Common Causes of Refinery Accidents in Texas and Your Legal Options as an Injured Worker

As of 2025, Texas has 35 operating petroleum refineries, the most of any state. Those refineries can process 6.3 million barrels of crude oil per day, about a third of the United States' total refining capacity. Most of the refineries in Texas are concentrated along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, particularly in Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. Refinery workers perform some of the most dangerous and demanding work in the country. If you have been hurt on the job at a petroleum refinery, speaking with a lawyer may help you understand both your legal options and rights.

At Carabin Shaw, you can call us at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to book your free case evaluation now. Check out our law firm’s client reviews to learn how we’ve helped other folks in similar situations. Our staff is available 24/7, so call us today!

Oil refineries are dangerous workplaces, even in the best of conditions. They may contain numerous hazards that can lead to devastating injuries, especially if safety procedures are ignored. Equipment malfunctions, human error, poor training, and inadequate maintenance can contribute to workplace accidents.

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), employers must follow workplace safety standards designed to protect employees from known or anticipated hazards. A Texas refinery accident lawyer can help review your case and determine if your employer violated your rights as an employee and you were injured as a result. Some of the most common dangers at refineries include:

• Fires and explosions
• Exposure to chemicals
• Equipment failure
• Falls
• Electrical hazards

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board investigates serious incidents in the oil and refinery industry and regularly identifies preventable factors that may contribute to Texas oil refinery accidents. Refinery accident injuries tend to be severe because employees are commonly exposed to high temperatures, flammable substances, heavy equipment, toxic chemicals, and high-pressure systems. Common injuries after accidents that may lead to a refinery worker injury claim include:

• Burn injuries, including thermal, chemical, and electrical burns
• Traumatic brain injuries due to falling objects, explosions, or slip-and-fall incidents
• Broken bones due to falls, equipment failure, and structural collapses
• Respiratory injuries due to chemical exposure or smoke inhalation
• Crush injuries, including amputations
• Hearing loss

Following an injury on the job, refinery workers may have access to a few different options when it comes to pursuing compensation. In some situations, a claim may involve equipment manufacturers, negligent contractors, or other responsible parties who contributed to the accident. An experienced refinery accident attorney in Texas can determine whether a third-party claim, workers’ compensation benefits, or another remedy is available to their client.

Preserving evidence early can strengthen a case, as well as properly documenting symptoms, doctors’ visits, and more. An attorney, especially if contacted early on, can help organize and document all relevant evidence.

The Texas workplace injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw are well-versed in the challenges that injured refinery employees and their families face after a serious accident. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us online or by phone at 1-800-862-1260, available 24/7, to schedule your free case evaluation. We have both English- and Spanish-speaking staff available to discuss your situation.

One of our attorneys can help you communicate with all relevant parties, including insurance companies, throughout the claims process. They can also gather evidence, help properly document relevant incidents, such as doctors’ visits, and preserve other records that may help with your case.

Seek guidance from a lawyer as soon as you can, as there are limits to how long you can pursue a claim after your injury or reasonable discovery of your injury.

For more information:

• Energy Information Administration
• OSHA - Worker Rights and Protections
• OSHA - Oil and Gas Extraction
• Chemical Safety Board