Oil plant and refinery accidents often cause catastrophic injuries and damage. One of the reasons that these types of accidents cause such damage is due to the chemicals and compounds used in the industry, according to our refinery fire attorneys. These types of accidents either maim, severely injure or kill many employees each year.
Repercussions of Refinery Fires in Pennsylvania
The repercussions of oil plant and refinery fires are significant. You may suffer severe burns, broken bones or amputation. The property damage after such a fire can be catastrophic, destroying not only the plant but buildings and homes around it. There are also cases where wrongful death has occurred after an oil plant or refinery fire when it is proven that the company did not follow proper safety procedures.
Causes of Plant and Refinery Fires in Pennsylvania
Substances used at oil refineries and plants are often highly combustible. In order to refine crude oil, there are several processes that must take place. One of these process is known as fracking, which heats a tank to temperatures as high as 400 degrees Celsius in order to divide the crude oil into different fuels. A small leak could lead the oil to contact gases or heat, leading to severe fires or explosions. Chemical plants also have materials that can combust and lead to devastating fires or explosions. Some chemicals are so volatile even a tiny leak in a pipe can lead to an uncontrollable fire.
Employer Responsibility in Pennsylvania
The owners of a refinery or other type of plant have a responsibility to provide you with a safe workplace. Too often, a plant or refinery incident is due to corners that have been cut by the company to save money or safety procedures that were ignored. Even if every precaution is taken and your injuries were caused by a simple accident, your employer is required to provide you with workers’ compensation coverage. This means that you are entitled to reimbursement for lost wages, medical bills and other expenses related to your injury. You also cannot be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim. In order to be sure that you are compensated properly, contact refinery fire attorneys who will make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a plant or refinery fire, contact the refinery fire attorneys at Lundy Law to learn what rights you may have. You can arrange for an initial consultation by calling 1-800-Lundy Law or completing the easy form on our website.