Louisiana thrives on heavy industry, with oil, chemical processing, and offshore drilling as major parts of its economy. Heavy industry brings the risk of fires and explosions during and after construction, and workers face this danger on-site at plants or refineries in the region.
Workers involved in fires or explosions on Baton Rouge construction sites can suffer serious harm, including neck and back injuries, major burns, and other life-altering injuries. If you have sustained injuries in one of these construction site accidents, you should contact the attorneys at Tomeny | Best. Our experienced team could handle your legal claim while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Causes of Construction Site Fires and Explosions
Most construction sites are not oil platforms or chemical plants, but still carry a significant risk of fires and even explosions if there is a lack of care around flammable products or solvents. The common causes of Baton Rouge construction site fires and explosions include:
- Small, unnoticed fires caused by a violation of no-smoking restrictions
- Improperly labeled or stored chemicals, such as paints, solvents, or acids
- Broken or poorly maintained electrical equipment
- Improperly trained personnel
- Failure to call or contact outside agencies before drilling, dredging, or excavating
These situations may occur together. For instance, violating smoking regulations might not matter in an empty field, but it is dangerous near a chemical shed. A fire may worsen if the foreperson has not had the fire extinguishers checked in accordance with state fire laws.
Depending on the nature of the accident, more than one party may have contributed to the explosion. When a large accident has multiple causes, multiple insurance claims may be required.
Who Is Liable for Fires and Explosions at Job Sites?
Liability for a workplace injury depends on who is determined to be at fault in the accident. Louisiana requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. To file a workers’ compensation claim, an employee agrees to waive employer liability, and the insurance company pays for all medical costs and lost wages.
However, in the case of a large fire or explosion, other parties may be at fault. For instance, a company may have begun excavating and called the gas company to shut off the gas main before they started, to avoid the risk of an accident. If the gas company failed to do so, it could be held liable for any resulting explosion or fire at the Baton Rouge building site.
Proving this type of complex liability case may require the assistance of a skilled construction attorney from Tomeny | Best. Victims of such a catastrophic accident should contact us for legal assistance as soon as possible to pursue full compensation for their injuries.
Call a Baton Rouge Construction Attorney About Fire and Explosion Injuries
Fires and explosions can result in life-altering injuries. After such an injury, victims need medical care and legal assistance. The attorneys at Tomeny | Best have four decades of experience helping our clients recover compensation for serious construction-related accidents.
If you sustained injuries in fires or explosions on Baton Rouge construction sites, call our offices immediately for help with your insurance claim. We could review your case and provide you with the best legal advice on handling your situation. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
