Plant & Refinery Accidents: What to Know About Filing a Lawsuit & Recovering Damages

Plant & Refinery Accidents: What to Know About Filing a Lawsuit & Recovering Damage | Undefeated Texas Refinery Explosion Lawyers

Undefeated Refinery Explosion Lawyers

After a serious plant or refinery accident, you can’t afford to leave your future in the company’s hands, no matter how much they promise to “take care of you” or “make things right.” The truth is, the company and its insurers will stop at nothing to avoid responsibility and pay you as little as possible for your injuries and losses. Only an experienced plant and refinery accident lawyer knows how to protect your rights and secure your future.

With Billions won for injured workers, including the largest plant and refinery accident settlements in Texas and Louisiana history, Zehl & Associates has the resources and experience to challenge the largest petrochemical plant operators and refineries in the world and not only win but also set records.

Below, we walk you through what to expect when filing a lawsuit and navigating the legal process — from the days after the accident to long-term medical and financial recovery — so you know exactly what steps to take to protect your rights and secure your future.

Refinery Accident Lawsuits: How We Win Record-Setting Recoveries for Injured Industrial Workers

Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Care After a Refinery Accident

Even if you feel “fine,” many refinery injuries — including burns, concussions, or internal injuries — may not show symptoms right away. Seeing a doctor immediately ensures you get the treatment you need and creates critical medical documentation that will support your claim later.

You have the right to see the doctor of your choice, not just the company doctor. Getting care from an independent medical professional ensures your injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and fully documented.

Step 2: Choose the Best Refinery Accident Lawyer

Time is critical after a refinery or plant accident. Within hours, the company and its insurers will already be working nonstop to discredit your injuries, shift blame, and limit your recovery. You need a lawyer who can move just as fast — and tirelessly.

Look for a law firm with:

A track record of record-setting results on behalf of industrial workers
A reputation for preparing every case for trial
Undefeated in the courtroom against the largest petrochemical corporations in the nation
Client testimonials and online reviews that prove an unwavering commitment to clients

Asking these five key questions can help:

What refinery or plant accident cases have you handled that are similar to mine — and what were the results?
What do you bring to your clients that’s different from other firms?
How soon will you file my lawsuit and start preserving evidence?
What resources do you have — investigators, experts, trial lawyers — to stand up to major corporations?
How will you keep me informed throughout the process, and will I have direct access to my lawyer?

The answers to these questions will tell you whether a firm has the experience, resources, and commitment to fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.

Step 3: File a Lawsuit After a Serious Injury or Wrongful Death

In every plant and refinery accident case we’ve ever been involved with, the incident or explosion was entirely preventable. The only way to hold the company FULLY accountable, prevent future catastrophes, and recover the full compensation you deserve is to file a refinery accident lawsuit. Otherwise, the facility will continue to place profit first.

Your lawyer prepares and files the complaint, formally notifying the responsible parties and officially starting your legal case. Filing promptly preserves your rights and sets the foundation for recovering maximum compensation.

Step 4: Investigate What Really Happened & Preserve Evidence to Prove Fault

This is where an experienced trial team makes all the difference. Only the best teams know what to look for, where to find it, and more importantly, how to use it to prove exactly what happened and how the accident could and should have been prevented.

Our plant explosion lawyers specialize in:

Securing Evidence: Accident reports, photographs, witness statements, and internal company documents must be preserved immediately.
Working with Top Experts: We partner with leading engineers, OSHA compliance specialists, accident reconstructionists, and industry experts to prove exactly what caused the explosion, uncover any OSHA violations, and expose the company’s history of safety violations or negligence.
Combating Industry Tactics: From day one, we stop the company from hiding or destroying evidence. We send formal legal preservation letters requiring them to safeguard all relevant records, video footage, and internal communications. If they destroy, alter, or “lose” evidence — a tactic we see all too often — we hold them accountable in court. In many cases, proving spoliation can significantly strengthen your case and increase the amount you recover.

Step 5: Discovery & Depositions — Uncovering the Truth

During discovery, both sides exchange critical evidence — including safety reports, maintenance logs, internal company communications, and your medical records.

This phase allows us to dig even deeper into the company’s safety failures and decision-making. Through sworn depositions, we can test what supervisors, co-workers, and corporate representatives have said, expose inconsistencies, and confirm whether they followed the law — or tried to avoid responsibility.

Our attorneys carefully prepare you for your deposition so your testimony protects your rights and strengthens your case. We also depose witnesses and experts to build a clear, undeniable record of negligence that can be used in settlement negotiations or at trial.

Step 6: Negotiation & Mediation —Recovering Full Compensation

Negotiation can take different forms. Mediation, for example, involves a neutral third party helping both sides discuss a potential settlement, while other negotiations may happen directly between your attorney and the company. This is where having an experienced trial team makes all the difference.

At Zehl & Associates, we cannot be intimated, outworked, or outmaneuvered by corporations or their teams of lawyers. We will always refuse any offer that doesn’t fully compensate for all of your injuries and losses.

Companies know we never back down, so they take your claim seriously — and many of our clients achieve record-setting settlements before trial even begins.

Our refinery accident attorneys ensure that any settlement fully accounts for all of your past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, rehabilitation and ongoing care, lasting or permanent consequences, and pain and suffering.

Step 7: Taking the Case to Trial

If the company refuses to offer a settlement that fully compensates you, we take your case to trial, where our plant and refinery accident lawyers remain undefeated.

At trial, we present compelling evidence, call expert witnesses, and show the jury the full impact of your injuries — not just on your health and livelihood, but on your future. Our goal is to make sure the jury understands exactly what was taken from you and to demand the maximum possible verdict.

With the largest verdicts and settlements in Texas history — including multiple recoveries over $100 million — we’ve proven time and again that we don’t just win for our clients, we set records.

Step 8: Securing Your Future & Long-Term Financial Planning

When your case is resolved — whether through settlement or trial — our focus is on ensuring you and your family are fully protected for the long term.

At Zehl & Associates, resolution isn’t just about compensation — it’s about making sure you have the resources, care, and security you need to move forward. We make sure you have access to the best tax and financial professionals after your case has been resolved, so that you’re able to continue caring and providing for yourself and your family for the rest of your life.

Step 9: “I’ve Heard About the Appeal Process. What Is This?”

After trial, either party may challenge the court’s decision if they believe there was a legal error. Our experienced attorneys are always prepared to defend or contest a verdict to protect your rights and secure your future.

Legal Timeline: What to Expect Before, During, and After You File a Refinery Accident Lawsuit

At Zehl & Associates our goal is to ensure that our clients and their families are fully and fairly compensated for all their injuries and financial losses, and we do everything possible to resolve their cases quickly.

Every case is unique, and timelines can vary based on the circumstances. But here’s a clear, practical look at what to expect, so you know what steps to take and when.

Immediately After The Accident: Protecting Your Rights

After a plant or refinery accident, time is critical.

In the days following a plant or refinery accident, injured workers often hear from the company or insurance adjusters, pressuring them to accept Workers’ Compensation or sign documents that could limit their legal options and ability to recover the full compensation they deserve. These calls are not about helping you—they’re about protecting the company’s bottom line.

It’s up to you to act quickly:

Contact a refinery accident lawyer immediately: Even if you’re unsure about filing a lawsuit, consulting a skilled lawyer immediately is the safest choice. The right lawyer can stand up to these corporate giants, preserve your legal rights, and ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines for filing a claim. Waiting or trusting the company’s representatives can cost you far more than time—it can cost you your ability to recover fully for your injuries.
Start documenting everything: Medical records, photos of the accident scene, and statements from coworkers or other witnesses. These details can make a significant difference when building your case.
See the doctor of your choice: You have the right to see the doctor you want to, not the doctor the company thinks you should see. Getting care from a trusted medical professional ensures your injuries are properly treated and fully documented, which is critical for protecting your legal rights and pursuing maximum compensation.
Do not sign anything: Avoid signing statements or documents from the company without legal guidance.

Days After the Accident: Filing a Lawsuit

Most refinery accident lawsuits are filed within days and weeks of the injury because waiting too long can jeopardize your claim.

Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, meaning there’s a strict deadline for taking legal action. In refinery accident cases:

Texas: Generally, 2 years from the date of injury (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003)
Louisiana: Generally, 2 years from the date of injury (Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.11)

Acting quickly ensures your lawyer can preserve evidence, speak with witnesses while memories are fresh, and meet the strict deadlines set by state law.

12-18 Months After the Accident: Securing Your Future

In our experience, most refinery accident lawsuits resolve in 12 to 18 months, though with aggressive preparation and skilled negotiation, some cases are successfully settled in under a year.

The duration of a refinery accident case can vary based on:

The plant or refinery’s location
The severity of the explosion or injury
Court scheduling and trial availability
The strength of your evidence and your lawyer’s approach

The ultimate goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible without unnecessary delays. A knowledgeable attorney will guide you through every step, keeping you informed and supported from your first call to the resolution of your claim.

Longterm: Medical Treatment & Financial Planning

Recovering physically and legally go hand in hand. In addition to ensuring that industrial workers receive the maximum compensation possible, our Chemical Plant Explosion Lawyers and staff make sure that you have:

Top doctors and medical providers to treat your injuries
Medical bills and necessary living expenses paid while your case is pending
Around-the-clock support, so you can focus on what matters most
Financial advisors to protect your settlement once your case has been resolved

Thorough medical care ensures that your injuries are properly recorded, and that lasting or even permanent consequences are clearly established—key factors in securing full compensation.

Billions Won for Refinery Accident Victims

If you were injured in an accident at a Valero, ExxonMobil, Shell, Marathon or other refinery or chemical plant, you deserve a team that stands by you every step of the way.

At Zehl & Associates, we are deeply committed to fighting for refinery accident victims, ensuring they receive the care, support, and full compensation they deserve.

Our recent recoveries include $100M won for contractors injured in a Louisiana plant explosion and $14M recovered for a Texas refinery worker electrocuted on the job after the company bypassed critical safety measures.

Our team is proud to represent Texas refinery workers injured in the catastrophic Shell Deer Park chemical fire and Pemex Deer Park chemical release in 2024, and Louisiana chemical plant contractors harmed in the Smitty’s Supply Inc. fire and environmental disaster in 2025.

Undefeated Texas Plant & Refinery Accident Lawyers: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult

Having recovered Billions for plant and refinery accident victims across Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and the United States, our Undefeated Plant Explosion Lawyers have the skills, resources and experience to take on the largest petrochemical corporations in the world and not just win, but set records.

f you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a plant or refinery explosion, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us page

We’ll answer your questions, discuss your rights, and provide you with the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.

All consultations are free, and because we work exclusively on a contingency fee, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.