Chalmette Refinery Accident
Chalmette Refinery Accident Injury Lawsuits
Chalmette Refinery Accident | Power Outage, Catalyst Powder Release, Material | Injury, Respiratory Problems, Eye Irritation, Property Damage
Was your health or property damaged as a result of the September 2010 Chalmette Refining power outage and catalyst powder release? The Chalmette Refining power outage in Louisiana's St. Bernard Parish released at least 2,000 lbs of spent catalyst powder over much of Chalmette, Arabi and New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. At this time, health officials are still trying to determine what hazards the spent catalyst powder might pose.
Our Chalmette Refining powder release lawyers are currently investigating this incident. If your property was damaged as a result of the catalyst powder release, or you or a loved one are suffering from health problems you believe could be the result of the Chalmette Refining catalyst powder release, we want to hear from you today.
Our firm is offering a free lawsuit consultation to all victims of the September 6, 2010 Chalmette Refining powder release. If you and your family were impacted by this incident, we urge you to contact our Chalmette Refining powder release lawyers today.
Chalmette Refining Catalyst Powder Release
The Chalmette Refining powder release occurred around 2:00 a.m. local time on September 6, 2010. At the time, the company said an "undetermined amount" of catalyst powder - a material used in the refining process - was released. It has since been determined that at least 2,000 pounds of the powder had been released over surrounding communities as a result of the outage.
Later that morning, people in parts of Chalmette, Arabi and the Lower Ninth Ward woke up to find their neighborhoods were covered in the fine, white powder. Chalmette Refining officials maintained that the powder wasn't hazardous, and said residents could safely wash it from cars, buildings and other surfaces. According to those officials, Chalmette Refining employees handle the catalyst dust without the use of protective equipment.
However, the material safety data sheet for the substance obtained by one local TV station clearly states that catalyst can be an irritant to the eyes and skin if inhaled or ingested. The data sheet cautions people to wear rubber gloves when handling the powder, and to decontaminate clothes and shoes, or even dispose of them all together.
According to several media reports, some residents in affected towns are already complaining of respiratory problems and eye irritation. They report that the powder is being tracked into homes, and has gotten into air conditioning units. Some residents who tried to wash their cars said that the substance won't come off, even after repeated washings.
Legal Help for Victims of the Chalmette Refining Catalyst Powder Release
It could be months or even longer before the full health consequences of the Chalmette powder release are known. However, our Chalmette Refining powder release lawyers believe it is likely that the substance involved in the September 6 incident is harmful to both people and property. Our firm is taking action right now to ensure that victims of this incident receive compensation for medical monitoring, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
If you and your family were impacted by the Chalmette Refining powder release, you have valuable legal rights. We urge you to fill out our online form, or call 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to discuss your case with one of our Chalmette Refining powder release lawyers as soon as possible.
