Lawsuit filed after the Shell chemical plant fire on Friday
According to the lawsuit, the employee “suffered serious injury as a result of the Defendants’ (Shell USA) negligence, gross negligence and liability of premises.”
DEER PARK, Texas — A contractor who says he was injured in the fire at the Shell chemical plant in Deer Park on Friday has filed a lawsuit against the company.
According to the lawsuit, the employee “suffered serious injury as a result of the Defendants’ (Shell USA) negligence, gross negligence and liability of premises.”
The injuries include burns, as well as injuries to the employee’s neck, back, spine and other body parts, the lawsuit read.
What happened?
Nine contractors were taken to hospital after being exposed to the product during the fire. They have since been released.
According to Shell, the fire broke out while routine maintenance was underway on the olefin unit. It took emergency crews several hours to contain and put out the fire.
The next day, the fire was rekindled and continued to burn into Sunday night.
LIGHT: Water contaminated by runoff from the Shell chemical fire no longer flows into the Houston Ship Channel
What’s next?
Remediation and the investigation of the cause and response are now the focus.
“These types of accidents are unfortunate. You know, we never want to see them and we take it very seriously and will investigate it,” TCEQ Deputy Director Kelly Cook said on Monday.
Harris County Fire Marshal Captain James Singleton said his office is also investigating the incident, but it could take some time to get answers.
“You’re looking at a large number of people who need to be interviewed,” Singleton said. “Everyone who was in the unit at the time of the fire, controllers, management, anyone who called 911.”
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