What You Should Know About Industrial Accidents in Your Area
Accidents happen— it’s a fact of life. However, businesses that handle dangerous materials and equipment have a responsibility to do everything in their power to prevent accidents from happening.
When industrial accidents occur, communities in the surrounding area can sometimes be harmed, as well. While the workers at these plants are the most likely to face industrial injuries, those living near large plants may need to seek compensation if an accident negatively impacts their life .
If you’ve been harmed by an industrial accident, it can be difficult to determine both if you qualify for compensation and who should be held responsible. Read on to learn more about how communities can be harmed by industrial accidents, as well as who may be held liable, from your Houston industrial injury attorneys .
Chemical Exposure
One of the most common types of harm suffered during and after industrial accidents is chemical exposure. Those working near and with potentially dangerous chemicals are the most likely to be impacted by accidents, but major incidents can potentially impact whole communities.
Chemical exposure can be caused by several different types of accidents:
- Explosions
- Spills
- Fires
- Structure collapse
- Containment failure
What Causes Chemical Accidents?
Accidents like those listed above can be caused by a wide variety of failures and natural disasters. Failures that cause industrial accidents include but are not limited to:
- Failure to follow safety regulations
- Failure to properly train workers
- Failure to provide sufficient safety equipment
- Failure to maintain equipment
- Failure to implement reasonable precautionary measures to contain dangerous materials
- Faulty equipment, either due to improper use or manufacturing defects
Impacts on the Community
If a spill isn’t contained right away, it can negatively impact the surrounding area in a number of different ways:
- Ground water contamination
- Reduced air quality
- Respiratory exposure to chemicals
- Fires and structural damages in the community
Members of the community may be forced to evacuate, and may be left to deal with the property, physical, and financial damage.
Who Can Be Held Liable
It can be difficult to prove liability in the case of industrial injuries. Whether you were injured on the job or are harmed by a nearby industrial accident in your everyday life, different parties may be held responsible depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Liability in some cases may be relatively clear, but most cases require extensive investigating and evidence gathering.
Those who can be held liable for the harm caused by industrial accidents include the following:
- Workers
- Regulators
- Chemical supplier
- Plant owner or operator
- Equipment manufacturer
- Building or property manager
- Contractors responsible for maintenance or other services
In order to prove liability after an accident at a chemical plant or other industrial business, you will need comprehensive documentation, including medical records, as well as evidence like expert or witness testimony. An experienced industrial accident attorney can help you gather the information you need to make a strong case for relief.
Get Compensation for Your Industrial Injuries With the Help of Lapeze & Johns
Victims of industrial accidents sometimes miss the stance to seek the compensation they are rightfully owed because they simply don’t know about their right to financial relief.
If you’ve been injured at your workplace or exposed to toxic chemicals in your community, reach out to the experienced industrial accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns to learn about your legal path forward. Our dedicated attorneys can handle your case from start to finish and get you the compensation you deserve.
Reach out to your Houston industrial injury attorneys at Lapeze & Johns today to get started on your legal claim.
