Alleged Release of Toxins at BP Texas City Refinery

Six workers at the BP Plant in Texas City filed suit last month in the 212th Judicial District Court of Galveston County, Texas against BP Products North America, Inc., attempting to capitalize on the city’s nickname – “Toxic City”. The lawsuit, styled Booker v. BP Products N. America, Inc., Cause No. 08CV0569, alleges the plaintiffs have suffered from painful, severe, and permanent injuries that were caused by exposure to toxic substances released at the refinery. Plaintiffs allege that more than 100 workers at the plant were sent to the hospital on April 10 and April 19, 2007 for treatment and decontamination after unidentified toxic substances were released into the air. Plaintiffs’ counsel claims that although many more workers at the refinery are experiencing symptoms similar to the plaintiffs’, they have chosen not to file suit and certify a class at this time because they fear retaliation from their employer, BP. Plaintiffs assert negligence and argue that in the absence of BP’s negligence, these incidences would not have occurred (thereby invoking the doctrine of Res Ipsa Loquitor). Plaintiffs further allege malice and seek exemplary damages, suggesting BP has repetitively had safety problems which they try to conceal each time there is a mishap

BP denies any negligence and asserts that there is no evidence of a leak of any kind that would have lead to the release of toxic substances. BP is confident that the alleged personal injuries, if any, are not due to a leak of any kind at the refinery.

As of the date of this publication, a trial date has not been scheduled.