Shreveport Plant Explosion Injury Attorney

Louisiana depends on heavy industrial plants, oil refineries, and chemical processing plants for much of its economy. Even though the hardworking men and women at these plants form a vital part of Louisiana’s workforce, their employers too-often view them as expendable units of labor.

When employers neglect to care for their employees’ safety, they greatly increase the risk of a catastrophic workplace accident that can harm dozens or even hundreds of workers. When a plant suffers an explosion, even more people can be affected as harmful chemicals make their way into the community.

If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a plant explosion, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have 679+ years of combined legal experience helping Shreveport victims of industrial accidents recover the compensation they need to heal from their injuries. Give us a call at 318.888.8888 for a free consultation on your situation or fill out our easy-to-use online form.

How Do Shreveport Explosion Accidents Happen?

The sad truth about plant explosions and industrial accidents is that the vast majority are preventable, that is, they’re caused by company negligence. Companies are responsible for keeping their employees safe by inspecting and maintaining machinery, safety equipment, and their facilities. When a company shirks their responsibilities, explosions can be caused by a number of reasons:

• Faulty wiring or electrical equipment
• Smoking near machinery or flammable substances
• Airborne particle buildup
• Untrained workforce
• Poor emergency preparation
• Human error

History of Plant Explosions and Fires in Shreveport

Shreveport chemical plants and refineries have suffered their fair share of catastrophic events, including explosions, fires, and others. Here are just a few of the terrible tragedies that have occurred in Caddo Parish in recent years:

• Calumet Plant: between 2000 and 2008, the Calumet plant on Midway Street experienced at least 10 fires or explosions, harming dozens of employees and putting hundreds of people at risk for serious injury
• Camp Minden, a corning mill plant near Shreveport, had 1,000 pounds of black powder explode in 2011, harming at least one worker
• Pennzoil-Quaker State Refinery: after a chemical explosion in 2000, 2 workers were injured
• Explo Systems Inc., a bomb recycling plant, experienced over 10 explosions in one day in 2006—forcing the evacuation of the entire town and 400 prisoners from a nearby jail

These are just a few of the multiple plant explosions and industrial accidents that have happened in north Louisiana over the years. Each one puts dozens or hundreds of people at risk of major injury or death, disrupts business, and causes millions in damages.

Common Injuries Suffered During Plant Explosions

Plant explosions are catastrophic, traumatic events. As such, the injuries victims of these events experience are often catastrophic as well. While Louisiana doesn’t have a legal definition for catastrophic injury, the following common plant accident injuries are often considered catastrophic:

• Extreme burns that require extensive surgeries, physical therapy, and can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Toxic chemical exposure leading to suffocation, organ damage, brain injury, and even death
• Internal organ damage resulting from the percussive force of an explosion
• Spinal cord injuries leading to temporary or permanent disability, including paralysis
• Tragically, wrongful death

What to Do After a Shreveport Plant Explosion

If you or a loved one was injured in an explosion in Shreveport or the surrounding areas, you need legal representation to ensure you’re properly compensated for your damages, which can include the following:

• Hospital bills
• Surgery costs
• Costs of physical therapy and medication
• Lost wages due to missing work
• Future lost wages due to an inability to work or a diminished capacity
• The cost of ongoing medical care or assistive devices
• The costs of your pain, suffering, and mental anguish
• The decreased quality of your life

Not just any law firm can represent victims of plant explosions. You need a legal team with the experience needed to fight against the big corporate owners of these plants and win. You need Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys.

Our Shreveport legal team has over 679+ years of combined legal experience fighting for Louisiana victims of negligence. We specialize in representing industrial fire victims and plant explosion victims, so you can trust that we have what it takes to win the compensation you deserve.

Give us a call today at 318.888.8888 for a free legal consultation. A dedicated personal injury lawyer will listen to your story and begin the process of winning you compensation immediately.