Worksites are infamous for being places where accidents can and do happen. Unfortunately, this worker found that out firsthand.
It started out as a relatively normal day at work for the man in this personal injury case. He left home thinking about the other things he needed to do when he got home later, wondered about how his kids were doing at school and looked forward to a nice meal upon his return; a typical day in the life of a plant worker.
Later that day, what started out as being a normal morning turned into a living nightmare for this worker. He sustained severe burns on his arms and face as the result of a flash fire. The fire was caused by methyl ethyl ketone vapors igniting in the paint plant. Methyl ethyl ketone is also referred to as butanone, which is an industrial solvent noted for its flammability.
Emergency response crews rushed the man to hospital for treatment. The plant and the U.S. OSHA will be conducting a further investigation into the incident. The starting point for this investigation will be what triggered the flash fire and why were the butanone vapors so concentrated that something set them off. Unfortunately, butanone is a colorless liquid and may not be seen in time to avoid a flash fire. Its flash point is -7 degrees Celsius.
This particular chemical is highly dangerous and may cause respiratory tract irritation, severe skin and eye inflammation with the added possibility of burns. It may also affect the victim’s central nervous system and cause corneal damage. Butanone can be absorbed through the skin and prolonged exposure causes irritation and dermatitis, inflammation of the digestive tract, central nervous system depression, headaches, sleepiness, dizziness and nausea. Without prompt treatment, the victim may collapse, fall into a coma and die as a result of respiratory failure.
In other words, this chemical is not something to be taken lightly. If the victim did sustain severe injuries as a result of the flash fire or even as a result of working with this dangerous and toxic chemical, he would be well advised to discuss legal strategy with a seasoned Austin personal injury attorney.
If the damage done is severe enough, the victim may need care for the rest of his life. The only way to get the proper kind of legal representation in court to secure a fair and equitable jury award is to hire a reputable and aggressive Austin personal injury attorney. Do not wait to consult legal counsel on something this serious, or you may miss your window of opportunity to file a lawsuit for the compensation you may deserve.
Robert W. Lee is an Austin personal injury lawyer for The Lee Law Firm. If you need an Austin personal injury lawyer, contact an Austin personal injury attorney from The Lee Law Firm. Visit RWLeelaw.com.
