How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help After a Refinery Accident?

 Posted on October 16, 2025 in Personal Injury

Refineries are among the most dangerous workplaces in Illinois. Fires, explosions, and chemical leaks can cause severe burns, breathing problems, and permanent disabilities. If you were hurt in a refinery accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses. Our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers have handled many accidents involving negligence and know how to protect injured workers and their families.

Common Causes of Refinery Accidents in Illinois

Refineries use heavy equipment and dangerous chemicals every day, so safety protocols are crucial. Federal law requires refineries to follow safety rules created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For example, the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals rule, under 29 CFR § 1910.119, helps prevent fires and explosions by requiring companies to plan how to handle chemicals safely.

Accidents happen when companies ignore safety rules. Even a single overlooked maintenance check or missed inspection can lead to a disaster. Machines that are not properly maintained can break down or explode. Chemical leaks can cause fires or expose workers to poisonous fumes. Some accidents happen because workers were not trained well enough or because safety checks were skipped.

Who Is Liable for a Refinery Injury?

After a refinery accident, more than one person or company may be liable for your injuries. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows injured employees to receive benefits for medical treatment and part of their lost wages. These benefits are available even if no one was directly at fault. However, workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering.

If a third party, like a contractor or equipment manufacturer, helped cause your injury, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit. This is called a third-party claim. For example, if a defective valve caused an explosion, the company that made it could be held responsible. Your lawyer can investigate maintenance records, inspection reports, and expert findings to determine who should pay for your losses.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help with Your Claim?

Hiring a personal injury attorney means you have someone you can trust to handle your case while you focus on recovering. Some ways your lawyer can help include:

• Investigating what caused the accident and collecting important evidence

• Identifying everyone who may share responsibility

• Calculating how much money you deserve for medical costs, lost income, and pain

• Negotiating with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement

• Representing you in court if the other side refuses to pay what is fair

• Communicating with doctors to understand your medical condition and long-term needs

• Consulting safety experts or engineers to explain how the accident happened

• Protecting your job and benefits while your case is in progress

There are also strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is usually two years from the date of your injury. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to compensation. As your legal representation, we will make sure your claim is filed on time and that your case stays on track.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Chicago, IL Personal Injury Attorney

Our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers have decades of experience helping people recover after serious accidents. We have the knowledge, resources, and determination to handle cases involving severe injuries and wrongful deaths. We have also won many multi-million-dollar settlements for clients and their families. We are ready to use that experience to help you. Contact Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC at 312-605-8800 today to schedule your free consultation. We offer contingency billing, which means no attorney fees unless we win your case.