Plant Explosion Attorney in Houston, TX
There are many chemical plants, electrical plants, and various industrial centers in Houston. Companies like Monument Chemical Houston and NRG Energy provide critical services to the region, but it is also inherently dangerous to work in any industrial plant. Explosions may be rare, but if you are hurt in such an incident, you need to consult an experienced Houston plant explosion lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your recovery options.
Representing Victims of Plant Explosions in Houston, TX
The team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can be your legal advocates after you have been injured in a plant explosion. While these accidents are rare, they are incredibly damaging when they occur, and plant employees could suffer life-changing injuries. If this has happened to you or a family member, you need a Houston personal injury lawyer you can trust to recover compensation for your damages.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, there were about 175,900 nonfatal workplace injuries reported by private industry employers statewide in 2023. Manufacturing had one of the highest injury rates at 1.9 incidents per 100 regular workers. If you are hurt in a plant explosion, it’s vital to understand your recovery options and whether workers’ compensation insurance is a viable avenue of compensation.
Our firm can help you determine the cause of the explosion that injured you, accurately assess your total economic and non-economic damages, and determine the most viable path to recovering compensation on your behalf. Our goal in every personal injury case we accept is to maximize our client’s recovery, and we are confident we can help you reach a positive conclusion in your plant explosion injury case in Houston.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Plant Explosion Injuries
Workers’ compensation is not mandatory for most private employers in Texas. However, most employers purchase this insurance as an economic safeguard. When a workplace accident occurs, an injured employee can file a workers’ compensation claim rather than suing the employer. If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, this is likely to be your primary avenue of recovery after any type of workplace accident in Houston.
An injured worker will likely need to undergo a functional capacity evaluation from a workers’ compensation doctor before they can receive benefits. Most insurers require this to determine a claimant’s disability rating, which then determines how much they can receive in benefits. Once you complete your evaluation, your attorney can negotiate benefits with the insurance carrier and resolve any disputes that arise.
A successful workers’ compensation claim will usually provide full medical expense coverage, paying for the cost of any medical care you need to recover from a work-related injury. You can also receive disability benefits during the time you are unable to work, but this will only cover a portion of your lost income. If you have grounds to file a personal injury case against a specific party responsible for the explosion, success could yield a far greater recovery.
What to Do After a Plant Explosion in Houston?
The aftermath of a plant explosion can be traumatic and uncertain. You are likely to have suffered critical injuries and may have little to no memory of the incident. It’s also possible that you may be unable to pursue legal recourse of any kind on your own if you are in critical condition. In this situation, you may need to rely on family to act on your behalf, and working with a skilled Houston plant explosion lawyer will significantly improve the outcome of this case.
Workers’ compensation insurance is just one possible avenue of recovery. The claim-filing process may appear straightforward at first, but the reality is that any injured worker in Houston might encounter various complications with their claim that they will not know how to resolve on their own. Insurance companies often attempt to settle for as little as possible, but your attorney can ensure you are treated fairly.
It is also possible to encounter disputes with your employer following a plant explosion. They might deny responsibility or blame you for the incident. Any such issues could complicate your recovery process, so hiring an attorney ensures you are prepared to address any problems that arise. It’s also possible that a third party is to blame for your accident, in which case you will need an attorney’s help to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused.
Filing a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim for a Plant Explosion
Your Houston plant explosion lawyer can determine whether a specific third party is responsible for the explosion you experienced. For example, it may have resulted from a defective product, faulty maintenance, or a failure to follow applicable safety regulations. Your attorney can determine fault, and if a specific party is at fault for the explosion, you may be able to claim compensation for damages that workers’ compensation insurance won’t cover.
A successful workers’ compensation claim in Houston will usually provide full coverage of all medical expenses related to the injury, including the cost of any long-term treatment the victim requires to reach maximum medical improvement. Additionally, the injured worker can also receive disability benefits if they are unable to work while recovering from their injuries.
Workers’ compensation disability benefits are paid in different ways based on the severity of a claimant’s condition. For example, if you cannot work at all due to your injury, you may receive total disability benefits that amount to a percentage of your average weekly wages each week until you can return to your job. If you can manage light duty but cannot earn your usual wage, you may receive partial disability benefits instead.
A successful third-party personal injury claim could allow you to seek compensation for lost income not covered by workers’ compensation insurance as well as compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. Plant explosions could cause traumatic brain injuries, severe burns, and various permanently disabling injuries. A skilled attorney can help you maximize pain and suffering compensation in your personal injury claim.
Ultimately, any plant explosion can cause life-changing injuries, and you may be confused as to your legal options following such an incident. A Houston plant explosion lawyer is an invaluable resource in this situation, and the team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates is ready to provide compassionate support throughout your proceedings. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how we can help with your case.
FAQs About Plant Explosion in Houston, TX
Do You Need to Prove Fault for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
You generally do not need to prove fault for a workers’ compensation claim. In Texas, this insurance functions on a no-fault basis, so you only need to prove your injury happened while you were working. However, if a specific party directly caused your injury through egregious negligence, refusal to follow applicable safety regulations, or an intentional, harmful act, then fault may be a vital concern in your legal proceedings.
What Happens if I Caused My Own Workplace Injury in Houston?
If you caused your own workplace injury in Houston, this may not disqualify you from claiming workers’ compensation benefits, as this insurance functions on a no-fault basis. However, if you were working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or you intentionally violated workplace safety regulations, these factors could disqualify you from claiming benefits.
Can I Sue My Employer for a Plant Explosion in Houston?
You may not be able to sue your employer for a plant explosion in Houston except under specific circumstances. However, you may have grounds to file a civil suit against a defective product manufacturer or another third party responsible for the explosion. Hire a plant explosion lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so they can deduce the exact cause and identify those responsible.
What Is a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim?
A third-party personal injury claim is a civil suit filed against a specific third party responsible for causing your personal injury. For example, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer after a plant explosion, but if a specific third party, like a product manufacturer, is responsible for the explosion, your attorney may be able to help you file a third-party personal injury claim against them to seek additional compensation.
Why Should I Hire a Plant Explosion Lawyer in Houston?
You should hire a plant explosion lawyer in Houston because working with a skilled local attorney dramatically improves your chance of reaching a positive outcome in your case. Your attorney can guide you through the workers’ compensation system if this is a viable avenue of recovery for you, and they can also build a personal injury case on your behalf if necessary.
Contact Our Firm in Houston
The team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates has years of proven experience helping injured clients recover from all types of workplace accidents in Houston, including plant explosions that cause catastrophic injuries. We are confident we can help you navigate the legal aftermath of your accident and secure a positive outcome. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an experienced Houston plant explosion lawyer you can trust.