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Steve Kherkher - February 28, 2026
A Valero Refinery fire during a maintenance “turnaround” period has left multiple workers seriously injured – one fatally. As investigations continue, injured workers are now filing lawsuits alleging that critical safety protections were not properly implemented at the facility.
Refinery fires and explosions are among the most devastating industrial incidents in the United States. When they occur, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can last a lifetime.
At Kherkher Garcia, our oil and gas injury attorneys in Houston represent refinery workers and families harmed by catastrophic industrial accidents. When safety systems fail, accountability matters. Our team can help.
The February 9th fire occurred at the Valero refinery in Ardmore during a scheduled turnaround – a period when production equipment is taken offline for inspection, maintenance, and repairs. The incident left four workers injured and one worker deceased.
According to reports, the explosion occurred in the crude unit. It has been alleged that a heat exchanger contained flammable hydrocarbons and that those hydrocarbons escaped and came into contact with high-temperature equipment, triggering an explosion.
One injured worker was reportedly knocked from a 15-foot scaffold by the blast. He suffered facial and skull fractures, multiple broken ribs, burn injuries, and internal trauma. Another injured worker reportedly attempted to rescue a severely burned coworker who later died from his injuries.
Federal agencies, including OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, are investigating the incident. OSHA has up to six months to complete its review.
The refinery has stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is not the first time Valero has come under scrutiny after an incident. In January, 2025 a fire at the Three Rivers Refinery in Texas had residents on edge. In March, 2025, a fire at Valero’s Corpus Christi refinery caused hazardous emissions including heptanes, released into the air.
Refinery turnaround periods are widely recognized as some of the most hazardous phases of plant operation. During turnarounds:
If residual hydrocarbons are not fully cleared or isolated, they can ignite when exposed to heat sources. Refineries contain high-pressure systems, extreme temperatures, and volatile chemicals. When safety protocols are not strictly followed, the results are catastrophic.
Two injured workers have now filed lawsuits alleging that appropriate safety measures were not in place at the time of the explosion. While the specific allegations will be examined through litigation and investigation, refinery fire lawsuits often focus on whether:
Refinery operators have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment. During high-risk maintenance operations, adherence to safety standards is critical. Civil lawsuits may help injured workers and their families pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impairment.
Refinery explosions can cause severe and life-altering injuries, including:
Burn injuries often require:
These injuries can permanently affect a worker’s ability to return to the refinery or any physically demanding occupation.
After a refinery fire, injured workers may have several legal avenues available depending on the circumstances.
Some workers may be covered by workers’ compensation benefits, which typically provide medical expense coverage and partial wage replacement. However, workers’ compensation may limit recovery for pain and suffering. Additionally, not all employers in Texas subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance, which can leave workers without benefits.
Refinery incidents often involve multiple parties, such as contractors and equipment manufacturers. If a party other than the direct employer contributed to the fire, injured workers may have a third-party personal injury claim. Potential third-party defendants may include:
Third-party claims may allow injured workers to pursue full damages, including pain and suffering and loss of future earning capacity.
When a refinery worker loses their life, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims may seek compensation for:
No lawsuit can undo a tragic loss. But legal action can provide families with financial security and help uncover whether preventable safety failures occurred. By holding companies accountable, lawsuits can also work toward improving safety procedures and preventing future incidents.
OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board are investigating the Valero Refinery fire. These investigations often examine:
While regulatory findings are important, civil claims are separate from government investigations. Injured workers and families do not have to wait for agencies to complete their reports before seeking legal guidance.
Refinery fire cases require technical expertise, independent investigation, and coordination with safety engineers and fire experts. Kherkher Garcia has extensive experience handling refinery explosions, chemical plant incidents, and catastrophic industrial injury claims nationwide. Our team works to:
Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts. But when refinery safety failures result in devastating harm, experienced legal representation is critical.
Turnarounds involve opening equipment that may contain flammable materials and working under time pressure. This increases risk.
Possibly. Third-party lawsuits may still be available if someone other than the employer contributed to the incident.
Deadlines vary by state. In Texas, the deadline for workers’ compensation is one year. For third party lawsuits, generally the deadline is two years. Speaking with an attorney promptly helps protect your rights.
No. You can consult an attorney at any time.
In injury claims, damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering. In wrongful death claims, damages may also include funeral or burial expenses, loss of support, and loss of companionship.
The Valero Refinery fire in Ardmore is a tragic reminder of the dangers refinery workers face, especially during turnaround periods. When explosions occur, families deserve answers.
At Kherkher Garcia, we have represented workers injured in refinery fires, chemical plant explosions, and other catastrophic industrial incidents across Texas and nationwide. Our firm understands the complexity of refinery safety regulations and the investigative demands these cases require.
If you were injured, or someone you live died, in a refinery explosion or fire, contact Kherkher Garcia. Start with a free, confidential consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options. You deserve experienced advocates who will work to uncover what happened and pursue accountability on your behalf. We are here to help.
Start your consultation by calling 713-333-1030. You can also reach out to us online via our website contact form.
Image by tohamina on Freepik
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
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