Compensation?
Unfortunately, Texas doesn’t require employers to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. However, if your employer is among those that have opted out, you have the right to sue them directly for negligence. Unlike Workers’ Comp, where fault doesn’t matter, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to recover full damages if your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury.
If you file a personal injury lawsuit, you won’t be subjected to Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule. This is because Texas law bars employers who do not carry workers’ compensation from bringing up an employee’s negligence as a defense. If your employer is even 1% liable, they will be required to compensate you for all of your damages.
Why Can’t I Count On Workers’ Comp After a Plant or Refinery Accident?
Even if your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, it rarely covers everything you’ll need after a serious injury. Workers’ compensation pays only a portion of your wages for a limited time, and you typically must see company-approved doctors. It also doesn’t cover pain and suffering, future lost earnings, or long-term disability—even if you can’t return to the same kind of work.
Because workers’ compensation alone is unlikely to come close to the full cost of a life-changing injury, it’s essential to talk with a lawyer with experience handling catastrophic plant and refinery cases.
What Damages Might I Recover If My Lawsuit is Successful?
A successful personal injury lawsuit would allow you to recover a wide range of damages that go far beyond what compensation provides, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic (monetary) damages you might be able to recover include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehab, and long-term care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify and may include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and mental anguish
- Physical impairment and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In rare cases, Texas law may also allow for punitive damages—also called exemplary damages—in cases where the defendant acted with gross negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File Suit After a Work-Related Injury in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury or death. If you don’t file within that time, you could lose your right to recover compensation entirely.
If you are able to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must report your injury or illness within 30 days of your accident. You must then complete and send it DWC Form-041 within one year of your accident.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer After a Plant or Refinery Accident?
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you pay nothing unless the case is successful. Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning all legal costs are advanced, and a fee is only collected if compensation is recovered. If the case is not won, there are no fees — no hourly charges, no surprise bills, and no financial risk.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Plant & Refinery Accident Attorneys from Zehl & Associates for Help Today, Call (888) 603-3636
With Billions won for injured workers and their families, Refinery Explosion Lawyers have repeatedly taken on the largest energy companies in the world after the most catastrophic plant, refinery, and pipeline accidents in history. We know the extreme lengths these corporations will go to avoid responsibility—and we never back down until they’re held fully accountable.
For more information, please contact our plant & refinery attorneys in Houston, Texas at Zehl & Associates to schedule a free consultation today.
Zehl & Associates – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
