Houma Plant & Refinery Accident Lawyers

What To Do After a Plant or Refinery Accident

In the hours, days, and weeks after a plant or refinery accident, it can be hard to know what to do. You may be in pain, worried about your job, and unsure about who is truly looking out for you and your best interests. Taking a few specific steps can help protect both your ongoing recovery and your legal rights.

After a plant or refinery injury in Houma, here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Seek Immediate Medical Care: Your safety comes first. Get medical attention right away, whether that means treatment from on-site medical staff, a nearby emergency room, or a specialist who can evaluate burns, inhalation injuries, orthopedic trauma, or head and spine injuries. Some injuries, especially those involving chemicals or smoke, may not show full symptoms immediately. A thorough medical evaluation not only ensures you get the treatment you need but also creates a record of your injuries and can help support your recovery.
• Report the Accident Right Away: Most employers require that work incidents be reported within a certain time. When you notify your employer, try to be accurate and complete about what you experienced but avoid guessing about causes or downplaying your symptoms. If possible, keep your own copy or notes of any incident forms or communications. If you are able, or if a trusted co-worker can help, gather basic information about the scene, including photos, names of witnesses, and any unusual conditions such as alarms, leaks, or equipment problems.
• Be Careful With Insurance and Company Communications: After a serious accident, company representatives or insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. They might ask for recorded statements, written reports, or medical authorizations. It is usually wise to be cautious about signing documents or making detailed statements before you have spoken with an attorney who represents only you. An investigation can reveal safety violations or equipment defects that are not obvious in the moment, and early statements can affect how fault is later viewed.

You do not have to navigate the aftermath of a plant or refinery accident on your own. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can talk to our attorneys, ask questions, and get clear guidance about your options. If you were hurt at work, you can call (985) 331-7832 to speak with our team and learn how we can help.

How Plant & Refinery Accident Claims Work

Plant and refinery accidents rarely have a single, straightforward cause. A serious incident may involve poor safety practices, insufficient equipment maintenance, substandard contractor work, and the actions of many different people. Understanding how these types of claims often work can help you see why it is important to have a legal team that knows how to help.

Workers' Compensation & Third Party Claims

In many situations, an injured worker may be entitled to workers' compensation. These benefits are usually handled through the employer or its insurer and can provide medical coverage and a portion of lost wages. In addition to workers' compensation, there may also be what is called a third party claim. This type of claim can arise when another company, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or maintenance provider, contributed to the accident through unsafe work, defective products, or failures to follow safety rules.

Multiple Companies & Safety Rules

Multiple parties might be liable for a plant or refinery accident in Louisiana. Plant owners may be accountable for overall safety policies and training. Contractors and subcontractors may be responsible for specific tasks, such as scaffolding, welding, or valve replacement. Equipment manufacturers and suppliers can be held responsible if a defective part fails. In some situations, multiple companies share responsibility for different aspects of what went wrong.

Safety standards are a critical part of these cases. Refineries and plants are generally subject to regulations and inspections, including oversight from agencies such as OSHA when an incident occurs. Company procedures, lockout and tagout rules, hot work permits, confined space protocols, and other safety systems are often central to understanding how an accident happened. When we evaluate a case, we work to look at the full picture of these systems and how they were followed or ignored.

Sorting through all of this can be difficult for someone who is trying to heal or support an injured family member. That's where a knowledgeable Houma refinery accident lawyer comes in. When you contact Waitz & Downer, our attorneys can review what happened, discuss the roles of different companies, and help you understand what types of claims may be available. Our goal is to take on the legal burden so you can focus on your health and your family.

Common Injuries & Long-Term Impacts From Industrial Accidents

The injuries that result from plant and refinery accidents are often severe. Industrial facilities involve high temperatures, pressure, chemicals, heavy machinery, and confined spaces. When something goes wrong, the damage can extend far beyond routine sprains or bruises.

Common injuries include: 

• Burns from fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces or chemicals
• Inhalation injuries from smoke, toxic gases, or chemical releases
• Crush injuries, amputations, and orthopedic trauma 
• Head, back, and neck injuries 
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries, leading to partial or total paralysis 
• Fall-related injuries, such as blunt force trauma 
• Chronic illness from harmful exposure to dangerous materials or substances 
• Hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises 

The impact of these injuries often reaches every part of a person’s life. Medical bills can accumulate quickly, especially if intensive care or long-term rehabilitation is required. Many workers are unable to return to the same job—or any job—for a significant period. Families may face reduced income at the same time that expenses increase. We look at the full picture of what the injury has done to our clients' health, work, and family, so we can work to pursue compensation that reflects both the immediate costs and long-term needs.

Our Experience With Plant & Refinery Accidents

At Waitz & Downer, we have spent decades helping workers and families in Houma, Louisiana, and along the Gulf Coast who were hurt in oilfield operations, maritime work, offshore incidents, and industrial disasters. This background gives us insight into how large facilities are run, where safety systems can fail, and how companies and insurers typically respond after a serious incident.

Since 1971, our firm has guided clients through some of the region’s most difficult periods, including major storms and industrial disasters. We have seen how hurricanes, infrastructure failures, and high production demands can place additional stress on plants and refineries that serve communities in this state and the neighboring areas. Our attorneys draw on this experience when we investigate an incident, review company procedures, and evaluate how an accident could have been prevented.

Our legal team brings together more than 100 years of combined experience. Over the years, we have obtained meaningful settlements and verdicts for people whose lives were turned upside down by serious injuries and wrongful deaths. While every case is different and outcomes depend on many factors, this history reflects our dedication to doing the hard work that complex industrial cases often require.

Just as important as our knowledge of the law and industry is how we treat the people who come to us. We provide personalized attention, not a one-size-fits-all approach. That means we take time to understand how an accident has affected your life and your family. We keep you informed about important developments, explain options in clear language, and answer your questions along the way. Our goal is to help you move forward with strength and clarity, knowing you have a team in your corner.

How We Can Help You Move Forward After a Plant or Refinery Injury

Reaching out to a law firm after a serious accident can feel like a big step. Many people worry about cost, time, or being pushed into decisions before they are ready. We structure our process to make it as simple and supportive as possible for injured workers and families.

What To Expect When You Call

We begin with a free, confidential consultation. During this conversation, we listen to your story, ask necessary but noninvasive questions to understand what happened, and review any information you already have, such as medical records, incident reports, or photographs. If you do not have documents yet, that's okay. Our attorneys can still help you understand your rights based on what you know so far.

After we learn more about your situation, we explain the types of claims that may be available and discuss the next steps if you choose to work with us. We talk through how responsibility is evaluated in plant and refinery accidents, what evidence often matters, and what you can expect in terms of communication from our team. We want you to walk away from that first conversation with a clearer sense of your options, whether or not you decide to move forward.

Our Commitment to You

If we accept your case, there are no upfront costs for our legal services. Because we offer contingency fees and front legal costs associated with pursuing your case, you never pay anything out of pocket. Our attorneys only collect fees if they recover a settlement or verdict for you.

Throughout the process, we provide regular updates, answer your questions promptly, and help you avoid surprises. We see our role as helping you rebuild, not just closing a file. That means we pay attention to what recovery really looks like for you and your family.