Industrial Accident Attorneys
Industrial accidents involve a wide range of industries and can involve all types of accidents. From a cave-in at a coal mine to a chemical spill in a factory, these types of accidents can have a profound effect on the lives of those involved in the accident and their families. Industrial accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries and fatalities.If you were injured in an industrial accident or if you lost a loved one, the personal injury attorneys at Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C., can help you. We have decades of experience representing and advocating for injured workers in West Virginia. Contact our industrial accident attorneys for answers to your questions about the legal process, your rights and your claim.
Types of Industrial Accidents
At our firm, we are committed to helping clients who have suffered serious injuries or significant loss after an industrial accident. This includes accidents involving:
- Explosions and fires
- Chemical spills and exposure
- Dangerous gas leaks
- Building collapses and mine cave-ins
- Defective and dangerous equipment
At the center of every industrial accident case is a careful investigation into the circumstances that led to the accident. At our firm, we work with industry experts in order to understand the cause of the accident. If you suffered an injury, we also work with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries and the impact the injuries will have on your future.
Through this careful review and preparation, we stand ready at every stage of the process to advocate for your interests. Whether in negotiations or at trial, we will provide you with the support, advice and representation you need.
We work on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid unless you do.
Over the past five decades, Bailey, Javins, and Carter has handled countless workplace injury and fatality cases in West Virginia. We have a successful track record with these types of cases, and we have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. If you or a loved one suffered injury in an industrial explosion, contact our office today to review your case and discuss your legal options.
Industrial Deaths and Injuries in West Virginia
Industrial occupations cover a wide range of industries, which include:
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Food Processing
- Pulp and Paper Manufacturing
- Coal Mining
- Gas and Oil Drilling/Fracking
- Refineries
- Power/Utility Plants
- Steel Production
- Automotive and Tire Manufacturing
- Construction Job Sites
- Road/Highway and Bridge Construction
- Transportation
Explosions in these industries can result in severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Serious Burn Injuries
- Fractures/Broken Bones
- Amputation/Loss of Limbs
- Spinal Cord Injuries/Paralysis
- Blindness or Hearing Loss
- Internal Injuries
- Exposure to Toxic Fumes
With fires and explosions, workers can be injured from the direct impact of the primary blast or from the impact of being thrown by the blast wind. They can also be struck by materials, objects, and debris that gets dispersed from the explosion, or being burned by the resulting fire and/or inhaling the smoke, dust, and toxic fumes.
The injuries suffered by workers can often be life-threatening, and victims should seek medical treatment immediately. In many cases, victims will be required to miss an extended amount of time from work, and if the accident results in a permanent disability, they may not be able to return to work at all.
Who is Responsible for An Industrial Explosion?
After an industrial explosion accident occurs, an extensive investigation is required to determine the cause of the incident. In the case of a chemical plant explosion like the one that happened recently in Belle, the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is one of the federal agencies that investigates the accident.
Common causes of industrial explosions could range from unsafe workplace safety practices to contractor negligence to product failures to a combination of these or other factors. In many cases, it comes down to a failure on the part of the employer to create a safe work environment, but there could be parties other than the employer who are responsible as well.
For example, the explosion could have been caused by loose or unsecure electrical wiring. In a case like this, the company may have brought in an electrician to perform wiring work in the building, and the electrician could be responsible for the accident. When this occurs, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party, allowing the worker to recover compensation for noneconomic losses (like pain and suffering) that are not available through workers’ comp.
Another common cause of an explosion is machinery or equipment failure. This might happen because of negligent maintenance (e.g., failure to properly service the equipment) or because of a product defect. In this case, it may be possible to bring a claim against the party responsible for maintaining the machinery or the product manufacturer or distributor.
Speak With a Workplace Injury Lawyer About Your Case
In a free initial consultation, we can answer your questions and evaluate your claim.
Contact our lawyers to discuss your case. We have offices in Charleston, Logan and Summersville. If you are unable to come to us, we can also visit you at home or in the hospital.
