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Chemical Fire Burns After Texas Chemical Plant Explosion

On November 27th, 2019, more than 60,000 people were placed under evacuation orders in Port Neches, after a series of explosions at the local Texas Petroleum Chemical (TPC) plant. The evacuation order was lifted two days later, but the damage had already been done – and thousands of people have been left to deal with property damage and toxic chemical exposure in the wake of these incidents.

TPC has a long history of violating environmental laws and regulations. For the last two years alone, the company has been classified as a “high priority violator” by the Environmental Protection Agency. Now that their negligence could have serious long-term health consequences for all Port Neches residents, it’s time to hold TPC accountable for their lack of oversight.

Here at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, our attorneys are committed to helping you secure compensation for your injuries and property damage after the TPC plant explosion. Whether you were exposed to unsafe levels of gas and asbestos or injured in the blast, we will provide the compassionate counsel and relentless trial advocacy that you deserve.

Have you been affected by the Port Neches plant explosion? Contact us immediately at (888) 367-7160 to review your legal options.

Common Industrial Plant Explosion Injuries

Reports have noted that the Port Neches plant explosion could be felt for up to 30 miles away, and within a four-mile radius of the plant, homeowners struggled to find cover amid flying debris and shattered windows. While nobody was directly killed in the explosions, at least three plant workers were severely injured and even hospitalized. As of December 3rd, it’s still unknown how many other people suffered injuries and other damages in the blast.

Here are a few of the most common industrial plant explosion injuries:

Public safety officials have also voiced special concerns about gas exposure in Port Neches, as the TPC facility housed a significant amount of Butadiene. This gas has a gasoline-like odor and can cause cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other catastrophic illnesses with long-term exposure.

Potential Asbestos Exposure Risks

Whenever industrial plants explode, there’s also a strong chance that toxic chemicals will be released into the surrounding community, where they may linger for months or even years. In addition to the release of pressurized Butadiene gas, officials have reported that there was a significant amount of asbestos installed at the Port Neches plant – asbestos that has now blown into surrounding yards and houses.

Asbestos is the only known cause of pleural mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that targets the delicate mesothelium lining in the lungs and abdominal cavity. It can also cause several incurable, long-term lung diseases, including asbestosis. If you find a chalky white dust coating your property after the TPC plant explosion, you should contact an experienced asbestos exposure lawyer immediately.

Learn more about the symptoms of asbestos exposure here.

Committed to Protecting Our Community

Right now, the insurance claims adjusters for Texas Petroleum Chemical are working hard to get Port Neches residents to sign insurance waivers, effectively eliminating their right to file a lawsuit for injuries. But whether you’ve been exposed to asbestos or hurt by falling debris, you may need substantial compensation to account for your losses. When you sign a waiver for the company’s insurance claims adjusters, it will be much more difficult to seek appropriate recovery when you discover a life-altering illness later on.

Our team here at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC has deep ties to the local community in Port Neches, and one of our founding partners Aaron Heckaman calls this area home. As personal injury attorneys, we believe that companies like TPC should be held fully accountable when they commit negligence on this scale. Because we prepare every single case for trial, we can help you stand up to TPC and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.

We can handle any of the following claims:

  • Direct explosion injuries
  • Asbestos exposure injuries
  • Property damage and financial losses
  • Gas exposure injuries

Do you need to speak with an attorney? Call us or contact us online for more information.

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