PASCAGOULA, MS. — A group of five workers has filed a lawsuit against Chevron Corporation and its subsidiary, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., alleging that negligence by the oil company caused a catastrophic explosion at the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery on July 14.
The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court in Texas, was announced by the national trial firm Arnold & Itkin LLP. According to the complaint, Chevron authorized hot work in an area where flammable gases were present, resulting in what the plaintiffs describe as a devastating fire and explosion that left them with life-altering injuries.
Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, who represent the workers, say their clients suffered severe burns, permanent physical and psychological injuries, and impairments that have kept them from returning to work. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma, as well as exemplary damages based on what the plaintiffs allege was Chevron’s conscious disregard for safety.
The complaint outlines several alleged safety failures, including inadequate gas monitoring, failure to purge hazardous materials from the work area, insufficient training, and a lack of warning to workers about the risks. The plaintiffs argue that Chevron had actual knowledge of the dangers but moved forward with the work anyway.
“This incident should never have happened,” Arnold & Itkin said in a press release. “Our clients were placed directly in harm’s way because Chevron ignored clear risks.”
Chevron has not issued a public response regarding the lawsuit. GC Wire has reached out to the company for comment.
The Pascagoula Refinery is one of the largest in the country, processing more than 330,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The facility has previously drawn scrutiny over safety and operational concerns.
According to a 2018 report, Chevron agreed to spend $150 million to upgrade corroded piping and enhance inspection protocols at its refineries as part of a national Clean Air Act settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The settlement followed a federal investigation prompted by a 2012 fire at Chevron’s Richmond, California refinery, where high-temperature hydrocarbons were released from the Crude Unit. According to the EPA, the incident endangered 19 employees, led to a shelter-in-place order by local officials, and caused approximately 15,000 nearby residents to seek medical treatment for exposure to hydrogen sulfide.
Arnold & Itkin, which is based in Houston, is known for handling major industrial accident cases nationwide. The firm reports over $20 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, including a $357.7 million settlement that it says stands as the largest workplace accident resolution in Texas history.
A jury trial has been requested. As of publication, no trial date has been set.
Has OSHA gotten involved in this?