Texas Refinery and Plant Accident Lawyers: When Industrial Giants Put Profits Before Your Life

One of the Few Texas Firms Involved in BP Explosion Litigation | Serving Houston, Beaumont, and Statewide | 1-888-ATTY-911

The Most Dangerous Workplace in America: Texas Refineries and Chemical Plants

You went to work to provide for your family. You followed safety procedures. You trusted that your employer valued your life over their bottom line. Then the explosion happened. The chemical release. The fire. The equipment failure that should never have occurred.

Now you’re in a hospital bed—or worse, your family is planning your funeral.

The Houston Ship Channel contains the largest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants in the United States. Over 400 chemical facilities line the channel from Houston to Galveston Bay. The Golden Triangle—Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange—is dominated by massive petrochemical operations. These facilities process millions of barrels of crude oil daily, manufacturing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, plastics, and thousands of chemical products.

They also kill and maim workers with devastating regularity.

In 2024 alone:

• October 2024: PEMEX Deer Park Refinery released 27,000 pounds of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, killing 2 workers and injuring 13 others
• Since 2021: At least 15 chemical explosions, fires, and toxic releases along the Houston Ship Channel—one fatality and 28+ injuries
• Texas led the nation in workplace fatalities with 58 deaths—more than any other state
• Southeast Texas OSHA received 417 Serious Incident Reports (hospitalizations, amputations, eye loss) in 2024

Behind every statistic is a worker who trusted their employer. A family who expected their loved one to come home. A life destroyed because a multi-billion-dollar corporation decided that safety costs too much.

At Attorney911, we don’t accept that.

Why Attorney911 for Refinery Accident Cases: BP Explosion Litigation Experience

When the world’s costliest refinery accident occurred on March 23, 2005, at the BP Texas City Refinery—killing 15 workers and injuring over 180—only a handful of Texas law firms had the resources, expertise, and determination to take on a multinational oil giant worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Attorney911 was one of them.

Our firm is one of the few firms in Texas to be involved in BP explosion litigation. This isn’t marketing language we invented. This is documented experience fighting against one of the largest corporations on Earth after one of the deadliest industrial disasters in American history.

What the BP Explosion Taught Us

The BP Texas City Refinery explosion wasn’t an accident—it was the predictable result of corporate negligence. Investigators found that BP had ignored safety warnings, cut maintenance budgets, and allowed dangerous conditions to persist because fixing them would cost money. Fifteen workers paid with their lives for BP’s greed.

BP ultimately paid approximately $2.1 billion in civil settlements to victims and their families. Some families received tens of millions of dollars each. BP also faced:

• $21 million OSHA fine (then a record)
• $87 million additional OSHA fine for failure to implement safety improvements
• $50 million federal Clean Air Act fine
• $50 million Texas environmental fine

Our involvement in this litigation gave Attorney911 invaluable experience that we bring to every refinery and plant accident case today:

• Understanding complex industrial operations—we know how refineries work, how chemical plants operate, and where dangerous conditions develop
• Experience against massive corporate defendants—we’ve faced armies of corporate defense lawyers and won
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks—OSHA, EPA, Process Safety Management, chemical safety regulations
• Access to expert networks—industrial engineers, safety consultants, metallurgists, explosion investigators
• Federal court experience—complex industrial cases often require federal litigation

When you’re injured at ExxonMobil Baytown, PEMEX Deer Park, Valero Houston, Marathon Galveston Bay, or any of the 400+ facilities along the Houston Ship Channel, you need attorneys who have already proven they can take on industry giants. Attorney911 has that proof.

Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years Fighting for Injured Workers

Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has dedicated over 25 years to fighting for Texas injury victims. His credentials for refinery and industrial accident cases include:

• Admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—federal court admission essential for complex industrial litigation involving interstate commerce and federal regulations
• Involvement in BP explosion litigation—proven capability against billion-dollar multinational corporations
• Texas Bar admission since 1998—over a quarter century of personal injury experience
• Deep Houston roots—raised in Memorial, educated at South Texas College of Law Houston, raising his family in the community where these refineries operate
• Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association membership—criminal defense knowledge critical when refinery accidents involve potential criminal prosecution of employers

Ralph understands that refinery workers aren’t just case files. They’re his neighbors. They work at the facilities that power Houston’s economy. When corporations sacrifice their safety for profit, Ralph fights back.

As client Jamin Marroquin describes: “Mr. Manginello guided me through the whole process with great expertise…tenacious, accessible, and determined.”

Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Insider Fighting FOR Injured Workers

Here’s what gives Attorney911 an edge no other refinery accident firm can match: Lupe Peña spent years working FOR insurance companies defending industrial injury claims.

At a national defense firm, Lupe learned exactly how insurance companies and corporations defend against injured workers:

• How they shift blame to workers—accusing injured employees of “operator error” or “failure to follow procedures”
• How they minimize injuries—using biased “Independent Medical Examiners” who work for insurance companies
• How they exploit workers’ compensation—using the “exclusive remedy” rule to limit what injured workers can recover
• How they hide evidence—corporate document retention policies designed to destroy damaging evidence
• How they delay and frustrate claims—hoping injured workers give up or accept lowball settlements

“When I defended industrial injury cases, we knew exactly which tactics worked against injured workers. We’d identify every possible way to blame the worker for their own injury. We’d use ‘expert’ doctors who always found that injuries weren’t as serious as claimed. We’d bury plaintiffs’ attorneys in document requests hoping they’d settle cheap. Now I use that exact knowledge to protect injured workers—anticipating every defense tactic before they try it.” — Lupe Peña

Lupe’s credentials:

• Texas Bar admission 2012
• Admission to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• Former insurance defense attorney at national defense firm
• Fluent Spanish—hablamos español
• 3rd generation Texan with King Ranch family heritage

When you hire Attorney911, you’re not just getting attorneys who know refinery law. You’re getting an attorney who knows exactly how the other side thinks—because he was on their team. Now he’s on yours.

Refinery and Plant Accidents in Texas: Understanding Your Rights

Refinery and chemical plant accidents create complex legal situations that require experienced attorneys. Understanding your rights is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.

Types of Refinery and Plant Accidents

Industrial facilities create countless ways for workers to be injured or killed. The most common refinery and plant accidents include:

Explosions and Fires: Refineries process flammable hydrocarbons under extreme pressure and temperature. When safety systems fail, explosions can be catastrophic—as the BP Texas City disaster proved. Causes include equipment failures, process upsets, vapor releases, inadequate maintenance, and human factors often caused by fatigue from extended shifts.

Chemical Releases and Toxic Exposure: The October 2024 PEMEX Deer Park hydrogen sulfide release killed two workers and injured thirteen. Toxic chemicals throughout refineries and chemical plants—hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, chlorine, benzene, sulfuric acid—can cause immediate death or long-term health consequences including cancer, respiratory disease, and neurological damage.

Burns: Thermal burns from fires and explosions, chemical burns from acid and caustic exposure, and steam burns from high-pressure leaks cause devastating injuries. Burn treatment is extraordinarily painful and expensive, often requiring years of surgeries and rehabilitation.

Falls: Refinery structures include elevated platforms, scaffolding, tank tops, pipe racks, and towers reaching hundreds of feet. Falls result from inadequate fall protection, scaffold failures, slippery surfaces, and employer pressure to work unsafely.

Struck-By Incidents: Falling objects, swinging loads, moving equipment, and vehicle strikes in congested industrial facilities. Cranes, forklifts, and heavy machinery create constant struck-by hazards.

Caught-In/Between: Workers caught in machinery, crushed between equipment, or trapped during turnaround and maintenance operations. Lockout/tagout failures during maintenance are a leading cause of caught-in fatalities.

Confined Space Incidents: Refineries contain thousands of confined spaces—tanks, vessels, trenches, pits—where oxygen can be depleted, toxic atmospheres can develop, or workers can become trapped. Confined space deaths often kill multiple workers, including rescuers who enter without proper protection.

Electrical Incidents: High-voltage systems throughout industrial facilities create electrocution and arc flash hazards. Arc flash incidents can cause severe burns, blindness, and death.

Vehicle Accidents: Refineries are congested with trucks, forklifts, cranes, and mobile equipment. Struck-by vehicle incidents and vehicle collisions cause serious injuries and fatalities.

The Workers’ Compensation Trap: Why You May Have More Options Than You Think

Texas workers’ compensation law creates a “exclusive remedy” rule that limits what injured workers can recover from employers who carry workers’ comp insurance. Many injured refinery workers are told they can only get workers’ comp benefits—which are often woefully inadequate for serious injuries.

But that’s not the whole story.

At Attorney911, we identify every possible defendant to maximize your recovery:

Third-Party Claims: Even when workers’ comp bars suit against your employer, you CAN sue third parties whose negligence contributed to your injury:

• Equipment manufacturers—defective valves, pumps, safety devices, machinery
• Contractors and subcontractors—other companies working at the facility whose negligence injured you
• Chemical suppliers—companies that provided hazardous materials without proper warnings
• Engineering and design firms—companies that designed dangerous systems or processes
• Maintenance contractors—companies responsible for maintaining equipment that failed
• Safety equipment suppliers—companies that provided defective PPE, fall protection, or safety devices

Non-Subscriber Employers: Texas is unique in allowing employers to opt out of workers’ compensation. Approximately one-third of Texas employers are “non-subscribers.” If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp, you CAN sue them directly for negligence—often resulting in much larger recoveries than workers’ comp provides.

Intentional or Gross Negligence: Even employers with workers’ comp can be sued for intentional conduct or gross negligence that caused your injury. This is a high bar but may apply when employers knowingly ignored serious safety hazards.

Contractor Workers: Many refinery workers are employed by contractors, not the refinery owner. This can create complex liability situations where multiple companies may be responsible—and multiple insurance policies may apply.

Lupe Peña’s insurance defense experience is invaluable here: “Defense attorneys work hard to hide third-party defendants and make injured workers think workers’ comp is their only option. I’ve seen the playbook. Now I use it to identify every possible defendant and maximize recovery for my clients.”

Damages in Refinery Accident Cases

Refinery accidents often cause catastrophic injuries requiring millions of dollars in lifetime care. The damages you can recover depend on who is liable and what claims apply:

Third-Party Claims (against non-employer defendants):

• Past and future medical expenses—often millions for burn care, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries
• Lost wages—past income lost due to injury
• Loss of earning capacity—future income lost if you can’t return to your pre-injury job
• Pain and suffering—compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
• Disfigurement—additional compensation for scarring and disfigurement, especially from burns
• Punitive damages—if the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or intentional

Wrongful Death Claims (when a worker is killed):

• Lost financial support—the present value of the worker’s future earnings
• Lost benefits and retirement contributions
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and society
• Mental anguish of surviving family members
• Loss of parental guidance (for children who lost a parent)

Our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous injured individuals and families facing trucking-related wrongful death cases recover millions of dollars in compensation. The same aggressive advocacy applies to refinery and industrial accident cases.

For information about wrongful death claims: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Recent Major Refinery Accidents: The Danger Is Real and Ongoing

Texas refinery accidents aren’t ancient history. They’re happening right now, with alarming regularity:

October 2024: PEMEX Deer Park Hydrogen Sulfide Release

On October 10, 2024, the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery (formerly Shell Deer Park) released approximately 27,000 pounds—13.5 tons—of hydrogen sulfide gas. Two contract workers were killed. Thirteen others were injured. Shelter-in-place orders forced residents of Deer Park and Pasadena to remain indoors.

Hydrogen sulfide is deadly at very low concentrations. At 100 ppm, it causes immediate respiratory distress. At 500 ppm, it can kill within minutes. The workers at PEMEX Deer Park had no chance.

Both OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) are investigating. Early indications point to maintenance practices and energy isolation procedures—the same types of failures that caused the BP Texas City explosion.

December 2025: BWC Channelview Sulfuric Acid Spill

A catwalk collapse at BWC facility near Channelview ruptured a sulfuric acid supply line, releasing approximately one million gallons of concentrated sulfuric acid. Some entered the Houston Ship Channel. Two workers were hospitalized; over 40 received medical evaluation.

March 2024: PEMEX Deer Park Oil Spill

An overflow from a sump at PEMEX Deer Park released oil into the Houston Ship Channel. Containment booms were deployed, and cleanup was completed—but only after the spill reached the water.

The Pattern Is Clear

Since 2021, at least 15 chemical explosions, fires, and toxic releases have occurred along the Houston Ship Channel alone—causing at least one fatality and 28+ injuries. These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re the predictable result of an industry that prioritizes production over safety, quarterly profits over worker lives.

If you’ve been injured in a refinery or chemical plant accident—or if you’ve lost a loved one—call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’ve fought billion-dollar corporations before. We’ll fight for you.

Federal Regulations: The Safety Standards Refineries Must Follow

Refineries and chemical plants are subject to extensive federal safety regulations. When facilities violate these regulations and workers are injured, the violations become powerful evidence of negligence.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM)

OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard (29 CFR 1910.119) applies to facilities handling highly hazardous chemicals above threshold quantities. Nearly every refinery and major chemical plant is covered. PSM requires:

• Process Hazard Analysis—systematic identification of potential hazards
• Written Operating Procedures—clear procedures for safe operation
• Employee Training—comprehensive training on hazards and procedures
• Mechanical Integrity—proper maintenance of critical equipment
• Management of Change—formal review before modifying processes or equipment
• Pre-Startup Safety Review—safety verification before starting modified equipment
• Hot Work Permits—formal authorization for welding and other ignition sources
• Incident Investigation—thorough investigation of near-misses and incidents
• Emergency Planning—preparation for potential emergencies
• Compliance Audits—regular internal safety audits

When refinery accidents occur, PSM violations are often present. Our experience in BP explosion litigation taught us exactly how to investigate PSM compliance, identify violations, and use them to prove negligence.

EPA Risk Management Program (RMP)

The EPA’s Risk Management Program requires facilities handling certain hazardous substances to develop risk management plans, conduct hazard assessments, and prepare for emergency releases. RMP violations can support both personal injury claims and contribute to regulatory enforcement.

Other Applicable Regulations

Depending on the circumstances, refinery accidents may also involve violations of:

• OSHA General Duty Clause—requiring employers to provide workplaces free of recognized hazards
• OSHA Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)—procedures for controlling hazardous energy during maintenance
• OSHA Confined Space Entry—permit requirements for entering confined spaces
• OSHA Fall Protection—requirements for fall protection systems
• OSHA Hazard Communication—requirements for chemical labeling and safety data sheets
• Pipeline Safety Regulations—if pipelines are involved
• Coast Guard Maritime Regulations—for waterfront facilities

Ralph Manginello’s federal court experience is critical for navigating these complex regulatory frameworks. When we prove regulatory violations, we build powerful negligence cases.

Don’t Face Industrial Giants Alone: Contact Attorney911

Refinery companies have unlimited resources to defend themselves. They hire armies of lawyers. They retain expert witnesses. They control evidence. They know that most injured workers can’t afford prolonged litigation.

They’re counting on you to give up.

At Attorney911, we level the playing field:

• BP explosion litigation experience—proven capability against the biggest industrial defendants
• Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years and federal court admission—the experience and credentials for complex industrial cases
• Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge—defense tactics anticipated and defeated
• Resources to match corporate defendants—we invest whatever is necessary to prosecute your case
• Contingency fees—you pay nothing unless we win

Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Learn more about our attorneys: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/
Contact us today: https://attorney911.com/contact/

Hablamos Español. Attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and available to assist Spanish-speaking workers throughout Texas.

Major Refineries and Chemical Plants Along the Houston Ship Channel

The Houston Ship Channel is the industrial heart of America’s energy sector. From Houston to Galveston Bay, over 400 petrochemical facilities process crude oil, manufacture chemicals, and create the products that power modern life. These facilities also employ hundreds of thousands of workers in some of the most dangerous jobs in America.

Attorney911 serves workers injured at facilities throughout the Ship Channel corridor:

ExxonMobil Baytown Complex

The ExxonMobil Baytown Complex is one of the largest integrated petrochemical complexes in the world, spanning approximately 3,400 acres along the Houston Ship Channel. It includes:

• Baytown Refinery—one of the largest refineries in the United States, processing hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily
• Baytown Olefins Plant—one of the largest ethylene manufacturing operations globally
• Baytown Chemical Plant—producing plastics, synthetic rubber, and specialty chemicals

The scale and complexity of ExxonMobil Baytown means thousands of workers face daily exposure to process hazards, heavy equipment, elevated work, and toxic chemicals. When accidents occur, ExxonMobil has unlimited resources to defend itself. Attorney911 has the experience—including BP explosion litigation—to take them on.

PEMEX Deer Park Refinery and Chemical Plant

Formerly Shell Deer Park, this complex is now owned and operated by PEMEX, Mexico’s state oil company. The complex includes:

• Deer Park Refinery—processing 275,000-340,000 barrels of crude oil per day
• Deer Park Chemical Plant—manufacturing petrochemicals and industrial chemicals

The October 2024 hydrogen sulfide release that killed two workers and injured thirteen occurred at this facility. OSHA and CSB investigations are ongoing. If you were injured or lost a loved one in that incident—or any incident at PEMEX Deer Park—call Attorney911 immediately.

Valero Houston Refinery

Located directly on the Houston Ship Channel, Valero Houston Refinery processes sweet crude and intermediate oils into gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and other products. Valero is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners in North America.

Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery

Just off the entrance to the Houston Ship Channel in Texas City—the same city where the BP explosion occurred—Marathon Galveston Bay is one of the nation’s largest refineries, processing 585,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The facility produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane, and petrochemical feedstocks.

LyondellBasell Houston Refinery

Operating since 1918, LyondellBasell’s Houston Refinery has been a Ship Channel fixture for over a century. The refinery produces gasoline, lubricant base stock, propylene, and other products. LyondellBasell announced plans to close this refinery by Q1 2025, but workers continue to be exposed to hazards during the shutdown process.

Chevron Pasadena Refinery

Acquired by Chevron in 2019, the Pasadena Refinery processes approximately 115,700 barrels per day. Located in Pasadena along the Ship Channel, the facility presents the same hazards as other major refineries.

Other Ship Channel Facilities

Hundreds of additional facilities line the Houston Ship Channel, including:

• Hartree Refining LLC (Channelview)
• Kinder Morgan Crude & Condensate (Galena Park)
• Petromax Refining Co. LLC (Houston)
• Air Products (Pasadena)
• DuPont (LaPorte)
• Rohm & Haas/Dow (Deer Park)
• Hundreds of chemical manufacturing, storage, and distribution facilities

No matter which facility injured you, Attorney911 has the experience to investigate, identify responsible parties, and pursue maximum compensation.

Beaumont and the Golden Triangle: Petrochemical Capital of Southeast Texas

Southeast Texas—particularly the Golden Triangle of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange—is dominated by petrochemical industry. Major facilities include:

ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery

The ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery processes crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Like all ExxonMobil facilities, it presents significant hazards to workers.

Motiva Port Arthur Refinery

The Motiva Port Arthur Refinery is the largest refinery in North America, with processing capacity exceeding 600,000 barrels per day. The sheer scale of operations means correspondingly massive potential for serious accidents.

Total Port Arthur Refinery

TotalEnergies operates a major refinery in Port Arthur, processing Gulf Coast crude into fuel and petrochemical products.

Valero Port Arthur Refinery

Valero’s Port Arthur facility is another major refinery in the Golden Triangle, processing heavy crude into transportation fuels.

Numerous Chemical Plants

Beyond refineries, the Golden Triangle hosts chemical plants manufacturing plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, and specialty products. These facilities present chemical exposure hazards, process upsets, and equipment failures that injure workers regularly.

BP Texas City: Where We Proved Our Capability

The BP Texas City Refinery—site of the March 23, 2005 explosion that killed 15 and injured 180+—is located between Houston and Beaumont. Attorney911’s involvement in BP explosion litigation gives us unique credibility for Golden Triangle industrial accident cases. We’ve already proven we can take on billion-dollar defendants and win.

Types of Refinery and Plant Workers We Represent

Industrial facilities employ diverse workforces in varying roles. Attorney911 represents all types of refinery and plant workers:

Process Operators

Process operators control refinery and chemical plant operations—monitoring equipment, adjusting processes, responding to upsets, and maintaining safe operations. They work in control rooms and throughout operating units, exposed to process hazards, chemical releases, and equipment failures.

When process operators are injured due to inadequate training, faulty equipment, or employer pressure to ignore safety procedures, Attorney911 fights for their rights.

Maintenance Workers

Maintenance technicians, mechanics, pipefitters, and electricians keep industrial facilities running. Their work is inherently dangerous—they often work on or near operating equipment, in confined spaces, at elevation, and with hazardous energy.

Maintenance work during turnarounds (scheduled facility shutdowns for major maintenance) is particularly dangerous. Tight schedules, fatigue from extended shifts, and pressure to minimize downtime create conditions where accidents happen.

Turnaround Workers

During turnarounds, refineries bring in hundreds or thousands of additional workers to perform intensive maintenance over compressed timeframes. These workers—often from out of state—may be unfamiliar with specific facility hazards. They work long hours under intense pressure to complete work quickly.

Turnaround accidents are common because of time pressure, fatigue, unfamiliar workers, and high-hazard work concentrated in short periods. If you were injured during a turnaround, call Attorney911.

Contract Workers

Many refinery workers aren’t directly employed by the facility owner. They work for contractors and subcontractors who provide specialized services: scaffolding erection, insulation installation, electrical work, mechanical repair, tank cleaning, catalyst handling, and dozens of other specialties.

Contract workers face unique challenges:

• Multiple potential defendants—your employer, the refinery owner, other contractors, and equipment manufacturers may all bear responsibility
• Complex workers’ compensation—which employer’s workers’ comp applies? Are you covered at all?
• Pressure from multiple directions—contractors face pressure from facility owners to work fast and from their own companies to minimize costs
• Unfamiliarity with facilities—contractors may not know facility-specific hazards

Lupe Peña’s defense experience includes defending contractor liability claims. He knows how facility owners and contractors try to shift blame onto each other—and onto the injured worker. Now he uses that knowledge to identify ALL responsible parties and maximize your recovery.

Instrumentation and Electrical Technicians

I&E technicians install, maintain, and repair the sophisticated control systems that monitor and operate industrial facilities. Their work involves electrical hazards, including arc flash risks that can cause severe burns, blindness, and death.

Scaffolding and Insulation Workers

Erecting scaffolding at height and installing/removing insulation on hot equipment presents fall hazards, heat exposure, and potential asbestos exposure in older facilities. These workers are often employed by specialty contractors.

Tank Cleaners and Confined Space Entry Workers

Cleaning tanks, vessels, and other confined spaces is among the most dangerous work in industrial facilities. Oxygen depletion, toxic atmospheres, engulfment in materials, and physical hazards inside confined spaces kill workers regularly.

Confined space fatalities often kill multiple workers—when one worker is overcome, rescuers who enter without proper preparation are killed as well. Tragically, inadequate confined space entry procedures and rescue planning cause many of these deaths.

Inspection and Quality Control Personnel

Inspectors who verify equipment integrity, monitor processes, and ensure compliance work throughout industrial facilities, exposed to the same hazards as operations and maintenance personnel.

Truck Drivers and Transportation Workers

Moving materials in and out of industrial facilities requires constant truck traffic. Truck drivers entering refineries face traffic hazards, loading/unloading hazards, and exposure to facility-wide risks. Learn more about truck accident claims: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/18-wheeler-accidents/

The Contract Worker Problem: Who Is Responsible When You’re Injured?

Contract workers face the most complex legal situations after refinery injuries. Understanding who is responsible—and who can be sued—requires experienced attorneys.

Multiple Layers of Contractors

A typical refinery project involves layers of contractors:

• Facility Owner/Operator (e.g., ExxonMobil, PEMEX, Valero)—owns the refinery and controls overall operations
• Prime Contractor—hired by facility owner to manage a project or turnaround
• Subcontractors—hired by prime contractor to perform specific work
• Sub-subcontractors—hired by subcontractors for specialized tasks
• Staffing Agencies—provide temporary workers to contractors

When you’re injured, determining which entities are responsible requires careful investigation. Each layer may point fingers at others. Each may have different insurance coverage. Each may have different safety responsibilities.

Workers’ Compensation Complications

Who is your employer? If you work for a staffing agency but are assigned to a contractor, which company is your employer for workers’ compensation purposes? The answer affects what benefits you receive and what claims you can pursue.

Does your employer have workers’ comp? Approximately one-third of Texas employers don’t carry workers’ compensation. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can sue them directly—often recovering far more than workers’ comp provides.

Joint employment situations where multiple companies control your work can create additional complexity—and additional sources of recovery.

Third-Party Claims Against Facility Owners

Even if your direct employer has workers’ compensation, you may be able to sue the facility owner (and other contractors) as third parties. This is often where the biggest recovery lies, because:

• Facility owners have substantial liability insurance
• Facility owners control overall site safety
• Facility owners create the hazards that injure contract workers
• Facility owners often pressure contractors to take shortcuts

Proving third-party liability against facility owners requires demonstrating that the owner controlled some aspect of the work or created the hazardous condition that injured you. Our BP explosion litigation experience includes exactly these types of claims.

The “Sophisticated Employer” Defense

Facility owners often claim they’re not responsible for contract worker injuries because the contractor was a “sophisticated employer” who should have protected its own employees. This defense essentially argues that the contractor—not the facility owner—is responsible for worker safety.

Lupe Peña has seen this defense countless times from the other side: “Facility owners hire contractors specifically so they can shift blame when workers get hurt. They’ll claim the contractor was responsible for safety even when the facility owner created the hazard, controlled the schedule, and pressured the contractor to cut corners. We know how to defeat this defense by proving the facility owner’s control and culpability.”

Investigation Is Critical

Untangling contractor relationships requires immediate investigation:

• Contracts between parties—what safety responsibilities did each company accept?
• Safety meeting records—what did the facility owner tell contractors about hazards?
• Training documentation—who trained the injured worker and on what?
• Incident reports—what happened and how do the companies describe it?
• OSHA citations—which companies were cited for what violations?

Attorney911 begins investigating immediately when you call. We preserve evidence before it disappears and identify all responsible parties while the trail is fresh.

Specific Types of Serious Injuries in Refinery Accidents

Refinery accidents cause some of the most catastrophic injuries possible. Understanding the severity helps you understand why experienced attorneys matter.

Severe Burns

Burns from refinery fires and explosions are devastating. Third-degree burns destroy skin completely, requiring extensive skin grafting. Burns over large body surface areas require months of hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and years of rehabilitation. Burn pain is among the most severe pain imaginable. Scarring and disfigurement are permanent.

Burn treatment costs often exceed $1 million for severe cases. Lifetime costs including rehabilitation, scar revision surgeries, and lost earning capacity can reach tens of millions.

Chemical burns from acid, caustic, or other corrosive substances cause similar devastation. Even small chemical splashes can cause permanent injury.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Explosions, falls, and struck-by incidents cause traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe TBI with permanent cognitive impairment. Severe TBI can leave victims unable to work, care for themselves, or maintain relationships.

Our documented case result includes a multi-million dollar settlement for a client who suffered brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company—demonstrating our capability for catastrophic brain injury cases.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Falls, struck-by incidents, and explosions can damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis. Paraplegia (paralysis of lower body) and quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) require lifetime care costing millions of dollars. Victims may need 24-hour attendant care, specialized equipment, and accessible housing modifications.

Amputations

Caught-in/between accidents, crush injuries, and severe burns sometimes require amputation of fingers, hands, arms, feet, or legs. Our documented case result includes a case settling in the millions for a client whose leg was injured in a car accident and eventually required partial amputation—demonstrating our experience with amputation cases.

Respiratory Injuries and Chemical Exposure

Inhaling toxic gases, fumes, or particulates causes both immediate and long-term respiratory damage. Acute exposures can be fatal (as seen in the PEMEX hydrogen sulfide release). Long-term exposures can cause occupational asthma, COPD, lung fibrosis, and cancer.

Chemical exposure may not cause immediate symptoms but result in cancer or other diseases years later. Benzene exposure, for example, causes leukemia with latency periods of 10-20 years.

Hearing Loss

Industrial noise exposure causes occupational hearing loss. Explosions can cause immediate, permanent deafness. Even gradual hearing loss from years of noise exposure without adequate protection impairs quality of life and employability.

Eye Injuries and Blindness

Chemical splashes, arc flash, flying debris, and other hazards cause eye injuries ranging from irritation to permanent blindness. Eye loss qualifies as a Serious Incident Report (SIR) to OSHA.

Toxic Exposure and Occupational Disease

Long-term exposure to refinery chemicals causes occupational diseases including:

• Cancers—leukemia from benzene, lung cancer from various chemicals, bladder cancer from aromatic amines
• Respiratory diseases—asthma, COPD, mesothelioma from asbestos in older facilities
• Neurological damage—from heavy metals and solvents
• Reproductive harm—from various chemical exposures

These diseases may develop years after exposure, creating challenges for identifying responsible employers and meeting statutes of limitations. Experienced attorneys understand how to pursue occupational disease claims.

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Refinery Accident

The steps you take immediately after a refinery accident significantly affect your legal rights:

1. Report the Injury Immediately

Report your injury to your supervisor and ensure it’s documented. Request copies of any incident reports. Take photographs if possible—of the scene, your injuries, equipment involved. Get names and contact information of witnesses.

2. Seek Medical Attention

Get medical treatment immediately. If your employer directs you to a company doctor, go—but also see your own physician for an independent evaluation. Company doctors often minimize injuries to protect the employer.

3. Don’t Give Recorded Statements Without an Attorney

Your employer and their insurance company will want a recorded statement quickly. Anything you say can be used against you. As Lupe Peña warns: “Those statements are designed to lock you into a version of events that helps the defense, not you. Wait until you have an attorney.”

4. Document Everything

Keep records of all medical treatment, prescriptions, and expenses. Document your symptoms and how the injury affects your daily life. Save all correspondence from employers, insurance companies, and workers’ compensation administrators.

5. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911

The sooner you call, the sooner we can preserve evidence, send spoliation letters to prevent evidence destruction, and begin building your case. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

The Legal Process in Refinery Accident Cases

Refinery and industrial accident cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. Multiple defendants, intricate regulatory frameworks, sophisticated corporate defense strategies, and massive damages require experienced attorneys who know how to navigate every stage.

Phase 1: Immediate Investigation and Evidence Preservation

When you contact Attorney911, we immediately begin investigating:

Evidence Preservation Letters: We send formal spoliation letters to all potential defendants—your employer, the facility owner, contractors, equipment manufacturers—demanding they preserve all evidence related to your injury. This includes:

• Surveillance footage (often overwritten within 7-30 days)
• Electronic data from control systems and equipment
• Incident reports and investigation documents
• Training records
• Maintenance logs
• Safety meeting minutes
• Emails and communications about the incident
• Equipment involved in the incident (before repair or modification)

Failure to preserve evidence after receiving our letter can result in severe sanctions—including adverse jury instructions that the destroyed evidence would have proven our case.

Scene Investigation: Our investigators document the accident scene before evidence is altered. We photograph equipment, measure distances, identify witnesses, and preserve physical evidence. For complex cases, we engage expert consultants immediately:

• Industrial engineers and safety consultants—to evaluate equipment and procedures
• Process safety experts—to analyze process upsets and safety system failures
• Metallurgists—to examine failed equipment for material defects
• Explosion investigators—to determine explosion causes and origins
• Industrial hygienists—to evaluate chemical exposures

Ralph Manginello’s BP explosion litigation experience taught us exactly what evidence matters in major industrial accident cases. We investigate like we’re preparing for trial from day one.

Witness Interviews: We identify and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh. Co-workers, supervisors, safety personnel, emergency responders—anyone who saw what happened or has relevant knowledge. Witness testimony is critical for proving what went wrong and who was responsible.

Regulatory Investigation Coordination: Serious refinery accidents trigger OSHA investigations (and sometimes CSB for major chemical releases). We monitor and coordinate with regulatory investigations, obtaining OSHA citation information and using regulatory findings to support your civil case.

Phase 2: Medical Evidence and Damages Documentation

While investigating liability, we simultaneously document your damages:

Medical Records Collection: We obtain complete medical records from all treating providers—emergency rooms, hospitals, surgeons, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists. For complex injuries, we work with life care planners to project lifetime medical needs and costs.

Independent Medical Evaluations: Unlike insurance company IMEs designed to minimize your injuries, we arrange evaluations with independent medical experts who can objectively assess your condition, future treatment needs, and prognosis.

Economic Expert Analysis: For serious injuries affecting your ability to work, economists calculate:

• Past lost wages
• Future lost earning capacity (considering your career trajectory, raises, promotions, benefits)
• Household services you can no longer provide
• Fringe benefits lost

Vocational Assessment: Vocational experts evaluate what work (if any) you can still perform, what retraining might be needed, and how your earning capacity has been affected.

Phase 3: Workers’ Compensation Coordination

If workers’ compensation applies to your case, we coordinate your workers’ comp claim while pursuing third-party claims:

Ensuring Adequate Benefits: Workers’ comp provides limited benefits—typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a statutory maximum, plus medical expenses. We ensure you receive all benefits you’re entitled to while pursuing additional recovery through third-party claims.

Subrogation Coordination: If you recover from a third party, your workers’ compensation carrier has subrogation rights—they’re entitled to reimbursement for benefits paid. We negotiate subrogation liens to maximize your net recovery.

Non-Subscriber Claims: If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation, we pursue direct claims against your employer—often resulting in substantially larger recoveries than workers’ comp provides.

Phase 4: Demand and Negotiation

Once we’ve completed investigation and compiled comprehensive damages evidence, we present formal demands to defendants and their insurers:

Comprehensive Demand Package: Our demand includes detailed liability evidence, regulatory violation documentation, medical records and expert reports, economic analysis, and our settlement demand. This shows defendants exactly what they face at trial.

Strategic Negotiation: Lupe Peña’s defense experience drives our negotiation strategy:

“I know what insurance companies are actually willing to pay versus what they offer initially. I know how to escalate within insurance company hierarchies. I know when to accept reasonable offers and when to push harder. And I know that most defendants fear trial—especially jury trials with severely injured workers. We leverage that fear to get fair results without necessarily going to court.”

Multiple Defendant Coordination: When multiple defendants are involved, we strategically negotiate with each to maximize total recovery. Sometimes settling with one defendant creates pressure on others. Sometimes defendants point fingers at each other—which we use to our advantage.

Phase 5: Filing Suit (If Necessary)

If defendants won’t offer fair compensation, we file suit. Many refinery cases require litigation because:

• Defendants dispute liability
• Damages are substantial and defendants want to minimize them
• Multiple defendants blame each other
• Discovery is needed to prove the case fully

Where We File:

• Harris County District Courts—for Houston Ship Channel cases
• Jefferson County District Courts—for Golden Triangle cases
• Other Texas county courts—depending on where the accident occurred
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—for cases involving federal law, diverse citizenship, or complex multi-state issues. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court.

Complex Case Designation: Serious refinery cases often qualify for complex case designation, providing additional case management resources and expedited discovery.

Phase 6: Discovery

Discovery—the formal exchange of information between parties—is where complex industrial cases are often won or lost:

Written Discovery: We send interrogatories (written questions) and document requests demanding:

• All incident investigation materials
• Prior similar incidents (showing the defendant knew of hazards)
• Safety policies and whether they were followed
• Training records
• Maintenance records for equipment involved
• Communications about safety concerns
• Insurance coverage information

Depositions: We depose (take sworn testimony from) key witnesses:

• Your supervisors and co-workers
• Safety managers and safety committee members
• Corporate representatives
• Equipment manufacturers’ representatives
• Expert witnesses

Expert Discovery: Both sides identify expert witnesses who will testify about liability and damages. We retain leading industrial safety experts, medical experts, and economic experts. We challenge defense experts’ qualifications and opinions through depositions and motions.

Phase 7: Mediation and Settlement

Most refinery cases settle before trial. Settlement provides certainty and faster resolution. But settlement should only happen at a fair amount:

Mediation: Courts typically require mediation before trial. We prepare comprehensive mediation statements presenting our evidence and damage calculations. A neutral mediator facilitates negotiation.

Settlement Evaluation: Before recommending any settlement, we ensure you understand:

• The likely range of trial outcomes
• Trial risks and uncertainties
• Time and costs of continued litigation
• Whether the offer fairly compensates your injuries
• Tax implications
• How the settlement affects future benefits

Phase 8: Trial (If No Settlement)

Attorney911 prepares every case for trial—because insurance companies know which attorneys actually try cases and which always settle:

“When I defended industrial cases, we identified plaintiff attorneys who never went to trial. We made lowball offers knowing they’d eventually accept. But against trial attorneys with records of taking verdicts, we had to offer fair settlements to avoid devastating jury verdicts.” — Lupe Peña

Ralph Manginello has trial experience spanning 25+ years. His federal court admission means we can try complex industrial cases in federal court when appropriate. Our BP explosion litigation experience proves we can handle the most sophisticated industrial cases.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Refinery Accident Case

Not all personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle complex refinery and industrial accident cases. Here’s why Attorney911 stands apart:

1. BP Explosion Litigation Experience: Proven Capability Against Industry Giants

Our involvement in BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation isn’t just a credential—it’s proof that we can take on and beat the most powerful industrial defendants on Earth.

BP is one of the largest oil companies in the world. After the March 23, 2005 explosion killed 15 workers and injured 180+, BP deployed unlimited legal resources to minimize its exposure. Only a handful of Texas firms had the capability, resources, and determination to fight BP effectively.

Attorney911 was one of them.

That experience—understanding complex industrial operations, navigating federal litigation, facing armies of corporate lawyers, and achieving results—informs every refinery case we handle today.

2. Lupe Peña’s Insurance Defense Background: Knowing the Enemy

Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies and corporations against injured worker claims. He knows every defense tactic because he used them:

• Blaming the worker—claiming “operator error” or violation of safety rules
• Minimizing injuries—hiring IME doctors who always find workers exaggerate
• Hiding behind workers’ comp—claiming workers’ comp is the only remedy when third-party claims exist
• Using sophisticated employer defenses—claiming contractors were responsible for their own workers’ safety
• Destroying evidence—using document retention policies to eliminate damaging evidence
• Delay tactics—stretching litigation hoping injured workers give up

Now Lupe uses that exact knowledge to anticipate and defeat defense tactics before they’re deployed. Insurance companies can’t surprise us—we know their playbook.

3. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ Years and Federal Court Experience

Complex refinery cases require experienced attorneys with federal court credentials:

• 25+ years of personal injury experience—Ralph has handled every type of industrial injury case
• Admission to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—federal court admission essential for cases involving federal regulations and interstate commerce
• Trial experience—defendants know Ralph will take cases to verdict if they won’t offer fair compensation
• Deep Houston roots—raised in Memorial, lives in the community where these facilities operate

4. Resources to Match Corporate Defendants

Refinery companies have unlimited resources. They’ll spend whatever it takes to defeat your claim. Many law firms can’t afford to fight that battle.

Attorney911 has the resources to go the distance:

• We hire leading industrial safety experts regardless of cost
• We retain top medical experts and life care planners
• We engage economists to calculate every dollar of your damages
• We conduct comprehensive investigations with experienced investigators
• We prepare every case for trial even when we expect to settle

You pay nothing out of pocket. We front all case expenses and recover them only if we win.

5. Documented Results

At Attorney911, our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous injured individuals and families facing catastrophic injury cases recover millions of dollars in compensation. Our documented results include:

• Multi-million dollar settlement for client who suffered brain injury with vision loss in workplace accident
• Case settled in the millions for client whose leg was injured in car accident, leading to amputation
• Millions recovered for families facing trucking-related wrongful death cases
• BP explosion litigation involvement—one of the few Texas firms involved
• Active $10 million lawsuit against University of Houston and fraternity, demonstrating our willingness to take on institutional defendants

6. Statewide Presence: Houston, Austin, Beaumont

Attorney911 serves industrial workers throughout Texas:

• Houston Office—serving the Houston Ship Channel, Harris County, and the greater Houston metropolitan area
• Beaumont Office—serving the Golden Triangle, Jefferson County, Orange County, and Southeast Texas
• Austin Office—serving Central Texas construction and industrial workers

Whether you were injured at ExxonMobil Baytown, PEMEX Deer Park, Motiva Port Arthur, or any facility in Texas, we’re here for you.

7. Compassionate, Responsive Service

Our 4.9-star rating across 251+ Google reviews reflects how we treat our clients:

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.” — Chad Harris

“When I felt I had no hope or direction, Leonor reached out to me…She took all the weight of my worries off my shoulders.” — Stephanie Hernandez

“Mr. Manginello guided me through the whole process with great expertise…tenacious, accessible, and determined.” — Jamin Marroquin

We assign dedicated case managers (many clients specifically mention Leonor, Melani, Amanda, and Zulema) who keep you informed throughout your case. You have direct access to your attorney. We return calls promptly. We treat you like family.

8. Bilingual Services: Hablamos Español

Many refinery and construction workers are Spanish-speaking. Attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. We serve Spanish-speaking workers without language barriers—ensuring you fully understand your rights and options.

Lupe is a 3rd generation Texan with King Ranch family heritage, deeply connected to Texas’s Hispanic community.

9. No Fee Unless We Win: Zero Financial Risk

We work on contingency: you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. We front all case costs and recover them only from your recovery. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

How our fee structure works:

• If we settle before filing suit: 33.33% of recovery
• If we go to trial: 40% of recovery
• If we recover nothing: you owe us nothing

This means you can pursue your case against billion-dollar corporations without any financial risk. We bet on ourselves—and on you.

Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait

Texas law imposes strict deadlines for filing injury claims:

Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of injury to file suit for most personal injury claims.

Workers’ Compensation Claims: One year from the date of injury to report work-related injuries for workers’ compensation benefits.

Occupational Disease: More complex—the limitations period may not begin until you knew or should have known about the disease and its connection to workplace exposure. But waiting is still dangerous.

Beyond legal deadlines, evidence disappears every day:

• Surveillance footage is overwritten
• Witnesses forget details and move away
• Equipment is repaired, modified, or scrapped
• Documents are destroyed under retention policies
• Companies restructure, change ownership, or file bankruptcy

The sooner you call, the better your case. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Refinery Accident Claims

Can I sue my employer if I was injured in a refinery accident?

It depends on whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is a workers’ comp “subscriber,” you typically cannot sue them directly—your remedy is limited to workers’ comp benefits. However, you CAN sue third parties whose negligence caused your injury, including facility owners (if you’re a contractor), other contractors, equipment manufacturers, and maintenance companies.

If your employer is a workers’ comp “non-subscriber” (about one-third of Texas employers opt out), you CAN sue them directly for negligence—often resulting in much larger recoveries than workers’ comp provides. At Attorney911, we identify all potential defendants to maximize your recovery.

What if I was working for a contractor when I was injured at a refinery?

This is actually favorable for your case. As a contractor employee, you typically CAN sue the facility owner (the refinery company) as a third party. You may also have claims against other contractors on site, equipment manufacturers, and other parties beyond your employer.

Multiple defendants often means multiple insurance policies—and larger potential recovery. Our team carefully investigates contractor relationships to identify all responsible parties.

How much is my refinery accident case worth?

Value depends on injury severity, liability clarity, damages documentation, and defendants’ insurance coverage. Refinery accident cases involving serious injuries often result in settlements or verdicts in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars because:

• Injuries are often severe (burns, amputations, TBI, spinal cord injuries)
• Medical expenses are substantial
• Lost earning capacity is significant (refinery workers often earn good wages)
• Industrial facilities have substantial insurance coverage
• Regulatory violations provide strong negligence evidence

Our documented results include multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injuries. We hire economists and experts to calculate every dollar of your damages.

What if I signed a waiver or release when I started working?

Many contractors require workers to sign liability waivers. These waivers have limited effectiveness in Texas. Courts generally don’t enforce waivers that attempt to release employers from liability for their own negligence. Don’t assume a waiver bars your claim—contact Attorney911 for a case evaluation.

What if I might have been partially at fault for the accident?

Texas follows “proportionate responsibility” rules. You can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault—as long as you weren’t more than 50% responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example: if damages are $2 million but you’re found 20% at fault, you’d recover $1.6 million. But if you’re found 51%+ at fault, you recover nothing.

Insurance companies always try to blame injured workers. Lupe Peña has seen every tactic used to shift blame onto workers. Now he anticipates and defeats those tactics for our clients.

What if I’m afraid of retaliation if I file a claim?

This fear is understandable, especially in close-knit industrial communities. But Texas law prohibits retaliation against workers who file workers’ compensation claims or report safety violations. If you’re fired or retaliated against for pursuing your legal rights, you may have additional claims.

Also consider: if you’re seriously injured and can’t work, what do you have to lose? Your priority must be your health, your family, and your financial security—not protecting the company that injured you.

How long does a refinery accident case take?

Most refinery accident cases take 12-36 months from hiring an attorney to resolution. Factors affecting timeline include:

• Injury severity and treatment duration
• Liability clarity
• Number of defendants
• Regulatory investigation outcomes
• Insurance company cooperation
• Court docket congestion

Complex cases involving multiple defendants, serious injuries, or disputed liability take longer. We balance moving aggressively with developing your case properly.

What if there’s an ongoing OSHA or CSB investigation?

Regulatory investigations can help your civil case. OSHA citations provide evidence of employer negligence. CSB investigation reports document root causes and failures. We monitor regulatory proceedings and use findings to strengthen your claim.

However, regulatory investigations focus on preventing future incidents—not compensating injured workers. You need your own legal representation to protect YOUR interests.

What if I was exposed to chemicals and got sick later?

Occupational disease claims—cancer, respiratory disease, neurological damage from chemical exposure—present unique challenges. The disease may develop years after exposure. Proving causation requires expert testimony linking your condition to workplace chemicals.

Statutes of limitations for occupational disease are complex—the limitations period may not begin until you knew or should have known about the connection between your disease and workplace exposure. Don’t wait to consult an attorney if you’ve developed health problems you believe are work-related.

Do I need an attorney, or can I handle this myself?

Refinery accident cases are extraordinarily complex—multiple potential defendants, workers’ compensation coordination, regulatory frameworks, sophisticated corporate defenses, and massive damages calculations. Insurance companies have armies of lawyers working against you.

Can you navigate all of that yourself while recovering from serious injuries?

Attorney911 has BP explosion litigation experience. We’ve faced the most powerful industrial defendants and won. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Why wouldn’t you have experienced attorneys fighting for you?

What about wrongful death if my loved one was killed?

If your loved one was killed in a refinery accident, surviving family members (spouse, children, parents) can bring wrongful death claims. These claims can recover substantial damages including lost financial support, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.

Read more about wrongful death claims: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Serving Industrial Workers Across Texas

Attorney911 represents refinery and plant workers throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Beaumont, and Austin.

Houston and the Houston Ship Channel

Our Houston office serves workers at facilities throughout the Houston Ship Channel and greater Houston area:

Major Facilities We Serve:

• ExxonMobil Baytown Complex (Baytown Refinery, Olefins Plant, Chemical Plant)
• PEMEX Deer Park Refinery and Chemical Plant
• Valero Houston Refinery
• Chevron Pasadena Refinery
• LyondellBasell Houston Refinery
• Hartree Refining (Channelview)
• Air Products, DuPont, Rohm & Haas, and hundreds of chemical facilities
• Port of Houston terminals and maritime facilities

Counties Served:

• Harris County—Houston, Baytown, Pasadena, Deer Park, Channelview, La Porte, Galena Park, Jacinto City, Highlands
• Galveston County—Texas City, Galveston, La Marque, Dickinson
• Chambers County—Mont Belvieu, Baytown (part)
• Fort Bend County—Sugar Land, Missouri City, Rosenberg
• Brazoria County—Freeport, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Alvin, Pearland
• Montgomery County—The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring

Houston Ship Channel Court Experience: Harris County District Courts handle most Ship Channel injury cases. For federal claims or diverse citizenship, we file in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in federal court.

Beaumont and the Golden Triangle

Our Beaumont office serves workers throughout Southeast Texas, including the Golden Triangle industrial corridor:

Major Facilities We Serve:

• Motiva Port Arthur Refinery (largest in North America)
• ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery
• Total Port Arthur Refinery
• Valero Port Arthur Refinery
• Huntsman Corporation (Port Neches)
• BASF (Port Arthur)
• Oxbow Calcining (Port Arthur)
• Port of Beaumont terminals
• Numerous chemical plants throughout the Golden Triangle

Counties Served:

• Jefferson County—Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, Port Neches
• Orange County—Orange, Vidor, Bridge City, West Orange, Pinehurst
• Hardin County—Silsbee, Lumberton, Kountze

Golden Triangle Context: The Golden Triangle has historically faced devastating industrial accidents. The BP Texas City Refinery explosion occurred nearby. Our BP explosion litigation experience directly translates to representing Golden Triangle workers injured by similar corporate negligence.

Austin and Central Texas

Our Austin office serves workers in Central Texas construction and industrial settings:

• Travis County—Austin and surrounding areas
• Williamson County—Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander
• Hays County—San Marcos, Kyle, Buda
• Bastrop County—Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville

While Austin has fewer refineries than Houston or Beaumont, Central Texas hosts manufacturing plants, chemical facilities, and construction sites where industrial accidents occur. Our statewide resources serve Central Texas workers effectively.

Statewide Texas Representation

If you were injured at an industrial facility anywhere in Texas—the Permian Basin, Corpus Christi, Midland-Odessa, Victoria, or anywhere else—Attorney911 can help. We travel to meet with clients statewide, and our attorneys are licensed to practice throughout Texas.

Contact Attorney911 Today

You went to work expecting to come home safely. Your employer failed you. The corporation that owns the facility prioritized profits over your life. Now you’re facing medical bills, lost income, pain, and an uncertain future.

You deserve better. You deserve attorneys who have already proven they can take on the biggest industrial defendants—and win.

Attorney911 was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP explosion litigation after the March 23, 2005 disaster killed 15 workers and injured 180+. We faced a multinational oil giant worth hundreds of billions of dollars. We fought their armies of lawyers. We helped workers and families recover compensation.

We’ll fight the same fight for you.

What Happens When You Call

Free, Confidential Consultation: We meet with you—in person, by phone, or by video—to discuss what happened, assess your legal options, and answer your questions. No pressure, no obligation.

Immediate Investigation: If you hire us, we immediately preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and begin building your case. We send spoliation letters to defendants, demanding they preserve all relevant evidence.

We Handle Everything: You focus on recovering from your injuries. We handle dealings with insurance companies, employers, workers’ compensation, and anyone else involved. We deal with the legal complexity so you don’t have to.

No Fees Unless We Win: You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. We front all case costs. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Your Family Deserves Security

Serious industrial injuries change everything. You may not be able to return to your job. Medical bills may overwhelm you. Your family may face financial catastrophe. The stress compounds the physical pain.

The compensation you recover isn’t just money—it’s your family’s future security. It’s ensuring your kids can still go to college. It’s keeping your home. It’s affording the medical treatment you need. It’s replacing the income you’ve lost.

Don’t let corporate negligence destroy your family’s financial future the way it destroyed your health. Fight back.

Contact Information

• Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
• Phone: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Online: https://attorney911.com/contact/

Houston Office:
Attorney911 – The Manginello Law Firm
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
Serving the Houston Ship Channel, Harris County, and Greater Houston

Beaumont Office:
Serving Jefferson County, Orange County, Hardin County, and the Golden Triangle

Austin Office:
Serving Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, and Central Texas

Our Attorneys

Ralph Manginello, Managing Partner
Texas Bar since 1998 (25+ years)
Admitted to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
One of the few Texas firms involved in BP explosion litigation
Federal court experience | Complex industrial litigation | Billions in corporate defendant experience
Learn more: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/

Lupe Peña, Associate Attorney
Texas Bar since 2012
Former insurance defense attorney at national defense firm
Insider knowledge of defense tactics and insurance company strategies
Fluent Spanish—hablamos español
3rd generation Texan with King Ranch family heritage

Related Practice Areas

Attorney911 represents injured workers and accident victims across many practice areas:

• Wrongful Death Claims: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Car Accidents: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/car-accidents/
• 18-Wheeler Accidents: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/18-wheeler-accidents/
• Motorcycle Accidents: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/motorcycle-accidents/
• Drunk Driving Accidents: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/drunk-driving-accident-lawyer/
• Pedestrian Accidents: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/pedestrian-accidents/

Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Hablamos Español. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

Your employer failed you. We won’t.

One of the few Texas firms involved in BP explosion litigation.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.