Spagnoletti Law Firm has filed a lawsuit against Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC on behalf of multiple workers who suffered serious injuries due to chemical exposure while performing maintenance work at an industrial facility. The lawsuit alleges that negligence and improper safety measures led to a preventable hazardous chemical release, resulting in severe health effects for the plaintiffs.
Incident Overview
On April 29, 2022, the plaintiffs—who were employed as boilermakers—were working on Level 3 of a Nylon Unit at the facility. They were in the process of replacing an elevated valve when a pipe located just one to two feet away began releasing an unknown substance. Initially, the workers believed the substance was harmless, as all pipes were supposed to be locked out before work began. The substance initially appeared to be dirty water, and the plaintiffs continued their work.
However, shortly thereafter, steam began rising from the floor where the liquid had accumulated, and a strong chemical odor filled the air. Some of the plaintiffs were splashed with the leaking substance, and all of them stood in the pooled chemical as they worked. The situation escalated when an employee at the facility saw the leak, pulled an alarm, radioed the control room, and ordered the workers to stop.
Two of the plaintiffs who had been splashed were rushed to safety showers, and all four were sent to the onsite medic for emergency treatment.
It was later revealed that the workers had been exposed to Therminol, a hazardous chemical known to cause severe health complications. The plaintiffs were subjected to direct skin contact and prolonged inhalation of the chemical for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, leading to serious injuries to their nervous system, respiratory system, eyes, throat, and lungs. The plaintiffs continue to experience significant health symptoms as a result of their exposure.
Failures That Led to the Chemical Exposure Incident
Industrial facilities that handle hazardous chemicals must adhere to strict safety protocols to protect workers from exposure. One of the most basic yet critical safety measures in any plant handling toxic substances is the lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure, which ensures that pipelines and equipment are safely deactivated before maintenance work begins. In this case, the failure to properly lock out the pipes created a dangerous environment where workers unknowingly came into contact with Therminol.
Beyond the lockout failure, the lack of proper hazard assessment meant that workers were not warned about the risks associated with the job. Without a clear understanding of the potential dangers, they continued working near the leaking pipe, unaware of the imminent threat to their health. A proper safety review should have identified any active or unsealed pipes, allowing the issue to be addressed before the workers were exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Compounding the issue was the failure to provide chemical detection or monitoring equipment that could have alerted workers to the presence of toxic substances before symptoms developed. Industrial facilities that use hazardous materials are required to have real-time monitoring systems and clear labeling of active chemical lines to prevent accidental exposure. The absence of these critical safety measures meant that workers were unknowingly subjected to a prolonged exposure event that could have been avoided.
Next Steps: Understanding Your Rights After a Workplace Chemical Exposure
Workers who suffer chemical exposure injuries due to negligence by plant operators, contractors, or equipment manufacturers have legal protections under state and federal workplace safety laws. These laws allow injured workers to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages and future loss of earning capacity due to long-term health complications.
- Pain and suffering, including both physical and emotional trauma.
- Long-term health monitoring, as chemical exposure injuries may result in chronic conditions that require ongoing medical care.
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation cases, third-party liability lawsuits allow injured workers to pursue full compensation beyond the limits of workers’ compensation benefits. Consulting an experienced industrial accident attorney ensures that all available legal avenues are pursued.
Contact Spagnoletti Law Firm for Industrial Chemical Exposure Claims
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to exposure to hazardous chemicals in an industrial setting, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. The attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm have experience handling cases involving chemical exposure, industrial accidents, and OSHA violations.
To learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call 713-804-9306 for a free consultation. There are strict deadlines for filing workplace injury claims, so don’t wait to take action.