Workers Injured in Bay City Ammonia Leak Sue Chemical Plant Company for Negligence
More than a dozen employees hurt last week in an ammonia leak at a Bay City chemical plant are suing over injuries they blame on company negligence, according to a lawsuit filed this week.
The lawsuit represents 13 contract workers who say they were exposed to harmful fumes on March 7, following a valve failure on a brine chiller at the Roehm USA facility.
OQ Chemicals, which began construction on the plant alongside Roehm in 2022, is listed as the main defendant in the suit. OQ Chemicals did not immediately respond to a request for comment but told Houston Public Media that it had not been served with the lawsuit and played no role in the leak.
In a statement Monday, German chemicals company Rhoem said the Bay City plant is not in operation yet, but in the final stage of the start-up.
"There was no threat to the public at any time. Röhm is cooperating closely with authorities," the statement read. "The safety of employees, the community, and the environment remain to be the company’s priority."
The suit, filed by Pearland-based law firm J.D. Silva & Associates and Houston-based law firm Kherkher Garcia, LLP., is seeking punitive damages and compensation on behalf of the injured workers.
“We believe the injuries suffered by these workers were entirely preventable, and this lawsuit seeks to hold OQ Chemicals accountable for the harm caused,” Johnathan D. Silva said in a statement. “No one should have to endure such dangerous conditions while simply doing their job. Our firm, alongside Kherkher Garcia, are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients and ensuring that those responsible are held liable for their negligence.”
A separate lawsuit was filed on behalf of Luis Arturo Solana Aguilar, another employee who claims he was injured in last week's ammonia leak due to OQ Chemical's negligence in managing the plant. The suit is seeking $1 million in monetary relief from the company, which it claims failed to properly inspect and monitor the refinery.