Contractor Injured at a Refinery? You Can Sue the Site Operator.
If you were hired through a staffing agency or contractor and got hurt at a Houston refinery, the operator who controlled safety at that site may owe you far more than workers comp.
Check My EligibilityWhy Contract Workers Have More Rights Than They Think
Houston-area refineries depend on thousands of contract workers for turnaround shutdowns, routine maintenance, welding, insulation, and scaffolding. If you were hired through a staffing agency like Brock Services, Matrix Service, or a local contractor, your employer probably carries a workers comp policy. That policy covers basic medical bills and partial wage replacement. But it often leaves out the biggest losses: pain and suffering, full lost wages, and long-term disability.
What most contractors do not know is that the refinery operator — Shell, ExxonMobil, Marathon, LyondellBasell, or Valero — may be separately liable for your injuries. Under Texas law, the company that controls the worksite is responsible for maintaining safe conditions for everyone working there, not just their direct employees. If the operator failed to enforce lockout/tagout procedures, ignored known hazards, or skipped required safety briefings, you can file a third-party personal injury claim against them.
The Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine
OSHA's multi-employer worksite policy holds the "controlling employer" responsible for hazards even when the injured worker is employed by someone else. In a refinery, the operator typically controls access, safety protocols, hot work permits, and emergency procedures. When an OSHA violation is issued against the operator for a condition that injured a contract worker, it becomes powerful evidence in a third-party lawsuit.
This applies whether you were doing pipe fitting during a turnaround, operating a crane, cleaning vessels, or handling chemicals. If the operator created or allowed the unsafe condition, your contractor's workers comp is not the end of the story — it's the beginning.
Key Facts for Contract Workers
Houston-area refineries
30+
use contract labor for daily operations and turnarounds
Third-party claim recovery
3-10x
more than workers comp when the site operator is at fault
OSHA multi-employer citations
Rising
operators cited for contractor injuries at their facilities
What to Do After a Contractor Injury at a Refinery
Report the injury to both your direct employer and the refinery operator. Request copies of the incident report, safety orientation records, and any hot work or confined space permits for that day. If possible, photograph the area where the injury occurred before conditions change. Refinery operators sometimes alter the worksite quickly after an accident.
Texas law prohibits retaliation against workers who report injuries or file claims. Your employer and the refinery operator cannot fire you, demote you, or blacklist you for seeking legal help. A consultation with a licensed attorney is confidential — your employer will not be contacted without your written permission. Start with our free 60-second quiz to see if you qualify.
Check Your Claim in 60 Seconds
Free, confidential, and no obligation. Find out if you have a third-party claim against the refinery operator.
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