San Antonio TX Work Injury Attorneys - Workplace Fires and Explosions

Fires and explosions in the workplace are more likely in certain industries, such as oil and gas, chemical, woodworking, and food production. However, every San Antonio business should take some precautions to prevent injuries caused by these emergencies. When a person gets hurt or dies in a work-related fire or explosion, hiring a lawyer can help them file a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Calling our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 will connect you with one of the top Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw. Our team has decades of experience handling workers’ compensation claims, and we can help you file a personal injury lawsuit when the time is right. We encourage our potential clients to read our client reviews and find out how we’ve helped injured workers get total compensation for their losses. Then call for a free consultation. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available 24/7.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to inspect potentially hazardous conditions and implement safety procedures to prevent accidents. In 2019, a petrochemical company in Port Neches, TX failed to take precautions in its Butadiene production, and the resultant explosions and fires injured some workers and displaced nearby residents. In 2020, OSHA cited the company for failure to implement reasonable safety procedures, and the agency ordered the company to pay over $500,000 in fines. The criminal and civil penalties surpassed $100 million.

Examples like the Port Neches Butadiene plant explosions are extreme instances of employer negligence, but a fire or explosion doesn’t have to be large to cause injuries or deaths. A workplace injury lawyer in San Antonio TX can help you to maximize your compensation during a workers’ compensation case or personal injury lawsuit.

The Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recommends fire safety plans to prevent fires and protect workers in the event of a fire. While neglecting these recommendations may result in employee injuries, employers have protections against lawsuits if they subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance. An attorney can help with a workers’ comp claim but cannot file a personal injury claim in civil court. Family members of a deceased employee may sue an insured employer for wrongful death if the employer’s actions were grossly negligent.

A San Antonio work injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your work injury even if your employer subscribes to workers’ compensation insurance. They cannot enable you to file a personal injury lawsuit, but they can represent you during your workers’ compensation claim. This is instrumental in helping you get the benefits you deserve.

If you want to sue your employer for a San Antonio workplace accident, the employer must not subscribe to workers’ compensation, in most cases. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can sue for the following:

• Medical expenses (including future medical needs)
• Repair costs
• Lost income (including future earnings)
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Travel costs
• Loss of relationships
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Other related damages

Your lawyer will help to enumerate your damages, so the court can award an appropriate amount of compensation for your losses. In cases of gross negligence, the court may award exemplary damages to punish the employer and deter future negligent acts.

The personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw dedicate themselves to maximizing your compensation, so you can make a full financial recovery after a workplace fire or explosion. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees. Call our office, and start your legal journey as soon as possible, so you can hold your employer accountable and get the compensation you deserve.

For more information:

• U.S. Fire Administration
• TDI Texas
• OSHA