New Orleans Plant Explosion Injury Attorney

The Importance of Workplace Safety in New Orleans

Every day throughout New Orleans, hard-working men and women are gainfully employed in factories, chemical plants, refineries, and other industrial settings. These industries form the backbone of modern American life and produce most of the things we enjoy and even take for granted.

However, their safety and lives are all too often ignored by their employers and the owners of the plants where they work. They’re pushed to take unneeded risks and cut corners for their safety, all to save the company a few dollars. That is where an experienced explosion and fire lawyer can help!

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the long-term effects of pollution exposure from a chemical plant, an experienced New Orleans explosion lawyer at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys could help you get the compensation you deserve.

Seeking Compensation for Plant Explosions and Fires

When safety takes a back seat, accidents can happen—including deadly explosions and fire accidents. Over our decades of legal practice, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have helped dozens of victims of these tragedies fight for their just compensation. We’ve dedicated our practice to assisting those endangered and harmed by corporate greed and negligence.

If you’ve been injured in a plant explosion or fire, call the New Orleans explosion attorneys at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys for a free legal consultation about your rights. We’re committed to your health and helping you find the compensation you need to heal.

We can help you hold your employers or other liable parties accountable for their inaction, and we can help you file a workers’ compensation claim as well. We’ll also negotiate for you and even argue your case in court.

New Orleans Industrial Plants

As a manufacturing hub, New Orleans is home to dozens of industrial plants:

• General Electric
• Dow Chemical
• Sherwin-Williams
• Dixie Chemical Co, Inc.
• and more

These plants employ hundreds of people, generate billions in revenue, and serve as a major economic engine for the people of Louisiana. Even as much of America’s manufacturing is moving overseas, Louisiana’s bounty of natural resources has kept most of its industry local, such as the following:

• Oil and gas drilling, refining, and exploration
• Industrial manufacture
• Petrochemicals
• Agriculture
• Timber
• and others

Risks Faced by Industrial Workers in New Orleans

The risks faced by industrial workers in New Orleans are a matter of concern, as various factors contribute to their safety and well-being. One significant risk is the prioritization of profits over employee safety by management and ownership. Since these plants exist to generate profits for shareholders, the bottom line becomes the primary focus, often overshadowing the importance of ensuring employee safety. When companies face financial challenges, management may be tempted to cut corners in safety protocols to save money. Such actions can directly increase the likelihood of life-threatening industrial accidents, including plant explosions, fires, and more.

Additionally, the state of Louisiana, including New Orleans, has been identified as one of the most dangerous states for workers. According to a report by AdvisorSmith, Louisiana ranks 13th in terms of worker safety, with a fatality rate of 4.9 per 100,000 workers in 2018, compared to the national average of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. Industries in Louisiana that contribute to the state’s fatality rate include agriculture, petroleum, and natural gas.

To mitigate these risks and promote worker safety, it is crucial for companies to adhere to best safety practices, follow safety regulations, and prioritize employee well-being. It is important for workers to be aware of their rights and report any safety concerns to the appropriate authorities. Organizations like the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) offer resources and conferences to promote knowledge and best practices in occupational safety and health. By prioritizing worker safety and implementing effective safety measures, industrial companies in New Orleans can create a safer and healthier work environment for their employees.

New Orleans Plant Explosions

Industrial plants are dangerous places to work. In many of them, heavy equipment hangs over workers’ heads; dangerous machinery hums near their workstations; caustic chemicals splash, churn, and spill; proper PPE is missing or inadequate; workers are badly trained as to safety protocols. In rare instances, these conditions combine in an explosive tragedy that rocks the plant’s very foundations.

The New Orleans area has seen its share of plant explosions, including

• An explosion Sewerage & Water Board plant on Claiborne Avenue in 2019 thankfully injured no one, but knocked out turbines 4 and 5
• The Williams Olefins plant explosion in Geismar in 2013 killed 2 and injured 114
• The 1977 explosion of the Continental Grain Company plant in Westwego killed 36
• and others

Other Dangers of New Orleans Manufacturing Jobs

Explosions and fires aren’t the only dangers industrial workers are subjected to on a daily basis. Louisianans in general are much more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than other Americans, due to their proximity to chemical processing plants. The town of Reserve, located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is especially affected, with the cancer risk there being almost 50 times the national average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The area, known as “Cancer Alley,” has over 100 petrochemical plants and refineries emitting toxic air, contributing to the high cancer rates in the region. 

Joining Class Action Lawsuits for Pollution Exposure

Because pollution usually impacts entire communities, people injured from this pollution generally band together to sue jointly in a mass tort or class action lawsuit. In these suits, a smaller group of representatives take legal action on behalf of all plaintiffs to save on court costs and other related fees.

Experienced New Orleans Explosion Lawyers

If you’ve been injured due to the long-term effects of pollution exposure from a chemical plant, an experienced New Orleans explosion lawyer could help you add your claim to an ongoing class action suit.

With the ongoing concerns regarding pollution exposure and the health risks associated with chemical plants, it is crucial to seek legal representation from experienced lawyers who specialize in explosion cases. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys is a reputable law firm that has a team of skilled New Orleans explosion attorneys ready to assist you.

These lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding explosion cases and are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those affected by the long-term effects of pollution exposure. They have extensive experience in handling cases related to chemical plant explosions and can provide the necessary guidance and support throughout the legal process.

By working with an experienced New Orleans explosion lawyer from Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, you can ensure that your claim is properly evaluated and included in an ongoing class action suit if applicable. These lawyers will work diligently to gather evidence, assess liability, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

It’s important to act promptly if you believe you have been injured due to pollution exposure from a chemical plant. Contact Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options. Their dedicated team of lawyers is committed to seeking justice for those affected by these unfortunate circumstances.

Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys Offers Free Legal Consultation for New Orleans Explosion Cases

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Orleans plant explosion, you need an experienced New Orleans explosion lawyer to help you hold your bosses and the plant’s owners accountable. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has over 679+ years of combined legal experience helping New Orleanians recover compensation for the damages they’ve suffered from plant explosions, and we can help you too.

We can also help if your loved one suffered a wrongful death in the explosion. We can help you find closure, and we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable for your loved one’s death.

Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, and New Orleans explosion lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation. A dedicated attorney will listen to your side of the story and offer legal advice as to the next steps, and we’ll get started on your case right away. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a dime—guaranteed.