Texas Refinery Turnaround Accident Lawyer
When you are injured during an oil refinery turnaround, an experienced Texas refinery turnaround accident lawyer can determine who is at fault and hold the negligent parties accountable. Our knowledgeable industrial lawyers have the experience and resources to investigate your accident, stand up to large oil companies, and recover the compensation you deserve.
Legally Reviewed By: Lawrence P. Wilson
Senior Attorney
- Page Last Updated:
- May 12, 2025
Why Hire Our Specialized Turnaround Accident Attorneys in Texas?
Compensation for Victims of Refinery Turnaround Accidents in Texas
Common Injuries Suffered During Refinery Turnaround Accidents
How Long Do You Have to File a Turnaround Accident Claim in Texas?
Can You Still Sue If You Were Partially at Fault for Your Accident?
How the Lanier Law Firm Can Help Your Turnaround Accident Case
Contact Our Refinery Turnaround Accident Lawyers in Houston, TX
Turnarounds are scheduled maintenance shutdowns during which oil refineries clean, test, and update equipment. Turnarounds expose workers to dangers beyond ordinary occupational hazards. Workers must enter shafts, tunnels, manholes, and other dark, confined spaces that contain methane and other hazards. Workers dismantle, clean, and test sensitive machinery, often using flammable solvents. Mistakes can cause catastrophic fires, explosions, and deadly chemical exposures.
In 2005, 15 workers were killed and 180 were injured during a turnaround at the BP Texas City oil refinery in one of the worst industrial disasters in modern American history. Pressure built up in a distillation tower, triggering the release of flammable gases, which ultimately ignited and caused a serious explosion that damaged homes three-quarters of a mile away. The system was not equipped with a flare, which would have safely combusted the gases.
Revenue stops during turnarounds, which motivates some companies to rush through turnarounds, sacrificing safety. Our attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm have a proven track record of holding large companies accountable when they sacrifice safety for the sake of profits.
Why Hire Our Specialized Turnaround Accident Attorneys in Texas?
Our Texas refinery turnaround accident attorneys have over 35 years of experience helping injured individuals stand up to large corporate entities. We have taken on some of the largest and most resourceful corporations in the world and won outstanding results for our clients in all types of plant and refinery accident cases.
Below are just a few examples of The Lanier Law Firm’s case results:
- $9 billion verdict against Takeda & Eli Lilly
- $4.69 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson
- $417 million verdict against Amoco
- $115 million verdict against a steel mill
- $56.3 million verdict against Caterpillar Inc. and Holt Texas Ltd.
Large corporations that refuse to pay fair compensation often change their tune when they learn the victim has hired our attorneys. They know from our track record that it is in their best interests to settle rather than go up against us in court.
We provide compassionate, personalized service to every client while using aggressive and sometimes unconventional methods in the courtroom to recover the maximum award available. We charge no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we win.
“Speaking from experience, I would like to highly recommend The Lanier Law Firm. This is a group of highly qualified, dedicated attorneys who will work tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome for their clients.”
– Betty Stevenson
“The Lanier Law Firm represented me on a case these past few years. Their sincere concern for my health, welfare, and case was genuine and greatly appreciated. They communicated with me throughout the process and went above and beyond seeking the highest award for my injuries.”
– Carl Woodward
Compensation for Victims of Refinery Turnaround Accidents in Texas
If you are an oil refinery employee, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which include medical care and partial wage replacement. You cannot sue an employer who carries workers’ compensation, but you can sue those who don’t.
In addition, you can file a lawsuit against any outside party, such as a manufacturer of defective equipment or a negligent maintenance company, that contributed to your accident. You may be able to sue the employer if you were hired as an outside contractor.
Texas allows you to recover the following damages through an industrial accident lawsuit:
- Economic damages, such as current and future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and impairment
- Punitive damages, awarded in rare cases when you can prove the negligent parties committed fraud or caused the harm through malice or gross negligence
Compensation When Your Loved One Dies in a Turnaround Accident in Texas
If your loved one has died from a refinery turnaround accident, you may be entitled to death benefits through workers’ compensation and additional damages through a third-party wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death damages may include lost financial support, funeral expenses, and compensation for emotional losses such as mental grief and suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of parental guidance.
If the employer’s gross negligence caused or contributed to the accident, you may be able to sue the employer for punitive damages, even if the employer was covered by workers’ compensation.
Common Injuries Suffered During Refinery Turnaround Accidents
Injuries from turnaround accidents often result in lifelong medical care, disabilities, and diminished earning capacity. Common injuries during refinery turnarounds include the following:
- Serious and widespread burns
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
- Severe burns from fires, explosions, or caustic chemicals
- Internal burns of the lungs and esophagus
- Organ damage
- Cancer
- Broken or crushed bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Our compassionate Houston refinery turnaround accident attorneys can help you through this difficult time. We will determine who is responsible and pursue the maximum compensation through every available avenue.
What To Do if You Are Injured During a Shutdown or Turnaround
If you are injured in a turnaround accident, it is crucial to do the following to protect your health and your injury case:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Attend all of your doctor’s appointments and follow your treatment plan.
- Write a detailed account of the accident and the events leading up to it.
- Gather eyewitness names and contact information.
- Take photos and video of the accident scene and the conditions that led to the accident.
- Report your accident to your employer as soon as possible.
- Obtain a copy of your incident report.
- Retain medical billing receipts.
- Contact our experienced industrial accident attorneys as soon as possible.
Once you contact our attorneys, we will gather your medical records, investigate your accident, and start building a trial-ready case. The more documentation you can provide, the easier it will be for your attorney to investigate.
How Long Do You Have to File a Turnaround Accident Claim in Texas?
You have 30 days to report the accident to your employer for workers’ compensation. You generally have up to two years from the accident date or the date you became aware of the injury to file a turnaround accident lawsuit. For a wrongful death claim, you have two years from a loved one’s death to file suit.
However, you should contact a reputable Houston refinery turnaround accident lawyer as soon as possible. Investigating and building a strong case takes time, and your attorney will need access to evidence that may only be available for a short time.
Can You Still Sue If You Were Partially at Fault for Your Accident?
Under the Texas Proportionate Responsibility law, you may recover damages if you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. For example, if you are 49 percent at fault with damages of $100,000, you can recover up to $51,000. However, if you were 51 percent at fault, you would be unable to recover any damages.
The proportionate responsibility law incentivizes insurance companies to pin the blame on accident victims. We can collaborate with top forensic experts to refute any allegations of fault so you can receive maximum compensation.
How the Lanier Law Firm Can Help Your Turnaround Accident Case
When you hire our award-winning firm, we will go to whatever lengths are necessary to recover the maximum compensation available. This is what our Texas refinery turnaround accident attorneys will do for you:
- Meet with you for a free consultation, regardless of where you are in Texas, including your home or hospital bed
- Perform an extensive investigation into your accident until we identify all of the responsible parties
- Review your medical records and collaborate with experts so we can calculate the lifetime cost of your injuries
- Send a demand letter to the opposing parties and their insurers
- Negotiate for the settlement you deserve
- Take your case to trial if the responsible parties refuse to pay fair compensation
“We will not be outspent, will not be outworked, and we are able to handle the big industrial cases to ensure our clients the best results.”
Contact Our Refinery Turnaround Accident Lawyers in Houston, TX
Our Texas refinery turnaround accident lawyers have the resources, experience, and stamina to get you the maximum compensation available. We won’t rest until you get justice. With over 35 years of experience and nearly $20 billion in compensation recovered, we are the law firm you want on your side.
Contact The Lanier Law Firm online or call (800) 723-3216 today to schedule your free consultation.
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10940 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N. Suite 100
Houston, TX 77064
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