Undefeated Chemical Plant Injury Lawyers
A deadly hydrogen sulfide gas release tragically claimed two lives and injured at least 35 more on Thursday evening, October 10, at a Deer Park, TX refinery and petrochemical complex co-operated by Pemex and Shell.
At Zehl & Associates, our Undefeated Chemical Plant Accident Lawyers are actively monitoring this situation and remain committed to securing justice for those affected by this preventable tragedy.
If you or a loved one were injured, contact us at 1-888-603-3636. We’ll answer your questions, explain your options, and make sure you have the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
2 Tragically Killed, At Least 35 More Injured in Hydrogen Sulfide Chemical Leak
The Deer Park Police Department received reports of a hydrogen sulfide leak at approximately 5:23 p.m. on October 10, prompting a swift emergency response from local fire departments, medical teams, and law enforcement. The leak occurred at the Pemex oil refinery located at 5900 Highway 225 in Deer Park, Texas.
As of 9:30 p.m., officials confirmed the deaths of two workers and reported that at least 35 others had been injured. Victims were triaged on-site or transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Life Flight helicopters and ambulances were called to the scene to assist with the emergency response.
Possible Equipment Failure Involved in Fatal Gas Leak
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez indicated that the leak likely occurred while workers were repairing a flange at the facility. Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely flammable and highly toxic gas that can cause serious health complications, including respiratory failure, eye and skin irritation, unconsciousness, and death, even at low concentrations.
Authorities from multiple agencies are currently investigating the cause of this tragic incident.
In our experience, deadly chemical accidents are often the result of inadequate safety protocols, poor maintenance, or lack of employee training. Other factors that are often preventable with proper oversight and compliance include:
Deer Park Shelter-in-Place Order Lifted at 9:30 P.M.
In response to the hydrogen sulfide leak, local authorities issued an immediate shelter-in-place order for the surrounding community. Traffic on Texas 225 was shut down in both directions near Beltway 8, causing significant disruptions, according to TxDOT.
By 9:30 p.m., Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. announced that no chemicals had been detected in the community, although residents might still notice the gas’s lingering odor. Hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, can remain detectable even after air quality levels return to safe limits.
Flaring operations were visible throughout the evening as Pemex worked to burn off the excess gas safely. Officials from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and Harris County Pollution Control Services remained on-site to continuously monitor air quality and ensure community safety.
Fatal Pemex Leak: Latest in a String of Deadly Deer Park Refinery Accidents
Texas is home to over 1,500 facilities that handle dangerous chemicals every day, with many of these high-risk sites clustered in Deer Park, TX. Pemex, co-operating with Shell, is one of several refineries in the area that processes crude oils from various countries and produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petrochemical products.
These facilities rely on highly volatile and hazardous chemicals, which pose a significant risk to both workers and nearby residents. Exposure to toxic substances like hydrogen sulfide has been linked to serious health conditions, including respiratory issues, blood disorders, and even cancer.
Sadly, the tragic Pemex chemical leak is just the latest in a series of deadly incidents in Deer Park, including the massive Energy Transfer pipeline fire just last month.
Despite strict federal and state safety regulations, many companies continue to cut corners on safety measures, prioritizing profit over worker and community safety. These violations often lead to catastrophic accidents, putting everyone in and around these industrial plants at risk
How Zehl & Associates Can Help if You or a Loved One Were Injured at the Shell Pemex Chemical Plant
There are few things more tragic or overwhelming than a catastrophic refinery accident. And though an employer may promise to “make things right,” workers and their families are often left to deal with the aftermath on their own.
With Billions recovered for industrial workers injured in plant and refinery accidents, we have the resources, experience, and skills to take on the largest petrochemical companies in the world and not only win, but set records.
Our recent record-setting victories for injured plant and refinery workers include:
- $100 Million settlement on behalf of a group of workers injured in a refinery explosion after overcoming the plant owner’s attempts to limit our clients to less than $50,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.
- $75 Million Settlement for workers injured in refinery explosion
- $85 Million Settlement for injured refinery contractors
From getting you to the best doctors in the country to ensuring you and your family recover the maximum compensation possible, there is nothing we won’t do to go above and beyond for your family, win your case, and stand by you every step of the way.
Undefeated Plant Injury Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Undefeated Chemical Plant Injury Lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for victims of industrial accidents, providing us with the expertise, resources, and commitment to take on any company, no matter how large, and ensure that you and your family get the justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one was injured in the recent Deer Park chemical plant release, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email via our Contact Us page.
We’ll answer all of your questions, explain your legal rights, and ensure you have the information you need to make the right decision for your family.
The consultation is free, and because we only work for a contingency fee, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.