A contractor hospitalized following an explosion at a Corpus Christi apartment complex early this week is being treated for burns to 30% of his body, including third-degree burns on his arms and legs.
“When I got over there, he was able to talk and everything, but he was in so much pain,” the man’s mother told KRIS-6 News.
“It was honestly really scary,” said his wife of barely two years. “And I just immediately saw all the burn marks on his hands and over his face.”
Lacquer Fumes Ignited in Chandlers Mills Apartment Bathroom
The victim was one of two contractors working to resurface a bathtub in a second-floor apartment at the Chandlers Mills complex near the intersection of Airport and Holly when the explosion erupted around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13th. Fumes from a lacquer the workers were using accumulated to a dangerous level in the windowless, unventilated space and ignited once they came in contact with an as-yet-to-be-determined ignition source.
An ambulance rushed the badly burned man to Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area Hospital. A medical helicopter later transferred him to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio due to the severity of his injuries.
According to doctors, the respiratory mask the contractor was wearing kept hot gasses generated by the blast from entering his lungs, likely saving his life.
Chandler Mills Explosion Victim Faces Months-Long Recovery
Many residents of the Chandlers Mills apartments were away on Wednesday afternoon, and the adjacent units were vacant. While no one else was injured, the blast did leave a large hole in the side of the building.
Unfortunately, the burned contractor faces a long recovery and is expected to remain at Brook Army Medical Center for three to five weeks, where he was scheduled to undergo the first of multiple surgeries this morning. Because the victim will also require months of outpatient rehab, he, his wife, and their 15-month-old daughter may need to relocate closer to the hospital.
“I’m just so thankful that my son survived this because it was a pretty bad blast,” his mother told KRIS-6 as she fought back tears.
Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consult with Our Undefeated Texas Plant Explosion Lawyers
Having won Billions for burn victims throughout Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States, our Undefeated Texas Explosion Lawyers have the resources and knowledge to hold negligent employers accountable and ensure workers and their families receive the maximum compensation possible for all of their injuries and losses.
If you or someone you love suffered burns or other injuries in connection with a workplace explosion, please call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
Your consultation is entirely free and confidential, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.