The lawsuit was filed on September 9 against Clean Harbors Industrial Services, Signature Industrial Services, Brock Services, American Guarantee and Liability Insurance Co., Zurich American Insurance Co., and Lexington Insurance Co., in Jefferson County District Court.

According to the complaint, a fire started in the refinery on April 17, 2013, after an attempt to service a unit that removes sulfur from hydrocarbon feeds. The suit states that ExxonMobil hired Clean Harbors to clean the exchangers and remove all hydrocarbons from the system, then hired Signature to remove bolts from the system after the cleaning.

The lawsuit states that Clean Harbors declared the clean to be complete, but approximately 30-60 gallons of hydrocarbon were still present in the system. The hydrocarbon was released from the channel head flange when Signature removed bolts from the unit. The suit alleges that Signature used a cutting wrench rather than an impact wrench, and the flame from the torch ignited the hydrocarbons, causing the fire.

ExxonMobil said that employees of Brock Services were injured in the fire, and ExxonMobil was forced to pay them workers’ compensation benefits. Lawsuits have also been filed against ExxonMobil by injured workers. According to the Beaumont Fire Department, 12 workers were injured in the fire, with three of them sustaining severe burns.

In its suit, ExxonMobil alleges breach of contract and negligence, and it seeks actual damages plus 18 percent interest, declaratory relief, attorneys’ fees and other relief.

Gregory D. Jordan is an Austin Oil and Gas lawyer. To learn more, visit http://www.theaustintriallawyer.com or call 512-419-0684.

C&D filed the lawsuit against TGW Systems Inc., claiming breach of contract. According to the lawsuit, the two companies entered into a contract calling for C&D to receive a five percent commission on services that TGW provided in the tire industry — including engineering, equipment and installation services.

C&D claims that since the agreement was made in May 2008, TGW has entered into significant business in the tire industry (including a $20 million contract with Goodyear) but has not paid C&D any commissions.

C&D alleges that it sent TGW an invoice in the amount of $715,589 for unpaid commissions, but TGW did not respond. C&D claims that the defendant’s lack of response to the invoice constitutes breach of contract.

C&D Skilled Robotics designs and builds robotic material handling systems for the tire and rubber, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, textile and paper industries. The company has locations in Beaumont, Texas and Schio, Italy.

TGW is a provider of automated material handling equipment and storage systems, headquartered in Spring Lake, Michigan.

The lawsuit seeks at least $715,589 in damages, plus costs.

Gregory D. Jordan is a business lawyer and business litigation attorney in Austin, TX. To learn more, visit http://www.theaustintriallawyer.com or call 512-419-0684.