Texas City Refinery Explosion Leaves One Dead

As Texas refinery explosion lawyers, we are always saddened when there is a refinery accident that injures or kills workers. However, considering the safety record at so many of Texas’ refineries, we can’t say we are very surprised when these deadly explosions occur.

Yet another ghastly explosion at a Texas City refinery has killed one person and seriously injured two. The explosion occurred at the Valero Energy Corporation refinery last week at about 9 pm. A 40-year-old worker Tommy Manias was killed in the explosion. According to Texas City fire crews, the cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Currently, we know that there was an explosion in the boiler room that quickly caused a fire. By the time fire crews arrived, the fire had been put out. There is speculation that a boiler failed, contributing to the explosion.

The explosion brings back horrible memories of the deadly BP refinery explosion in Texas City that killed 15 people. The Texas refinery explosion lawyers at SMSH represented both victims and their families from that explosion, and so, we know firsthand what families of these victims go through. Fires and explosions are some of the most catastrophic workplace accidents, leading to blunt force trauma injuries, amputations, serious burns, and penetration injuries.

Meanwhile, the Chemical Safety Board has announced that it will not begin investigations into the Valero blast. According to the Board, it currently doesn’t have the resources to begin yet another investigation, because it has 15 opened investigations. Out of these 15, 8 investigations involve refineries. It seems that our refineries get involved in more explosions than the Chemical Safety Board can keep up with. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun its investigation into the Valero blast.

For assistance with your Texas City Plant Explosion case or any other claims related to a Texas Refinery Accident, please contact us at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free evaluation of your case at info@smslegal.com