Second Explosion at Midland Resource Recovery Kills One

Just one month after an explosion at Midland Resource Recovery that killed two people and severely injured a third, a second explosion has taken the life of another employee. And much like the prior incident, the explosion occurred as the worker was attempting to clean a tank.

Chief Depuy Brett Carpenter from the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department stated he believed this most recent explosion was “… probably a pressurized explosion and not anything that was sparked,” but investigators are still confirming the cause.

Chris Hershman, a witness in the area at the time of the incident described the explosion as a “… really loud boom and you could feel the ground shake… loud enough to where you felt it was not something normal.”

According to OSHA officials, there are up to 11 other tanks at the location that could be unstable, but the agency stopped short of saying anyone else in the area is in danger. A local news station investigating the original incident (5 News) asked OSHA officials why employees were cleared to return to the worksite, but the agency gave no comment. Now, the worksite has been shut down to investigate both incidents – a process that could take up to six months.

Injured Employees Could Have Access to Compensation Beyond Workers’ Compensation

The ongoing issues at Midland Resource Recovery are an example of how dangerous the work environment can be, especially when there are hazardous materials onsite. Every day people are seriously injured – or worse – as the result of exposure to dangerous chemicals and explosions. And though workers’ compensation is available to help offset the cost of medical care, it is often not enough to compensate victims and their families following an explosion.

We work with clients in work injury cases who need assistance above and beyond what is offered by workers’ compensation. These cases involve third party claims, which are filed when a non-employer’s actions or products cause a workplace injury. If you have been injured in a workplace event, you could be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit that would not only provide money for medical bills, but also provide you with compensation for pain and suffering.

If you’ve been injured in the workplace, you might be eligible to file a third-party claim separate from your workers’ compensation claim. We can help you show negligence or a violation of legal duty by a third party, which is common when machinery malfunctions in the workplace.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace explosion or other catastrophic event, you have a right to take legal action. For more information or to speak to an attorney, contact Heavens Law at 888.897.5377.