Savannah, Georgia Industrial Accident and Burn Injury Attorneys
Harris Penn & Lowry, LLP
Rights for those Injured in the Imperial Sugar Plant Refinery Explosion
On February 7, the small community of Port Wentworth, Georgia was rocked by an explosion at the Imperial Sugar Refinery. Port Wentworth lies just north of Savannah, Georgia on the border with South Carolina. The explosion destroyed the refinery and injured many inside of the refinery. At this point, six (6) people are dead with at least two (2) still missing. More than forty (40) people were injured with nineteen (19) being taken to the Burn Center at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. All of those persons were listed as serious or critical condition. Many of the injuries involved were severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Parts of the refinery are still smoldering and extremely hot. The plant has been placed under the authority and control of the Savannah Fire and Rescue team for further rescue and recovery efforts.
The cause of the explosion is believed to be the ignition of sugar dust in the air. A relatively small fire in one of the silos became an explosive fireball when sugar dust was spread into the air by a structural disturbance at the plant.
It is hard to believe but sugar dust is an extremely volatile and flammable substance. In fact, the hazard of dust related explosions and fires is well known within the industry. In 2007, the Domino Sugar Refinery exploded in Baltimore, Maryland from a release of sugar dust.
In November 2006, the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board completed a two year investigation of industrial dust explosions and the findings were troubling in that over the past 25 years there have been 281 combustible dust fires in 44 states that have killed 119 workers and injured 718.
The causes of the fire at Imperial Sugar will not be known for sure until the plant has been fully inspected by experts in fire cause and origin. The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) as well as the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have begun their investigation but it will take some time as parts of the plant are still too hot and dangerous to inspect.
Imperial Sugar bought the Dixie Crystal Sugar Refinery with its purchase of Savannah Foods in 1997. Imperial Sugar is based out of Sugarland, Texas.
Your Rights
While there may be worker’s compensation payments provided for employees of Imperial Sugar, this is only a partial compensation and may not be your only means of recovery. Any independent contractors on site such as construction workers, electricians, welders, carpenters and others will be able to pursue negligence claims under tort law for full compensation. It is important not to sign any releases with Imperial Sugar or any insurance companies until you understand your full rights. If you sign a release you will lose any ability for further recovery.
Employees of Imperial Sugar may have rights of recovery in addition to worker’s compensation against any potentially liable third parties, such as independent contractors responsible for maintaining the plant and its safety, product manufacturers for any product that malfunctioned and was a cause of the explosion, as well as those that designed and built the plant should they be independent from Imperial Sugar.
Harris Penn & Lowry, LLP is a Savannah, Georgia law firm with a national practice and a national reputation. Our firm has successfully litigated cases and recovered sums for hundreds of injured individuals around the country. However, since this explosion occurred right here in Coastal Georgia it is important to retain a law firm based here in Chatham County. There are many law firms advertising for these claims from places as far away as Houston, Dallas and New York City. You need a local well-experienced law firm to protect your rights.
The lawyers at Harris Penn & Lowry are ready to help. We are meeting with potential claimants currently. The lawyers at Harris Penn & Lowry have represented numerous individuals injured in industrial accidents, including those with severe burn injuries.
Los abógados de Harris Penn & Lowry hemos representado varios clientes lesionados en acidentes industrials. Si Vd. solamente habla español y fué lesionado en la explosión, estamos disponibles a su honario para una cita y estamos a su servicio y nos puede llamarnos con toda confianza.
Please contact us through this website or at:
Harris Penn & Lowry, LLP
405 E. Perry Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912) 651-9967
steve@hpllegal.com
Imperial Sugar Plant Explosion Burn Injury Lawyers - Harris Penn & Lowry, LLP
