In 2016, 2.9 million Americans suffered on the job illnesses or injuries and 5,190 men and women were killed according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These statistics are both frightening and overwhelming given the large number of workers on job sites around the U.S. Unfortunately, Texas leads the United States in workplace deaths and has done so for over two-thirds of the past 15 years and Houston has the second highest number of workplace deaths, behind only New York City. With OSHA having such limited resources, it is not realistic to depend on the federal or state governments to prevent refinery workplace injuries or deaths.

On America’s Gulf Coast, workplace injuries and deaths often occur in the many refineries located along our coast, and at construction sites throughout Texas. When such life-altering events occur, it is critical for the injured person or the family of the deceased to retain an industrial accident attorney as quickly as possible because the liable companies are certain to immediately begin their own investigation.

Refinery Injury Cases

The upstream oil and gas industry has one of the highest rates of “severe injuries” in the country, according to an E&E News analysis of workplace injury data. The term “severe injuries” is defined as those causing hospitalization or loss of a body part, and they range from major burns suffered in explosions to injured hips that result from falling in the office lobby. The magnitude of these injuries means you will need an experienced refinery accident attorney who knows both the nuances of the law and understands how jobs are performed in the energy sector. Having represented both offshore and land-based energy sector workers for over thirty-five years, Houston personal injury lawyer Richard Schechter has both the experience and knowledge to represent those badly injured.

Basis of Refinery Injury Cases

Injuries within a refinery, as noted above, are sustained in many different ways. Most injury cases are brought under the doctrine of negligence. The exact nature of what constitutes negligence varies from state to state, but the principles are fundamentally the same.

In most cases, negligence means the failure to do something one should do in the exercise of ordinary care, or doing something one should not have done in the exercise of ordinary care. Negligence in the energy industry can occur in many ways. For example, potential causes of injuries include:

• Lack of proper training or supervision;
• Improper operation of transportation equipment, including trucks and forklifts;
• Defective, faulty or improperly maintained equipment or machinery; and
• A dangerous workplace environment, including not ensuring workers have sufficient rest to safely perform their jobs.

Houston personal injury lawyer Richard Schechter has brought hundreds of cases against companies in the energy sector and has successfully represented men and women injured at the workplace. He has worked with chemical and petroleum engineers as well as licensed safety engineers to determine the cause of injuries and wrongful deaths and make sure his client’s claims are advanced in the most efficient and effective way possible. He is an attorney Texans have trusted for over thirty-five years to prosecute their claims against those whose negligence injured them or caused the death of a loved one.

Refinery and Workplace Injury Cases

In addition to representing clients injured while working in the oil industry, Houston industrial accident attorney Richard Schechter has handled refinery and industrial workplace claims arising out of accidents occurring in and around Houston and all over the state of Texas. These cases have arisen from all types of accidents, including tragic explosions and flash fires, mishandled and improperly maintained machinery and equipment, exposure to unsafe gases and materials, inadequate safety training and improper monitoring, and failure to comply with contractual provisions. The development of these cases takes time and is often quite complex given the mix of construction trade members on these job sites, often requiring experts in refinery and construction safety.

As with refinery injury cases, in order to recover damages from a potential defendant, an injured worker must prove the defendant was negligent and that the negligence was the cause of the worker’s injuries and damages. That’s why you need an aggressive and knowledgeable industrial accident lawyer like Richard Schechter, who is experienced in obtaining and presenting compelling evidence to establish liability and the extent of your injuries and damages.

Damages You Can Recover

• Past and future wage losses, as well as loss of earning capacity;
• Medical expenses, past and future; and
• Physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairment.

As your industrial injury lawyer, Richard Schechter and his team will work hard to ensure the defendant is held responsible for your damages.

Your Industrial Injury Attorney Is Richard Schechter

If your life has been changed by a serious industrial injury, you need a serious lawyer. The Law Office of Richard Schechter, P.C. has over 30 years of experience helping individuals who have been injured at work through no fault of their own. Even if you are not sure whether you have a claim, it is important to talk to a lawyer to find out your options. And because we work on contingency, not only is the consultation free, you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation

[ninja_form id=1]