Are Oil Refinery Explosions Common?

According to the CDC’s Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) database, 470 oil and gas workers were killed on the job from 2014-2019, equating to 78 fatalities per year. 14.5% of these fatalities (68 total) were related to explosions.

While this is not a shocking number, oil refinery accidents are akin to volcanic eruptions or nuclear power plant accidents. They are not common, but when they do happen, they tend to be extremely dangerous—and costly.

Take, for example, the Texas City Refinery explosion in 2005. The explosion, caused by a combination of outdated equipment and poor oversight, resulted in 15 worker fatalities and 180 additional injuries. As a result, BP was forced to pay out millions of dollars in fines and over a billion dollars in settlements with injured accident victims and surviving family members of those who were killed.

Most refinery explosions are not this extreme, but it goes to show just how deadly these accidents can be and how crucial it is for oil and gas companies and the workers they employ to maintain safety at all times.

Why Do Refinery Explosions Happen?

There are several reasons refinery explosions happen, most of which are, unfortunately, avoidable. These include:

Human error: Whether neglecting proper training or ignoring safety precautions, human error is too often the root cause of explosions.
Maintenance errors: Proper oversight and maintenance of a refinery’s equipment are not cheap, but they are critical for maintaining a safe environment.
Defective equipment: In some cases, the error is not made by someone working at the refinery but by someone working at a manufacturing plant that supplies parts to the refinery.

Again, with proper oversight and training, these issues could be avoided; unfortunately, companies sometimes choose to prioritize their bottom lines over safety. When they do so, it can lead to catastrophic accidents, resulting in serious injuries and death.

How To Prevent Oil Refinery Explosions

The key to preventing oil refinery explosions is for oil and gas companies and their workers to be diligent in their duties. They should always uphold safety procedures and best practices, including:

Proper training of new and existing employees
Regular inspection and repairs of equipment, including preventative maintenance
Monitoring systems to ensure tools and gauges are working properly
Regular safety audits and emergency preparedness
Strict compliance with all regulations

At the end of the day, there are simply too many small things that can go wrong in a refinery if adequate attention is not paid to each piece of equipment. One malfunctioning valve or gauge combined with another small mistake can quickly lead to a catastrophic situation for everyone involved.

What To Do If You’re Injured in a Refinery Explosion

If you have been injured in a refinery explosion, the first step is to make sure you receive the medical attention you need. Failure to do so may lead to more than worsening injuries—it could also hurt your case. The other party’s insurance company could argue that your injuries were not as serious as you claim.

Once you take this first step, there are a few other critical steps to follow, including:

Reporting the accident
Documenting the accident and your injuries
Collecting evidence
Consult a lawyer

It’s also important to know what you shouldn’t do, which includes giving statements or signing documents from your employer, their insurance company, or another party without consulting a lawyer first. These entities are not on your side and will only ask for these pieces of documentation because they want to control how much you are able to recover in compensation.

Should You Hire a Refinery Accident Lawyer If You’re Injured in an Explosion?

Generally, yes, you should hire a lawyer after being injured in a refinery explosion. At the very least, you should get a FREE consultation to discuss your options.

These cases can be highly complex, even when it comes to determining who should be held liable for your damages. Depending on liability, there are different ways to proceed, including:

A workers’ compensation claim, if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance (which is not required in Texas)
A maritime injury claim under the Jones Act, which is federal legislation
A personal injury claim against your employer or another party

Each of these types of claims is handled differently, and each has its pros and cons. For example, if your employer carries workers’ comp insurance, the compensation you may be able to recover could be less than a personal injury claim would provide. However, workers’ compensation claims are administered on a no-fault basis, meaning you don’t have to prove fault to receive benefits.

Ultimately, the various rules and regulations that could apply to a claim are far too many to detail here and fully dependent on your unique situation. This is why speaking directly with a refinery accident attorney is your best option.

Contact Patrick Daniel Law Today!

Handling the aftermath of oil refinery explosions is no small task. Beyond recovering from your injuries and determining the best path forward for your health and well-being, you must also deal with financial challenges and legal uncertainty.

We’re here to help. Our approach is always Strategic. Meticulous. Merciless. We know what you’re going through is devastating. We want to help you get the compensation you need to move forward. It can be difficult to unravel your options and determine the right approach, especially when facing untrustworthy insurance companies.

Let’s even the playing field and ensure your rights are protected by pursuing the compensation you deserve for the damages you have sustained. Contact Patrick Daniel Law today to schedule your FREE case evaluation.

How Common Are Refinery Explosions?