Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor is home to some of the most hazardous industrial facilities in the country. Fires, explosions, chemical releases, equipment failures, and falls at refineries and chemical plants cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities every year. These facilities are governed by extensive OSHA and EPA regulations — and violations of those standards can establish liability for the facility owner, the operator, and any contractors on site. Our attorneys pursue full compensation from every responsible party.

Industrial explosions and fires are among the most devastating events a worker can experience. They frequently result from uncontrolled chemical releases, equipment failures, inadequate pressure relief systems, and failure to follow established safety protocols. The injuries — severe burns, blast injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and lung damage — can require years of treatment and care. Our attorneys work with explosion engineering experts and burn specialists to build comprehensive cases and pursue maximum compensation on behalf of victims and their families.

Industrial workers across Louisiana are routinely exposed to benzene, asbestos, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, chlorine, and other hazardous substances. Both acute and long-term exposure can cause serious illnesses — including cancer, mesothelioma, respiratory disease, and neurological damage. When exposure results from an employer’s or contractor’s failure to provide adequate protective equipment, proper ventilation, or adequate hazard warnings, our attorneys pursue claims against all responsible parties.

Industrial facilities rely on heavy, high-powered machinery — compressors, turbines, conveyors, hydraulic presses, and cranes — that can cause catastrophic injuries when they malfunction, are improperly maintained, or lack adequate guarding. Liability in machinery accident cases may extend to the equipment manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, or the facility operator. Our attorneys work with mechanical engineering experts to identify every source of liability and pursue full compensation.

High-voltage electrical systems in industrial settings create serious risks of electrocution, arc flash burns, and blast injuries. These accidents frequently result from inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, unguarded electrical panels, and failure to provide appropriate arc flash protective equipment. Injuries from industrial electrical accidents are often severe and permanently disabling. Our attorneys pursue full compensation from employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers responsible for these dangerous conditions.

Falls from elevated platforms, walkways, tanks, and scaffolding are a leading cause of serious injuries at industrial facilities. OSHA standards require facilities to provide adequate guardrails, fall arrest systems, and safe access to elevated work areas — and violations of these standards can establish liability for the facility owner and any contractors responsible for site safety. Our attorneys investigate every aspect of industrial fall cases and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Failures of pressure vessels, boilers, and pressurized piping systems at industrial facilities can cause catastrophic explosions that injure workers across a wide area. These accidents may result from manufacturing defects, inadequate maintenance, improper operation, or failure to conduct required inspections. Liability may extend to the vessel manufacturer, the maintenance contractor, and the facility owner. Our attorneys work with pressure systems experts to establish the cause and pursue all available claims.

Conveyor systems and other material handling equipment without adequate guarding can catch workers’ hands, arms, and clothing, causing devastating crush injuries and amputations in an instant. Inadequate machine guarding is one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations at industrial facilities, and one of the most preventable causes of serious worker injury. Our attorneys pursue claims against the facility operator, equipment manufacturer, and any contractors responsible for maintaining safe equipment guarding.

Forklifts, cranes, aerial lifts, and other heavy equipment are involved in a significant share of industrial fatalities and serious injuries in Louisiana. These accidents frequently result from operator error, inadequate training, poor site layout, and equipment maintenance failures. Liability may extend to the equipment operator’s employer, the facility owner, or the equipment manufacturer. Our attorneys pursue full compensation from every responsible party.

When an industrial worker is killed on the job, surviving family members may have the right to pursue both workers’ compensation death benefits and a wrongful death claim against third parties responsible for the fatal accident. These cases require comprehensive investigation, expert testimony, and the tenacious advocacy that grieving families deserve. Our attorneys handle fatal industrial accident cases with care and fight to hold every responsible party fully accountable.

Yes — and this is one of the most important questions in any industrial accident case. Louisiana workers’ compensation generally prevents you from suing your direct employer, but it does not bar claims against third parties — including the facility owner, a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a defective equipment manufacturer. These third-party claims can recover pain and suffering and other damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. Our attorneys identify every available third-party claim and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

For third-party personal injury claims, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Louisiana. Workers’ compensation claims have separate and shorter reporting deadlines. Because critical evidence at industrial facilities — including maintenance records, safety logs, and surveillance footage — can be quickly altered or destroyed, contact an attorney immediately after your accident.

An OSHA citation is powerful evidence that safety standards were violated and that the employer or contractor was aware of dangerous conditions. Learn more about how fault is determined in Louisiana. Our attorneys obtain OSHA investigation records, inspection reports, and citation histories to build the strongest possible case for your claim.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault for third-party negligence claims. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation — your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies and facility operators routinely try to exaggerate a worker’s share of blame to limit their liability. Our attorneys push back hard against these tactics.

Nothing upfront. Our industrial accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

Industrial accident cases involving multiple defendants, catastrophic injuries, or complex regulatory issues often take longer to resolve than standard personal injury claims. Learn more about the timeline of a personal injury case. We keep you informed at every step and never pressure you to accept a settlement before you are ready.

Yes — through both workers’ compensation and any available third-party claims. Workers’ compensation pays a portion of your wages; a third-party negligence claim can recover the full value of your lost income and future earning capacity. Learn more about how lost wages are calculated in Louisiana. Our attorneys maximize your recovery from every available source.

Report the accident to your supervisor immediately. Seek medical attention right away — even if you feel okay, some serious injuries from industrial accidents are not immediately apparent. Document the scene with photos if possible and get the names of any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact Mansfield Melancon as soon as possible so we can begin preserving site records, OSHA filings, equipment maintenance logs, and other time-sensitive evidence before it is altered or destroyed.