Louisiana oilfield accident attorneys help families after fatal explosions.

Louisiana – March 5, 2021

An inactive oil field site in Beauregard Parish Louisiana was the scene of an explosion that caused fatal injury to a 14-year-old girl.  The incident occurred on Sunday February 28, 2021 and the Beauregard Fire Company responded to an explosion and fire in the area of Cordial Lane and S. Cooley Road.  According to witness reports there were two tank batteries on the inactive oil field site that exploded, one traveling several hundred yards from its original storage space and the area where the young girl’s body was found.  The State Fire Marshal along with Beauregard Parish deputies and Louisiana State police determined that the victim’s interaction with the crude oil barrels may have caused the explosion.  Residents who live near inactive oil sites should not go near equipment, or oil storage on site properties because it can be dangerous and it is a trespassing violation.  The Louisiana Department of Natural Gas confirmed that highly flammable crude oil had been stored by the company for “a while,” and the site, owned by Urban Oil and Gas based out of Plano, TX, was inactive.  The surviving family should consult with a personal injury attorney in Louisiana to determine if they have a cause to sue for damages.

Oil field dangers.

Louisiana has regulations regarding the safe storage of dangerous compounds at inactive oilfields to assure minimal dangers to surrounding communities.  A Louisiana injury attorney will try to prove that a company was in breach of the proper governmental policies for storing dangerous compounds, citing negligence as a factor in the harms.  Active oilfield explosions commonly occur due to glitches with machinery, or worn equipment such a weaknesses in pipes, or pumps causing explosions.  Federal and state agencies typically investigate the cause of explosions and fires at oilfields, and explosion victims may be able to use the evidence they have collected to prove the cause of the explosion.  In certain cases an accident victim may need to sue a parts manufacturer if the fault is determined to fall upon equipment malfunction.  Consultation with oilfield injury lawyers at Stag Liuzza Law Firm is prudent after a fatal accident occurs.

Negligence.

Oilfield accident victims must prove that an oilfield explosion was something that another party was responsible for, such as a failure to upkeep and maintain specialized site equipment, or warn of potential dangers.  Negligent parties to an inactive oilfield explosion may include oil companies, on site supervisors, and/or a parent company who did not close out the storage facility in accordance with state and federal environmental safety standards.

Wrongful death.

Legal representatives and certain family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit within one year from the date of the death caused by the negligent, reckless, or deliberate act of another.  Damages in these lawsuits include:

• Medical bills and burial expenses
• Compensation for lost wages
• Compensation for the pain and suffering
• Punitive damages that are intended to punish the person who caused the death.

Seek legal counsel.

Loved ones of victims suffering fatal injury after an oilfield explosion should speak with experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Stag Liuzza, who may be able to find fault with the oil company, due to improper storage, or breaches in notifications of dangers.  Since the teenager was trespassing at the time of the explosion, damage compensation may not be entertained, but because the explosion affected other residents, legal options may be available for anyone suffering harmful loss after the explosion.  .

STAG LIUZZA, LLC

One Canal Place
365 Canal Street
Suite 2850
New Orleans, LA 70130

Ph: 504-593-9600
Fax: 504-593-9601

Sources.

http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109371

http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/OC/env_div/ep_waste_sec/Chapter_Updated_5_20200227.pdf

https://www.klfy.com/louisiana/investigation-into-longville-oil-tank-explosion-continues/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/authorities-identify-14-year-old-killed-in-beauregard-oil-well-explosion/ar-BB1e7JEv

http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=814789

https://www.laworks.net/WorkersComp/OWC_MainMenu.asp

https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=87971

http://legis.la.gov/Legis/Laws_Toc.aspx?folder=105&title=31