Spagnoletti Law Firm recently filed suit on behalf of a local resident who sustained serious injuries as a result of the release of chemicals at LyondellBasell plant located in La Porte, Texas. The lawsuit brings claims against LyondellBasell Acetyls, LLC, Lyondell Chemical Company and Equistar Chemicals, LP. The Plaintiff, a truck driver, was traveling on Highway 146 when traffic came to stand still as a result of the chemical release. The Plaintiff’s vehicle was surrounded by the chemical release. The lawsuit alleges:
Unbeknownst to Plaintiff, the fog was actually over 100,000 pounds of a mixture of various harmful chemicals including catalyst, acetic acid, methyl iodide, and hydrogen iodide which had been released into the air from the Lyondell Defendants’ La Porte Complex.
With no warning issued beforehand, our client experienced severe injuries as a result of the chemical leak from the nearby plant.
The lawsuit alleges all of the Defendants were negligent in the following ways:
(a) Failing to properly inspect the Acetyls Unit;
(b) Failing to properly maintain the Acetyls Unit;
(c) Failing to properly monitor the Acetyls Unit;
(d) Failing to properly inspect, maintain, repair and service equipment in the Acetyls Unit;
(e) Failing to properly monitor and oversee safety in the workplace, including but not limited to the Acetyls Unit;
(f) Failure to properly plan according to standard operating procedures and otherwise follow standard operating procedures;
(g) Failing to properly supervise the work being performed, including but not limited to any work performed in the Acetyls Unit;
(h) Failing to properly supervise their employees;
(i) Failing to properly train their employees;
(j) Failing to properly implement adequate safety policies and procedures;
(k) Failing to ensure safety systems in the Acetyls Unit were adequate and functional;
(l) Failing to recognize and remediate hazards;
(m) Failing to provide adequate warning to Plaintiff of the dangerous condition(s);
(n) Failing to adequately and properly mitigate harm after the release, including failures in shutting off or stopping the release;
(o) Failing to exercise due care and caution; and
(p) Violating OSHA regulations and standards.
The Plaintiff has asserted claims of negligence and gross negligence against the companies. The Plaintiff is represented by Spagnoletti Law Firm attorneys Marcus Spagnoletti and Eric J. Rhine.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving complex litigation in both federal and state court across the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience in litigation of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Our attorneys have the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones or those who have been seriously injured as a result of chemical exposure.
The experienced attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was seriously injured or died as a result of the the recent chemical release. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or 877-678-5864 to learn more about your legal rights.