EXPLOSION INJURIES IN HOUSTON, TX
PRACTICE AREAS
Houston Explosion Injuries Attorney
Explosions are often the result of combustible gases or chemicals coming in contact with fire, electrical sparks or high heat. Explosions in the work environment can occur in industrial environments, on construction sites, in vehicle accidents or anywhere else combustible gases or chemicals are stored.
When explosion injuries such as chemical exposure and burn injuries are caused by negligence, victims may be able to recover significant compensation for past, present and future damages suffered as a result of injuries. Family members of victims killed in explosions may be able to recover wrongful death benefits, which may include compensation for funeral expenses, medical expenses, loss of companionship, loss of income, and pain and suffering experienced by the deceased prior to death.
At Reich & Binstock LLP, in Houston, we understand that it is rare for financial compensation to fully repair all sense of loss and to completely heal all wounds. However, securing the maximum compensation that you deserve for losses and damages can also help you cope with loss, traumatic memories and disfigurement. It can help you avoid medical debt, bridge the gap until you can get back to work and provide financial stability for your future. If you or a loved one suffered explosion injuries in Houston, call our office today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney at 713-622-7271.
Do I Need a Houston Explosion Accident Attorney?
The best way to ensure that your case is handled correctly is to speak with an explosion accident attorney in Houston. In the aftermath of an explosion, you’ll likely participate in a complete investigation of the incident. Most victims of these occurrences have no idea where to even begin with their cases. They lack the resources and legal knowledge to determine liability in the case. Your explosion accident attorney has all the skills necessary to do exactly that, plus to gather the necessary evidence, calculate your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement for you.
What are the Different Levels of Injury Associated With an Explosion?
Who is Liable for Explosion Accidents in Texas?
This is where cases of explosion injuries get tricky. The legal aspects of your case become complicated when there is no obvious party at fault for the explosion. In cases where the explosion happened in an industrial setting, many different parties could be liable for your injuries.
What Damages Can You Recover From an Explosion Injury?
As with other personal injury cases, victims of explosion injuries deserve compensation for their suffering. These accidents have a high chance of resulting in catastrophic injuries, or even wrongful death. Victims face long, complicated roads to recovery, and may never go back to their old way of life. A few of potential damages you can expect to compensate for your explosion injuries include:
- Hospitalization costs
- Treatments and surgeries
- Ongoing therapy or rehabilitation
- Loss of wages, earnings, or earning capacity
- Funeral or burial costs
- Property damage costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment
What Does OSHA Investigate After an Accident or Explosion?
After an accident, or in some cases after a near accident, OSHA conducts investigations into the root causes of the accident. They examine potential hazards in workplace practices or on the property, the root cause of the accident, and much more. Generally, OSHA emphasizes that both managers and employees pool their knowledge to determine the cause of the accident, as well as how to improve upon the safety of the workspace. Below, we list some questions that OSHA considers during an investigation.
- A certain rule was not followed. Why was the rule not followed?
- Did the pressure to meet certain production requirements play a role in the accident? If so, why are these production requirements in place since they jeopardize safety?
- Was the safety training inadequate or outdated?
- Why did nobody previously identify this issue? If someone did identify it, why was the issue not addressed?
How Long Does a Company Have to Report an Injury or Explosion to OSHA?
Types of Explosion Injuries
Primary Explosion Injuries
- High-order explosives (HE), such as TNT or dynamite, produce over-pressurization waves which affect gas-filled structures in the body. Examples of these structures include the lungs, the eardrum, and the gastrointestinal tract.
- The injuries produced includes blast lung (pulmonary barotrauma), which is basically trauma to the lungs without external injuries. Other injuries include damage to the middle ear, hemorrhaging or perforation of the abdominal area, rupture of the eye, and a concussion with no outward signs of head injury. Vision and hearing loss injuries are common in these cases.
Secondary Explosion Injuries
- Secondary injuries result from debris and/or fragments from the explosive device or container.
- Injuries include blunt force injuries, penetrating ballistic injuries, or penetration of the eye.
Tertiary Explosion Injuries
- These injuries result from someone being thrown back by the blast wave from an explosion.
- Injuries include fracture of bones, amputation of limbs due to trauma, and brain injuries.
Quaternary Explosion Injuries
- These injuries encompass all others not covered by the above three categories. An example is the exacerbation or complication of pre-existing medical conditions in a victim.
- Injuries include burns, crush injuries, other types of brain injuries, asthma or other breathing problems from smoke/fumes, angina (chest pain), hyperglycemia, and hypertension.
Explosion Injury Liability in Texas
Below, we discuss potential areas of liability for explosion injuries both in and out of the workplace:
Explosions in the Workplace
- Industrial property owners: Owners of the property have a responsibility to ensure that their property is safe for employees to perform their jobs. If they fail to do this, they could face a premises liability suit.
- The company itself: Whoever holds responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the workplace often have a duty of care to their employees. If they fail meet appropriate safety standards, they may be liable for the explosion.
- Third party contractors: These are commonly brought into industrial settings. If their standard of work does not meet OSHA’s standards and results in an accident, they are liable.
- Equipment manufacturers: Industrial workspaces often have many different types of expensive and complicated equipment. If a product defect results in explosion injuries, the manufacturer of the product may be liable.
Explosions Outside the Workplace
- Product manufacturers: Some products are, by nature, highly flammable or combustible. If these products do not receive the proper labeling by the manufacturer, they may be liable for injuries.
- Parts manufacturers: Vehicles these days have many small, specific parts. Some of these parts, if defective, could very well cause an explosion of the vehicle. In this case, the manufacturer of the part could be liable.
Experienced Houston Explosion Injury Lawyer
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