Pasadena Explosion Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in an industrial explosion in Pasadena, you’re dealing with burns, hearing loss, surgeries you didn’t plan for, and medical bills that won’t stop growing. On top of that, the employer or insurance carrier involved is already working to protect itself, not you.
Pasadena sits at the center of one of the largest petrochemical corridors in the country. The refineries, chemical plants, and industrial facilities lining the Houston Ship Channel create jobs, but they also create serious risk. As your Pasadena, TX explosion accident lawyer, Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents workers and families who have been devastated by these incidents. We handle explosion injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we recover money for you. If you or someone you love was injured in a blast, contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers for Explosion Accidents in Pasadena, TX?
Trial Lawyers Who Know Industrial Cases
Founding attorney Matt Greenberg is a Texas trial lawyer with 12 years of experience litigating high-stakes personal injury claims. He earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School and has handled cases involving oilfield explosions, plant and refinery accidents, and chemical releases. He has served as lead trial counsel in record-setting verdicts and settlements across Texas, including the largest recorded personal injury settlement in Tarrant County and the largest recorded personal injury verdict in Montgomery County. Matt is licensed in Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the National Trial Lawyers.
Partner Mike Streich brings 13 years of legal experience and a background that few plaintiff’s attorneys can match. Before joining the firm, Mike spent nearly a decade on the defense side, representing corporations and major insurance syndicates, including Lloyd’s of London, in catastrophic injury and death claims tied to oilfield, pipeline, refinery, and commercial vehicle incidents. He knows how defendants investigate claims, evaluate risk, and attempt to reduce their exposure. Mike graduated cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center and has been named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers in multiple years, including 2023 through 2025. He is a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered
Our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across Texas, including a $20,030,000 settlement for a burned oilfield worker, a $7,373,750 recovery in a plant and refinery accident, and a $37,500,000 verdict for a family in a wrongful death case. Our willingness to prepare for trial and take cases to verdict is what drives results like these.
A Client-First Approach
Working with us means direct access to your attorneys. Not a case manager. Not an intake specialist. You talk to Matt or Mike. We keep our caseload manageable because Pasadena explosion accident cases demand intensive investigation, and our firm does not cut corners on that work.
Explosion cases fall under the broader category of personal injury law in Texas, and our personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX handles consultations at no charge.
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“Mike Streich is an outstanding injury attorney, and I am deeply grateful for everything he has done for my family. He represented us in a wrongful death case after my children’s father was tragically killed due to a company’s negligence. It was the most painful and overwhelming time of our lives, and Mike handled our case with compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication.” – Regina Brown
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Explosion Accident Cases We Handle in Pasadena
Explosion injuries in Pasadena, TX stem from a wide range of industrial operations. The type of facility, the chemicals involved, and the specific failure that triggered the blast all affect how a legal claim is built. We handle the following types of explosion cases in the Pasadena area:
- Refinery accidents. Refineries process crude oil under extreme heat and pressure. Equipment failures, valve malfunctions, and inadequate maintenance cause vapor releases that ignite without warning. We investigate the mechanical and procedural breakdowns behind these events.
- Oilfield explosions. Blowouts, well control failures, and surface equipment malfunctions in oilfield operations can produce violent explosions. Workers on drilling rigs and production sites are especially vulnerable to blast injuries and severe burns.
- Chemical plant blasts. Pasadena’s chemical manufacturing facilities handle volatile substances daily. When process safety systems fail, the results include toxic chemical fires and detonations that injure workers and nearby residents.
- Construction accidents. Gas line strikes, welding near flammable materials, and improper use of compressed gases cause explosions on active construction projects. These cases often involve multiple contractors and complex liability questions.
- Pipeline explosions. Aging infrastructure, corrosion, and third-party excavation damage can cause natural gas and liquid pipelines to rupture. The resulting fireball can extend hundreds of feet and cause devastating burn injuries.
- Storage tank and vessel failures. Overpressurization, corrosion, and mechanical defects in storage tanks and pressure vessels lead to catastrophic ruptures. Workers in the immediate area often sustain brain injuries and other life-altering harm from the concussive force alone.
Texas Legal Requirements for Explosion Accident Cases
Several Texas laws directly affect how explosion injury claims are filed and resolved in Pasadena.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Texas is two years from the date of the injury. This deadline is set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. If you do not file a lawsuit within that window, you permanently lose the right to seek compensation. In wrongful death claims, the two-year clock starts on the date of death, not the date of the explosion. There is no grace period, and courts enforce these deadlines strictly.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system under Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. In plain terms, if a jury finds you more than 50% responsible for the accident, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. In explosion cases, defendants routinely try to shift blame onto the injured worker. Having attorneys who understand this tactic, and who previously used it on behalf of defendants, is a meaningful advantage. Texas tort law has also been reshaped by recent legislative changes to damage caps and liability rules that directly affect explosion injury recoveries.
Claims against government entities follow the Texas Tort Claims Act and require a notice of claim within 180 days of the incident. This is a much shorter deadline than the standard two-year period.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Pasadena Explosion Accidents?
Texas law allows injured plaintiffs to pursue several categories of damages after an explosion.
Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses from the explosion. These include past and future medical expenses, such as emergency treatment, surgeries, skin grafts for burn victims, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and ongoing therapy. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity also fall into this category. When an explosion leaves a worker unable to return to their previous occupation, the future income loss alone can be substantial. We work with economists and medical professionals to calculate these figures accurately.
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don’t come with a receipt. Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life are all recoverable under Texas law. Explosion survivors frequently deal with PTSD, chronic pain, permanent scarring, and depression that fundamentally changes their daily existence. In catastrophic injury cases, these non-economic damages often exceed the economic ones.
Punitive damages, known in Texas as exemplary damages, are available when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or involved fraud, malice, or willful disregard for safety. Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code governs the cap on these damages. Industrial explosion cases qualify for punitive damages when evidence shows the facility operator knew about safety violations and failed to act.
If the explosion resulted in a death, surviving family members can recover damages through a wrongful death or survival action, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the deceased’s pre-death pain and suffering. We have secured significant recoveries for families throughout Texas.
What Steps Should I Take After an Explosion Accident?
The actions you take immediately after an industrial explosion in Pasadena directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here are ten steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Get to safety and call 911. Your physical safety comes first. Move away from the blast zone if you can do so.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, internal injuries, hearing damage, and blast lung can take hours or days to show symptoms. A medical record from the day of the explosion is critical evidence.
- Report the incident to your employer. Make sure the explosion and your injuries are formally documented. Request a copy of any written incident report.
- Do not give recorded statements. Insurance adjusters and company representatives will ask you to describe what happened on the record. Politely decline until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Preserve physical evidence. If safe, take photos or video of the scene, your injuries, and any equipment or conditions connected to the blast.
- Identify witnesses. Write down the names and contact information of coworkers, supervisors, and anyone else who saw the explosion or was present at the scene.
- Keep all medical records and receipts. Document every medical visit, prescription, therapy session, and expense related to your injuries.
- Save work records. Pay stubs, timesheets, and employment contracts will help establish your lost wages and earning capacity.
- Do not sign anything from the employer or insurer. Settlement releases and liability waivers presented early in the process almost always undervalue your claim. Signing one could forfeit your rights.
- Contact an explosion accident attorney. An attorney experienced in industrial accidents can begin preserving evidence, identifying responsible parties, and protecting you from the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts.
Explosion Accident Statistics in Pasadena
Pasadena, TX has been the site of some of the most devastating industrial explosions in American history.
On October 23, 1989, a series of explosions ripped through the Phillips Petroleum Company’s Houston Chemical Complex on Jefferson Road in Pasadena. The disaster killed 23 workers and injured over 300. The initial blast had the force equivalent to 2.4 tons of TNT and registered 3.5 on the Richter scale. Property damage exceeded $715 million. OSHA’s investigation found that Phillips had inadequate safety procedures and that the maintenance contractor had improperly reversed air connections on a critical valve. OSHA fined Phillips $5.7 million, one of the largest penalties imposed at that time. In 2000, the same facility experienced another explosion that killed one worker and injured 71.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has investigated multiple incidents in the greater Pasadena and Houston Ship Channel area. The CSB’s investigation of the 2005 BP Texas City refinery explosion, which killed 15 and injured 180, found organizational and safety failures at every level of the corporation. The CSB issued 26 safety recommendations as a result.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,283 fatal workplace injuries in 2023. OSHA data shows that worker deaths averaged approximately 15 per day that year. The Houston Chronicle has reported that, on average, there is a chemical plant explosion every six weeks in the greater Houston region. Texas accounts for a disproportionate share of these incidents due to the concentration of petrochemical infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. Harris County, where Pasadena is located, has one of the highest densities of chemical processing facilities in the nation.
Federal regulations, including OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard (29 CFR 1910.119) and the EPA’s Risk Management Program under 40 CFR Part 68, were created specifically to prevent these catastrophes. Violations of these standards form the basis of many explosion injury claims in the Pasadena area.
Pasadena Explosion Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a Pasadena explosion accident attorney?
There is no upfront cost to hire us. We handle explosion cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free.
How long do I have to file an explosion injury lawsuit in Texas?
Two years from the date of the injury, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Wrongful death claims run two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline permanently bars your case.
Can I sue my employer for an explosion injury in Pasadena?
Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can file a personal injury lawsuit directly. Even for subscribers, third-party claims against equipment manufacturers, contractors, or facility owners remain available as a separate legal avenue.
What if multiple companies are responsible for the explosion?
Industrial sites in Pasadena often involve general contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and facility owners working side by side. We investigate every potentially liable party and pursue claims against each one. Texas law allows you to recover from multiple defendants based on their proportionate responsibility.
What types of injuries are common in explosion accidents?
Severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, spinal cord damage, amputations, internal organ damage from blast pressure, and respiratory injuries from inhaling toxic fumes. Many explosion survivors require years of reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation.
How much is my explosion injury case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost income, and the degree of the defendant’s negligence. Our firm has recovered tens of millions in individual explosion and industrial accident cases. We evaluate each claim individually during the free consultation.
What evidence is important in an explosion accident case?
OSHA inspection reports, CSB investigation findings, equipment maintenance logs, employee training records, chemical inventories, surveillance footage, witness statements, and medical records are all critical. Time-sensitive evidence can be lost or destroyed if not preserved quickly.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to verdict. Our willingness to try cases is what pushes defendants and insurers to offer fair settlements. Matt Greenberg has tried cases in county, state, and federal courts throughout Texas.
What if I was partly at fault for the explosion?
Under Texas law, you can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Defendants in explosion cases regularly attempt to blame the injured worker, and we push back aggressively against that strategy.
How long does an explosion accident case take?
It depends on the complexity. Some cases resolve in months. Others, especially those involving multiple defendants, extensive injuries, or disputed liability, take one to two years or more. We keep clients informed throughout the process and do not rush to settle for less than a case is worth.
Can family members file a claim if someone died in an explosion?
Family members do have the right to file a claim. Texas wrongful death law allows spouses, children, and parents to pursue compensation for their loss. Survival actions allow recovery for the deceased’s pre-death suffering. These claims carry the same two-year deadline.
What is OSHA’s role after an explosion?
OSHA investigates workplace fatalities and catastrophes. Their findings can support a civil injury claim by identifying safety violations and regulatory failures. We obtain and use OSHA records in our case preparation.
Do I need a lawyer for an explosion accident claim?
You are not required to hire one, but explosion cases involve complex liability questions, multiple defendants, and aggressive defense tactics. Industrial companies have dedicated lawyers and investigators working immediately after an incident.
What is the difference between workers’ comp and a personal injury lawsuit?
Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits regardless of fault but restricts your right to sue your employer. A personal injury lawsuit can recover full damages, including pain and suffering, but requires proof of negligence. In Texas, the distinction depends on whether your employer is a workers’ comp subscriber.
Can I still file a claim if OSHA did not cite the company?
A civil lawsuit does not depend on an OSHA citation. OSHA citations and civil liability are separate. A company can be found negligent in a lawsuit even if OSHA did not issue fines. The legal standards are different, and we build cases using evidence beyond what OSHA examines.
Most Dangerous Locations for Explosion Accidents in Pasadena
Pasadena’s industrial geography concentrates explosion risk along specific corridors. The Houston Ship Channel industrial zone is the primary area, stretching along the south and east sides of the city. Jefferson Road, where the Phillips 66 complex was located, has been the site of multiple major incidents over the past three decades.
The stretch of SH-225 (La Porte Freeway) running through Pasadena passes directly through heavy industrial territory, with chemical plants, refineries, and storage facilities on both sides of the highway. The area near the intersection of Red Bluff Road and SH-225 is particularly dense with petrochemical operations. Workers commuting along this route are regularly within the blast radius of active chemical processing.
Facilities along Burke Road, Center Street, and the areas surrounding the Washburn Tunnel handle volatile chemicals and flammable materials daily. The Pasadena Refining System (formerly Crown Central Petroleum) and other active operations remain in the area. The neighborhoods of South Houston and Galena Park, which border Pasadena’s industrial zones, have also been affected by explosions originating within Pasadena-area facilities. Workers and residents near these corridors face elevated exposure to offshore and industrial hazards.
What Are Important Local Resources for Pasadena Explosion Accidents?
The following organizations and facilities serve Pasadena residents affected by industrial explosions. These are provided for informational purposes only, and inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers.
- Pasadena Fire Department – (713) 475-5554. The PFD responds to industrial incidents and is a member of the Channel Industries Mutual Aid (CIMA) organization. In the event of an explosion, they coordinate with industrial fire brigades along the Ship Channel.
- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast – (713) 359-2000. Located at 4000 Spencer Highway in Pasadena, this 350-bed facility is equipped with a Level III Trauma Center and serves as the primary hospital for emergency treatment after industrial accidents.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office – (713) 221-6000. HCSO responds to incidents outside Pasadena city limits and coordinates with local law enforcement following large-scale industrial emergencies.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – (512) 239-1000. The TCEQ monitors chemical releases and air quality following industrial explosions in the Pasadena area and can provide information about environmental exposure.
- OSHA Houston Area Office – (281) 286-0583. The local OSHA office investigates workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the greater Pasadena and Houston area.
Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
If you or a family member was injured in an explosion in Pasadena, TX, we want to hear from you. Our attorneys handle explosion injury and maritime claims throughout Harris County and across Texas. The initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. We respond to inquiries promptly and can begin working on your case immediately. Call or contact us today to get started.
