Compensation Available After a Workplace Chemical Exposure Injury in Texas | Carabin Shaw Attorneys

Call toll-free: 1-800-862-1260

Hazardous chemical incidents, including toxic releases, fires, and explosions, occur nearly every day in the United States. A report from The Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform (EJHA) suggests an alarming increase in hazardous chemical incidents. In Texas, the robust petrochemical manufacturing and oil refineries make these accidents a common occurrence. Between looser environmental regulations and high temperatures, many injured industrial workers need a skilled attorney to secure the accident compensation they deserve.

Chemical exposures can lead to immediate injuries and long-term health effects. Often, victims require costly, ongoing medical treatment. For workers in oilfields, chemical plants, and those who’ve been exposed, it’s critical to understand the types of damages you may recover beyond workers’ compensation. If you’ve recently been exposed to a hazardous chemical and need help recovering compensation, contact the Texas workplace chemical exposure lawyers at Carabin Shaw today. These cases can be complex and take a long time. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to set up your free case review today!

Compensation for chemical exposure cases falls into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are financial losses that can be verified, while non-economic damages are subjective losses that can vary widely from case to case. The most common compensation for workplace chemical accidents includes:

• Medical treatment covers emergency care, hospital stays, bloodwork and imaging, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and more.
• Long-term monitoring considers the victim’s future medical care, including medication costs, periodic testing, and surveillance for illnesses that may appear years later after the incident.
• Lost wages are income lost during recovery, including missed benefits, bonuses, and overtime pay. Lost wages address past earnings.
• Reduced earning capacity is the diminished ability to perform the same job or earn the same salary due to permanent impairments, chronic pain, or disability from exposure. Loss of earning capacity considers future income loss.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress cover non-economic issues caused by the exposure, including physical pain, loss of enjoyment, and emotional distress.

While these are the primary ways a victim recovers chemical exposure injury compensation, there are other losses that can be added to your claim. Other recoverable losses encompass funeral costs, property contamination, and household services. Some cases may recover punitive damages in gross negligence cases.

Many injured employees believe that pursuing compensation through workers’ comp is the only pathway to recovery. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that an injured employee’s medical care and lost wages are covered, but other damages are barred. Workers’ comp generally bars suits against employers and excludes pain and suffering. Third-party liability claims, however, allow a victim to sue for a broader set of damages by targeting other parties who contributed to the incident, like:

• Equipment manufacturers
• Contractors
• Site owners
• Chemical suppliers

If you’re considering filing a third-party claim, consult a Texas workplace chemical exposure lawyer to review your options. Read our law firm’s client reviews from the many folks who trusted our Texas industrial exposure attorneys to recover fair and adequate compensation for their injuries.

Third-party liability often allows injured workers to recover significantly more than workers’ compensation alone, especially in oilfield, refinery, and industrial exposure cases. Several industry factors increase third-party exposure. Oilfields, refineries, and industrial plants commonly involve multiple employers, suppliers, and contractors. Faulty equipment, inadequate PPE, poor training, and negligent maintenance also bolster third-party negligence claims. A lawyer can advise you on which third parties are exposed in your case.

Documentation is vital to your claim. A competent attorney will advise you to keep copies of all relevant communication, medical records, and any official reports from your employer. An oilfield chemical exposure injury lawyer can help you preserve evidence, request logs, and collect witness statements. If you or a loved one suffered a hazardous exposure in Texas, consult a lawyer today.

Our top Texas law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations to anyone looking to explore their legal options who was involved in or affected by a workplace chemical exposure. Call 1-800-862-1260 today, 24/7, to book your free case review, or contact us online. We do not charge you unless we win your case, meaning you won't pay any out-of-pocket legal fees; you owe nothing unless we win. Contact our English- and Spanish-speaking attorneys today!

For more information:

• Key Findings: Chemical Incident Tracking 2021-2023
• Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters Website
• Texas has more chemical emergencies than any other state and they’re disproportionately affecting Latino communities