El Segundo Oil Refinery Explosion Lawyer

Oil refinery explosions represent some of the most catastrophic industrial accidents that can occur in the workplace. These incidents often result in devastating injuries, fatalities, and long-term health consequences for workers and nearby residents. When such tragedies strike, victims and their families need knowledgeable oil rig injury lawyers to navigate the complex aftermath. At Bloom Injury Law, our oil refinery explosion lawyers understand the unique challenges that arise from refinery accidents and work diligently to help those affected secure the compensation they deserve.

Can I Sue If I was Injured From an El Segundo Oil Refinery Explosion or Fire?

Yes, you may be able to sue if you were injured in an El Segundo oil refinery explosion or fire, though your legal options depend on your relationship to the refinery and the circumstances of the incident. If you were working at the refinery as an employee, you're generally entitled to workers' compensation benefits that cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against third parties whose negligence contributed to the explosion, such as equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, engineering firms, or other non-employer entities. These third-party claims can provide additional compensation beyond what workers' compensation offers, including damages for pain and suffering.

If you were not an employee—such as a contractor, visitor, delivery driver, or nearby resident—you have broader options to pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the refinery operator and other responsible parties. These claims are typically based on negligence, meaning you must show that the defendant failed to maintain safe conditions or follow proper safety protocols, and that this failure caused your injuries. Given the complex nature of refinery explosion cases and the multiple parties that may be involved, consulting with an oil refinery explosion lawyer at Bloom Injury Law can help you understand your specific legal rights and the best path forward for recovering compensation.

The Dangers of Oil Refinery Explosions or Fires For Residents and Refinery Workers

Oil refinery explosions and fires pose severe threats to both workers inside these facilities and residents living in surrounding communities. At Bloom Injury Law, our oil refinery explosion lawyers understand the life-altering consequences these incidents create for victims and their families.

Hazards Facing Refinery Workers and Nearby Residents

• Severe Burn Injuries: Refinery explosions produce intense flames and extreme heat that can cause first, second, and third-degree burns covering large portions of the body, often requiring extensive skin grafts and long-term reconstructive surgery.
• Toxic Fume Exposure: Fires at oil refineries release dangerous chemicals and smoke containing benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other carcinogens that can cause immediate respiratory distress and long-term pulmonary disease in both workers and nearby residents.
• Blast Wave Trauma: The explosive force from refinery incidents generates powerful pressure waves that can rupture internal organs, cause traumatic brain injuries, and damage hearing, even at significant distances from the explosion site.
• Flying Debris Injuries: Exploding equipment sends metal fragments, pipes, and other materials through the air at high velocities, causing penetrating wounds, fractures, and fatal trauma to anyone in the vicinity.
• Chemical Burns: Contact with corrosive materials like sulfuric acid, caustic soda, or other refinery chemicals can cause severe chemical burns that destroy skin and underlying tissue, requiring specialized medical treatment.
• Crush Injuries: Structural collapses following explosions can trap workers under heavy equipment or building materials, resulting in crush syndrome, amputations, or fatal injuries that require immediate emergency response.
• Long-Term Cancer Risk: Repeated exposure to refinery emissions and carcinogenic compounds increases the risk of developing various cancers, including leukemia, lung cancer, and bladder cancer among workers and residents near these facilities.
• Psychological Trauma: Survivors of oil refinery explosions often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that affect their quality of life and ability to work.
• Respiratory Complications: Inhaling superheated air or toxic gases can cause permanent lung damage, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and reduced lung capacity that requires ongoing medical care and limits physical activity.
• Environmental Contamination: Refinery fires can contaminate soil, groundwater, and air in surrounding neighborhoods, creating health hazards for residents and diminishing property values in affected areas.

Protecting Your Rights After a Refinery Incident

If you or a loved one has been injured in an oil refinery explosion or fire, an oil refinery explosion lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our oil rig injury lawyers represent both refinery workers and community members affected by these preventable industrial disasters. Contact our oil refinery explosion lawyer team for a consultation to discuss your legal options and hold negligent parties accountable.

Financial Compensation You Can Pursue in an Oil Refinery Explosion Case

Victims of oil refinery explosions may be entitled to substantial financial compensation for the devastating physical, emotional, and economic harm they've suffered. Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team works to secure maximum compensation for injured workers and affected residents.

Types of Damages Available in Refinery Explosion Claims

• Medical Expenses: Compensation covers all past and future healthcare costs related to your injuries, including emergency treatment, hospitalizations, surgeries, burn care, physical therapy, medications, and ongoing medical monitoring for long-term complications.
• Lost Wages: You can recover income lost due to time away from work during your recovery, including wages, bonuses, overtime pay, and other employment benefits you would have earned if the explosion had not occurred.
• Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your ability to earn income in the future, you may receive compensation for the difference between what you could have earned and what you can now earn.
• Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates for the physical pain, discomfort, and suffering you've endured and will continue to experience as a result of your refinery explosion injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation is available for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions that developed after witnessing or experiencing the explosion.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Severe burns and other injuries from refinery explosions often leave permanent scars and disfigurement, for which victims can receive compensation for the lasting impact on their appearance and self-esteem.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When injuries prevent you from participating in activities, hobbies, and daily experiences you previously enjoyed, you may recover damages for this diminished quality of life.
• Disability Compensation: Permanent disabilities resulting from refinery explosions entitle victims to compensation for the lifelong limitations and challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Long-term rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy, vocational retraining, and adaptive equipment, are recoverable expenses when injuries require lifestyle adjustments and skill development.
• Home Modification Expenses: If your injuries necessitate wheelchair ramps, bathroom modifications, stairlifts, or other home adaptations to accommodate disabilities, these costs can be included in your compensation claim.
• Loss of Consortium: Spouses of injured refinery workers may pursue damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and marital relations resulting from their partner's serious injuries.
• Wrongful Death Damages: When refinery explosions result in fatalities, surviving family members can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the deceased's pain and suffering before death.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or willful disregard for safety, courts may award punitive damages to punish the responsible parties and deter future misconduct at oil refineries.

Securing the Compensation You Deserve

An experienced oil refinery explosion lawyer at Bloom Injury Law will thoroughly evaluate all damages in your case to ensure you pursue the full compensation available under the law. Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team handles refinery explosion claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless our oil refinery explosion lawyers successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Contact our plant explosion lawyers today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you obtain the financial recovery you need to rebuild your life.

How an Oil Refinery Explosion Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation

Navigating the complex legal and financial aftermath of a refinery explosion requires skilled legal representation to protect your rights and secure full compensation. An oil refinery explosion lawyer at Bloom Injury Law employs proven strategies to maximize the recovery you receive for your injuries.

Ways Legal Representation Increases Your Compensation

• Thorough Case Investigation: An oil refinery explosion lawyer conducts comprehensive investigations, gathering critical evidence such as maintenance records, safety reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage that establish liability and strengthen your claim.
• Identifying All Liable Parties: Beyond the refinery operator, your oil refinery explosion lawyers identify equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, engineering firms, and other third parties whose negligence contributed to the explosion, expanding potential sources of compensation.
• Accurate Damage Calculation: Our oil refinery explosion lawyers work with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to calculate the true value of your damages, including future medical needs and long-term economic losses that insurance companies often undervalue.
• Expert Witness Collaboration: An oil refinery explosion lawyer retains engineers, safety consultants, medical professionals, and industry specialists who provide testimony explaining complex technical issues and validating your claims to maximize credibility.
• Regulatory Violation Documentation: Your oil refinery explosion attorney obtains OSHA citations, Cal/OSHA violations, EPA enforcement actions, and prior incident reports that demonstrate patterns of negligence and safety failures at the refinery.
• Preventing Early Settlement Mistakes: Insurance adjusters often pressure victims to accept quick settlements before the full extent of injuries is known, but legal representation ensures you don't settle for less than your case is worth.
• Navigating Workers' Compensation Liens: When pursuing third-party claims alongside workers' compensation benefits, your El Segundo personal injury lawyer negotiates lien reductions to maximize the net compensation you ultimately receive.
• Countering Defense Tactics: Refinery operators and their insurers employ aggressive defense strategies to minimize liability, but experienced legal counsel anticipates and effectively counters these tactics to protect your interests.
• Demonstrating Future Damages: An oil refinery explosion lawyer presents compelling evidence of how your injuries will affect your earning capacity, quality of life, and medical needs for years to come, ensuring future losses are fully compensated.
• Maximizing Non-Economic Damages: Your oil refinery explosion lawyers build a comprehensive narrative showing the full impact of pain, suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life to secure appropriate compensation for these intangible losses.
• Leveraging Settlement Negotiations: Skilled negotiation based on thorough case preparation and willingness to proceed to trial often results in substantially higher settlement offers than victims could obtain on their own.
• Trial Preparation and Litigation: When fair settlement cannot be reached, an oil refinery explosion lawyer prepares your case for trial, presenting persuasive evidence and arguments that maximize jury awards.
• Pursuing Punitive Damages: In cases involving egregious safety violations or corporate indifference to worker safety, your attorney builds the case for punitive damages that significantly increase total compensation.
• Protecting Against Comparative Negligence: Defense attorneys often blame injured workers for causing their own injuries, but your lawyer presents evidence refuting these allegations and preserving your full compensation.

Partner With Bloom Injury Law for Maximum Recovery

Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team has the knowledge, resources, and determination to maximize compensation in complex industrial accident cases. Our oil refinery explosion lawyers handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on recovery, and we work on a contingency fee basis so you risk nothing to pursue justice. Contact our oil refinery explosion lawyer team today for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you secure the maximum compensation available for your refinery explosion injuries.

Who May Be Liable for Injuries from Oil Refinery Explosions and Fires?

Determining liability in refinery explosion cases often involves multiple parties whose negligence or misconduct contributed to the incident. An oil refinery explosion lawyer at Bloom Injury Law investigates all potential defendants to ensure you pursue compensation from every responsible party.

Potentially Liable Parties in Refinery Explosion Cases

• Refinery Owner or Operator: The company that owns and operates the refinery may be liable for failing to maintain safe working conditions, implement proper safety protocols, provide adequate training, or comply with federal and state safety regulations.
• Parent or Holding Companies: Corporate entities that own or control the refinery operator may bear liability for decisions regarding safety budgets, staffing levels, maintenance schedules, and operational policies that contributed to dangerous conditions.
• Equipment Manufacturers: Companies that designed or manufactured defective valves, pressure vessels, pumps, pipes, or other refinery equipment may be liable under product liability law when equipment failures cause explosions.
• Maintenance Contractors: Third-party companies hired to perform maintenance, repairs, or inspections may be liable if their negligent work, failure to identify hazards, or improper procedures contributed to the explosion.
• Engineering and Design Firms: Professionals who designed the refinery layout, process systems, or safety features may face liability if design flaws or inadequate safety systems allowed the explosion to occur.
• Safety Consultants: Companies contracted to conduct safety audits, risk assessments, or regulatory compliance reviews may be liable if they failed to identify obvious hazards or provided negligent recommendations.
• Construction Companies: Contractors who built or renovated portions of the refinery may be liable if construction defects, code violations, or faulty workmanship created conditions that led to the explosion.
• Chemical Suppliers: Companies that supply chemicals, catalysts, or other materials to the refinery may face liability if they provided incorrect products, failed to provide proper handling instructions, or supplied contaminated materials.
• Inspection Companies: Third-party firms hired to inspect equipment, test safety systems, or certify compliance may be liable if their negligent inspections failed to detect critical defects or safety violations.
• Training Providers: Organizations contracted to provide safety training or certification programs may bear liability if inadequate training contributed to worker errors that caused the explosion.
• Staffing Agencies: Companies that provide temporary workers to refineries may be liable if they failed to ensure workers received proper training, safety equipment, or job-appropriate qualifications.
• Property Owners: Landlords or property owners who lease land to refinery operators may face liability if they knew about dangerous conditions and failed to address them or warn the refinery operator.
• Government Entities: In rare cases, government agencies responsible for inspections or regulatory oversight may bear liability if gross negligence in their duties allowed dangerous conditions to persist.

Let Bloom Injury Law Identify All Responsible Parties

Refinery explosion cases often involve complex corporate structures and multiple contributing factors that require thorough investigation to identify all liable parties. Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team has the resources and determination to uncover every source of compensation available to you.

Well-Known Refinery Explosions and Fires

Oil refinery explosions and fires have caused devastating injuries and fatalities throughout history, highlighting the serious dangers these facilities pose. These incidents serve as reminders of why victims need an oil refinery explosion lawyer to hold negligent parties accountable and secure compensation.

Historic and Recent Refinery Disasters

• Chevron El Segundo Refinery Fire (2025): On October 2, 2025, a massive fire erupted at the Chevron El Segundo refinery following reports of an explosion at approximately 9:30 PM, sending flames so high they were visible from over 20 miles away and prompting shelter-in-place orders for nearby Manhattan Beach residents.
• BP Texas City Refinery Explosion (2005): This catastrophic explosion killed 15 workers and injured more than 180 others when a hydrocarbon vapor cloud ignited during the startup of an isomerization unit, resulting in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent U.S. history.
• Chevron Richmond Refinery Fire (2012): A corroded pipe ruptured at this Northern California facility, releasing flammable hydrocarbon vapor that ignited and sent approximately 15,000 residents to hospitals with respiratory complaints, resulting in significant regulatory fines and reforms.
• Phillips 66 Pasadena Refinery Explosion (1989): This disaster killed 23 workers and injured more than 130 when a release of highly flammable process gases ignited, causing multiple explosions that destroyed significant portions of the facility and prompted major changes to OSHA regulations.
• Valero Refinery Explosion (2007): An asphalt tank explosion at this Texas refinery killed one worker and injured others when maintenance work on the tank caused vapors to ignite, demonstrating the hazards of hot work operations around flammable materials.
• ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery Explosion (2015): A massive explosion rocked this Southern California facility when an electrostatic precipitator exploded during maintenance, injuring four workers and causing extensive damage that kept the refinery offline for months and affected regional gasoline supplies.
• Husky Energy Superior Refinery Explosion (2018): This Wisconsin refinery explosion injured at least 36 people and forced evacuations when an asphalt unit malfunctioned, releasing debris and causing a large fire that burned for hours before firefighters could contain it.
• Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Fire (2019): The largest refinery on the East Coast experienced a series of explosions that released hydrofluoric acid and sent massive fireballs into the air, ultimately leading to the permanent closure of the 150-year-old facility.
• Shell Deer Park Refinery Explosion (2022): Workers suffered injuries when a fire broke out at this Texas refinery complex, requiring evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents as emergency responders worked to control the blaze.
• Marathon Petroleum Texas City Refinery Fire (2023): Multiple workers sustained injuries when a unit malfunction caused a fire at this major Gulf Coast refinery, disrupting operations and raising concerns about maintenance practices at aging facilities.

Common Causes of Oil Refinery Explosions and Fires

Understanding what causes refinery explosions and fires is essential for determining liability and building strong legal cases. An oil refinery explosion lawyer at Bloom Injury Law investigates these underlying causes to identify negligent parties and secure compensation for injured victims.

Factors That Lead to Refinery Disasters

• Equipment Failure: Aging pipes, valves, pressure vessels, and other machinery can corrode, crack, or malfunction due to inadequate maintenance, leading to dangerous releases of flammable materials that ignite and cause catastrophic explosions.
• Inadequate Maintenance: Deferred repairs, skipped inspections, and insufficient preventive maintenance programs allow minor defects to deteriorate into major hazards, creating conditions where equipment failures become inevitable.
• Human Error: Workers who receive inadequate training, face pressure to meet production quotas, or operate without proper supervision may make critical mistakes in valve operations, process control, or safety procedures that trigger explosions.
• Process Safety Management Failures: Refineries that fail to implement comprehensive hazard analysis programs, maintain mechanical integrity standards, or follow proper management of change procedures create systemic risks that can result in catastrophic incidents.
• Defective Equipment: Manufacturing defects in valves, gauges, safety systems, or other refinery equipment may cause these components to fail during normal operations, releasing flammable materials or allowing dangerous conditions to develop.
• Hot Work Hazards: Welding, cutting, grinding, and other maintenance activities that generate sparks or heat near flammable materials can ignite vapors or gases, especially when proper permits, gas monitoring, and fire watch procedures are not followed.
• Overpressure Incidents: When pressure relief systems fail or processes are improperly controlled, vessels and pipes can exceed their design pressure limits, resulting in ruptures that release large quantities of flammable hydrocarbons.
• Communication Breakdowns: Poor communication during shift changes, maintenance turnarounds, or emergency situations can lead to workers unknowingly creating hazardous conditions or failing to respond appropriately to developing problems.
• Design Flaws: Inadequate ventilation systems, improperly sized relief valves, poor equipment layout, or flawed process designs create inherent safety vulnerabilities that may not become apparent until a catastrophic failure occurs.
• Inadequate Emergency Response: Refineries without sufficient firefighting equipment, properly trained emergency response teams, or effective emergency action plans may be unable to contain small incidents before they escalate into major disasters.
• Chemical Reactions: Uncontrolled exothermic reactions, contaminated feedstocks, or improper mixing of incompatible materials can generate excessive heat and pressure that overwhelms containment systems and causes explosions.
• Electrical System Failures: Faulty wiring, inadequate grounding, equipment not rated for hazardous locations, or electrical malfunctions can provide ignition sources in areas where flammable vapors are present.
• Regulatory Violations: Refineries that violate OSHA, Cal/OSHA, or EPA regulations by failing to implement required safety programs, conduct mandatory inspections, or address known hazards create conditions where explosions become more likely.
• Cost-Cutting Measures: Corporate decisions to reduce staffing levels, defer capital improvements, minimize training programs, or cut corners on safety investments increase risks and demonstrate the negligence that an oil refinery explosion lawyer can establish in litigation.

Hold Negligent Refineries Accountable

Most refinery explosions and fires result from preventable causes rooted in negligence, inadequate safety culture, or corporate prioritization of profits over worker protection. If you've been injured in a refinery incident caused by any of these factors, Bloom Injury Law can investigate your case and pursue compensation from all responsible parties. Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team has the knowledge and resources to take on major oil companies and hold them accountable for their failures. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Bloom Injury Law?

When you've been injured in a refinery explosion or fire, choosing the right legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Our oil rig injury lawyers provide dedicated advocacy and comprehensive legal support to help oil refinery explosion victims secure maximum compensation.

Our Commitment to Refinery Explosion Victims

• Thorough Case Investigation: Our oil refinery explosion lawyer team conducts comprehensive investigations, working with engineers, safety consultants, and industry professionals to uncover all evidence of negligence and establish liability against refineries and other responsible parties.
• Personalized Attention: Oil refinery explosion lawyers treat every client with respect and compassion, providing direct access to your attorney, prompt responses to questions, and clear communication throughout the legal process so you always understand the status of your case.
• Contingency Fee Basis: Oil refinery explosion lawyers handle refinery explosion cases on a contingency fee arrangement, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, ensuring access to quality oil rig injury lawyers regardless of your financial situation.
• Local Knowledge and Accessibility: Located in El Segundo near major petroleum facilities in Southern California, our oil refinery explosion lawyer team understands the regional refinery industry and provides convenient access to oil rig injury lawyers when you need it most.

Start Your Path to Justice Today

Oil refinery explosion lawyers are committed to helping refinery explosion victims hold negligent parties accountable and rebuild their lives. Our oil rig injury lawyers' track record of dedicated representation and client-focused service makes us the right choice for your oil refinery explosion case. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our El Segundo Oil Refinery Explosion Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an oil refinery explosion or fire, don't wait to protect your legal rights. Time limits apply to filing injury claims, and the sooner you act, the better our oil refinery explosion lawyers can preserve crucial evidence and build your case. At Bloom Injury Law, our experienced oil refinery explosion lawyer team is ready to provide the skilled representation you need to pursue justice and fair compensation. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you move forward.

Oil Refinery Explosion FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim after a refinery explosion? California generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of the incident, though specific deadlines may vary depending on the type of claim and who you're filing against. Government entities require special notice within six months, and certain circumstances may extend or shorten these deadlines, making it critical to consult an oil refinery explosion lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

What should I do immediately after being injured in a refinery explosion? Seek emergency medical attention first, even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions like internal trauma or toxic exposure may not show immediate symptoms. Document your injuries with photographs, keep all medical records, report the incident to your employer, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without oil rig injury lawyers present, and contact an oil refinery explosion lawyer to begin investigating your case while evidence is fresh.

Can family members file claims if their loved one died in a refinery explosion? Yes, surviving family members including spouses, children, and sometimes parents or other dependents can file wrongful death claims to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages resulting from their loved one's death in a refinery explosion.

Will I receive workers' compensation and also be able to sue? Most refinery workers are entitled to workers' compensation benefits that cover medical treatment and partial wage replacement regardless of fault, and these benefits are typically provided by your employer. Additionally, you may pursue third-party lawsuits against equipment manufacturers, contractors, or other non-employer entities whose negligence contributed to the explosion, allowing you to recover additional compensation beyond workers' compensation limits.

How long does a refinery explosion case typically take? Case timelines vary significantly based on complexity, the number of defendants involved, willingness to settle, and court schedules, with simpler cases potentially resolving in several months while complex litigation may take one to three years or longer. An oil refinery explosion lawyer can provide a more specific timeline after evaluating the unique circumstances of your case and the defendants' approach to settlement negotiations.

Do I really need a lawyer for my refinery explosion injury claim? While not legally required, refinery explosion cases involve complex liability issues, multiple potential defendants, technical evidence, and well-funded corporate defense teams that make legal representation essential for maximizing compensation. An oil refinery explosion lawyer levels the playing field, handles all legal complexities, and ensures you don't settle for less than your case is worth while you focus on recovery.

What evidence is needed to prove a refinery explosion case? Strong cases rely on maintenance records, safety inspection reports, OSHA citations, witness testimony, photographs of the scene and injuries, medical documentation, employment records, expert opinions from engineers and safety consultants, and surveillance footage or process data showing conditions before and during the explosion.

How much does it cost to hire an oil refinery explosion lawyer? Bloom Injury Law handles refinery explosion cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery, ensuring quality oil rig injury lawyers are accessible regardless of your current financial situation.

Can contractors or temporary workers injured at refineries file claims? Yes, contractors, temporary workers, and other non-employees injured in refinery explosions typically have broader legal options than direct employees since they're not limited to workers' compensation and can file personal injury lawsuits directly against the refinery operator and other negligent parties.

What if the refinery claims I caused my own injuries? California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. An oil refinery explosion lawyer counters these defense tactics by presenting evidence that the refinery's negligence was the primary cause of the incident and your injuries.