Livingston Parish Chemical Plant Injury Lawyer

Many employees work in the industrial sector, working in chemical plants and refineries that support the state’s economy. However, these essential worksites are some of the most hazardous. Incidents in these industries can impact entire areas of wildlife and whole communities. These accidents have a significant impact on employees who operate these worksites every day. A Livingston Parish chemical plant injury lawyer can help if you are injured in a chemical accident.

Employees in these industrial worksites deal with many potential hazards each day, and chemical plant accidents can include fires, slip-and-fall accidents, chemical exposure, vehicle collisions, explosions, and machinery malfunctions. These incidents can cause catastrophic and disabling injuries, impacting the rest of an employee’s life. It is crucial that chemical plant employees review their options for recovering compensation with skilled legal representation.

Protecting Employee Rights in Livingston Parish

Whether you were injured in a major incident in a chemical plant or suffered another workplace injury, Gauthier Amedee can help you secure the financial recovery you deserve. Our attorneys have more than 40 combined years of personal injury law experience, and we can review your workplace injury to determine your options for filing a claim.

When these accidents are caused by the gross negligence of employers, we take action to address those faults. It can be complex to determine the cause of an accident and hold a negligent party responsible, but our firm has significant experience with the operation and management of chemical plants and similar facilities. Let us help you get the support you need.

Chemical Plant Injuries in Livingston Parish

Chemical plants, refineries, and other industrial worksites have a higher risk of injury compared to other worksites. In 2020, 13.1% of all Louisiana employees who worked in high-risk industries for disease and injury worked in the manufacturing sector. The injuries on these worksites are often much more severe due to the dangerous chemicals, machinery, and other hazards. In 2023, there were eight fatal injuries in the state’s manufacturing sector.

Chemical plants and refineries see many dangerous and fatal accidents. Some of the most common reasons for injuries include:

• Explosions and fires. Chemical plants deal with flammable materials, dangerous chemicals, and heavy machinery. Fires and explosions can occur from improperly mixed chemicals, electrical hazards, and many other sources.

  These accidents are some of the most devastating, causing significant damage to buildings, the surrounding environment, and the community, and injuring or killing employees onsite. There were four fatal injuries from explosions in the state in 2023. These accidents can lead to burns, traumatic brain injuries, crushing injuries, and other disfiguring and disabling injuries. They can also be fatal.

• Equipment defects and malfunctions. Equipment and machinery issues can lead to crushing injuries, caught-between or caught-by accidents, toxic exposure, and pressure explosions. These accidents can be caused by improper maintenance, a lack of safety protocols, insufficient protective gear, or dangers inherent in the design or construction of the machinery.

• Chemical spills and other hazardous exposures. Many hazardous substances are used in chemical plants, and they must be properly stored and transported. Spills of chemicals can lead to chemical burns or employees inhaling toxic substances.

  This exposure can also occur if improper containers are used for dangerous chemicals or if employees are not given enough personal protective gear. Chemical spills can also impact the surrounding environment and community.

• Falls. Hazards in a plant can lead to tripping or slipping accidents. These falls can be especially dangerous around hazardous substances or heavy machinery, or when they occur from high heights. These accidents can be caused by improper cleaning and safety procedures, poor safety railings, and other issues.

When employees are injured in these accidents, they can likely recover damages through a workers’ compensation claim. These claims don’t require employees to prove negligence or fault.

Speak With an Attorney

When an employer is negligent with the safety of their employees or coworkers are negligent, many employees are still restricted to filing workers’ compensation claims. However, this is not always the case. Talking with an attorney can help you determine if you can recover additional compensation in a civil case for the recklessness or gross misconduct of employers or coworkers.

In some cases, employees can recover damages in other types of claims against third parties. For example, if your injuries were caused by an unreasonably dangerous product, like malfunctioning machinery, you could file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the product. Property owners, subcontractors, or drivers of other vehicles could be held liable depending on the type of accident in which you were injured.

Common Injuries in Plant Accidents

Plant accidents can lead to serious injuries, including:

• Numerous bone fractures
• Chemical and thermal burns
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Loss of sight
• Loss of vision
• Respiratory damage and diseases
• Neurological disorders and nerve damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Reproductive issues
• Increased risk of cancer

After an injury in the workplace, it is crucial to get medical treatment. Hospitals in Livingston Parish include:

• Our Lady of the Lake Livingston, located at 5000 O’Donovan Boulevard in Walker
• North Oaks – Livingston Parish Medical Complex, located at 17199 Spring Branch Road in Livingston

If you are diagnosed with a developmental illness or injury by a medical provider, it is crucial to act quickly. You have a short window of time in which you can file a claim.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Chemical Plant Accident

Sadly, dangerous accidents like explosions and machinery malfunctions can lead to fatalities for employees. This can lead to a devastating loss for a family. Surviving family members may be able to file a claim to recover death benefits from the workers’ compensation system or hold other parties liable for negligence in a wrongful death claim.

Working with an attorney can help you determine what benefits you are eligible for and the rights you have as a surviving family member. You may be able to hold parties accountable for negligent behavior and misconduct that caused the death of your loved one. Filing these claims can help provide closure and give you and your family essential financial support as you grieve.

Contact Gauthier Amedee

Many plant accidents are caused by the carelessness and disregard of employers and companies that prioritize their profit over the lives and well-being of employees and the community. There may be options to hold these parties accountable for this negligence. Schedule a consultation with Gauthier Amedee today and learn what we can do to support your workers’ compensation or civil claim after a plant accident.