Workers File $1 Million Lawsuit Against PEMEX After Fatal Chemical Leak in Deer Park

Deer Park, Texas – October 15, 2024

In the wake of last week’s fatal hydrogen sulfide leak at PEMEX’s Deer Park refinery, a group of injured workers has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the Mexican energy company. 

The lawsuit, filed by three workers, accuses PEMEX of gross negligence, reckless disregard for safety protocols, and exposing employees to life-threatening conditions during the chemical leak.

Picture Credits: houstonpublicmedia.org

The incident, which took place on Thursday afternoon, claimed the lives of two contracted employees and left 35 others injured. 

Among those impacted, several workers experienced severe symptoms of hydrogen sulfide exposure, including dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and respiratory distress. At least 13 of the injured were hospitalized, while others were treated on-site.

The three workers leading the lawsuit, identified as Sergio Antonio Olvera, Jonathan Martinez, and Yoselynn Soto, allege that PEMEX failed to provide adequate warnings or safety measures before sending them into a hazardous area. 

According to the lawsuit, they were exposed to high levels of hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas with a strong odor resembling rotten eggs, which is highly toxic to the respiratory and neurological systems.

Mo Aziz, the attorney representing the workers through the Houston-based law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, stated that the exposure has left the plaintiffs unable to return to work. 

“They were exposed to a high volume of gas in a very short time frame before they were evacuated,” Aziz said. “Dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea—one of them still can’t get out of bed.” 

He further described PEMEX’s actions as a “complete and reckless disregard” for the safety of both workers and the general public.

The lawsuit highlights the fact that hydrogen sulfide is a dangerous byproduct of the oil refining process, and its release should have been prevented by proper containment procedures. 

According to Aziz, the company’s failure to follow standard safety protocols during the incident allowed the leak to persist for over 12 hours. 

This prolonged-release significantly increased the risk to workers, contractors, and even nearby communities. In such cases, one should always take the help of a reputable toxic chemical exposure lawyer. 

Investigation Underway as Safety Concerns Mount at Chemical Plants

While PEMEX has not yet commented on the incident, the legal action has intensified public scrutiny of safety practices at chemical plants in the Houston area. 

The lawsuit demands that PEMEX preserve all evidence related to the gas leak, including photographs, video footage, audio recordings, and internal documents, to ensure a thorough investigation into the causes of the leak.

The release of hydrogen sulfide from the Deer Park facility has sparked concern among local officials and environmental agencies, who are working to determine whether the refinery’s safety systems were sufficient to contain the gas. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly involved in the investigation, and early reports suggest that the gas release could have been prevented with better safety management.

The Legal Battle and Future Implications

In the current lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking $1 million in damages for the harm caused by hydrogen sulfide exposure. 

In addition to their immediate health issues, the workers claim that the exposure has had a long-term impact on their ability to work and live normal lives. 

Aziz emphasized that some of the plaintiffs are still bedridden, and it is unclear when or if they will be able to return to work.

The lawsuit also seeks to hold PEMEX accountable for its safety practices and demands that the company implement better protections for workers moving forward. This includes revising safety protocols to prevent future leaks and ensuring that employees are properly trained to respond to emergencies.