Arnold & Itkin sues Chevron for refinery explosion, alleging negligence caused severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and long-term emotional and physical trauma.
Arnold & Itkin LLP, a prominent trial law firm specializing in workplace injury cases, has initiated a lawsuit against Chevron Corporation and its subsidiary Chevron U.S.A. Inc. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of five workers who sustained serious injuries following a catastrophic explosion at Chevron’s Pascagoula Refinery in Mississippi on July 14, 2025. The legal complaint was officially lodged in the Harris County District Court in Texas, accusing Chevron of both negligence and gross negligence that allegedly led to the incident and caused long-term harm to the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit asserts that Chevron permitted "hot work"—a type of operation involving welding or cutting—in a zone where flammable gases were present. As per the complaint, the company knowingly allowed the introduction of volatile gases into a space where workers were instructed to perform tasks, creating a highly dangerous and unstable environment. This decision reportedly resulted in a massive ignition that triggered a devastating fire and explosion. The blast inflicted severe burns on the plaintiffs, along with permanent physical and psychological trauma. As a result of their injuries, the affected workers are no longer able to engage in their prior occupations, and many are facing lifelong disabilities.
The plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation to cover extensive medical expenses, lost earnings due to inability to work, long-term physical impairments, and emotional suffering. Additionally, they are requesting exemplary damages—also known as punitive damages—based on what they describe as Chevron’s "conscious disregard" for employee safety. According to the legal team, the risk of explosion was both foreseeable and preventable, yet Chevron failed to take appropriate measures to protect its workforce.
The complaint lists multiple failures in Chevron’s safety protocols, including inadequate gas monitoring practices, failure to purge the area of flammable substances, insufficient training for employees, and a lack of timely warnings about potential dangers. It alleges that Chevron had direct and actual knowledge of these hazards but still allowed the hazardous work to proceed, thereby endangering lives. These actions, according to the suit, reflect a pattern of neglect and disregard for safety standards expected of companies operating in high-risk environments like petroleum refining.
Arnold & Itkin LLP has requested a jury trial to determine the extent of Chevron’s liability and to secure justice for the injured workers. The law firm, known for representing victims of industrial accidents and plant explosions, emphasized that holding major corporations accountable is essential to ensuring future workplace safety.
