Industrial Injuries at Flint Hills East / West Refinery

Flint Hills Resources operates three refineries, two of which are located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Flint Hills East and West refineries are approximately eight miles apart and are connected to one another, along with the company’s crude oil terminal in Ingleside, Texas. These refineries produce significant amounts of jet fuel, low-sulfur gasoline, and diesel that are distributed across the Midwest, Texas and the Southeast. These refineries also create propane and butane for heating houses, fertilizer for crops, and asphalt for construction projects.

While these refineries do produce a significant amount of products for use across the country, there is an ever-present risk of industrial accidents, fires, and explosions. Industrial injuries at the Flint Hills East or West Refinery can change a person’s life in moments. If you are harmed in an industrial accident, hire a local Corpus Christi plant explosion attorney ready to fight for you to get the best possible results.

Accidents Can Happen at the Flint Hills East & West Refineries

Accidents have happened in the past at both the West and East Flint Hills refineries. For example, two contractors suffered injuries when they were struck by a beam inside the refinery while working in a confined space in January of 2026. Another accident happened in March of 2024 when a refinery fire broke out. Numerous fires and explosions have happened here for years, including one dating to 2018.

Local residents around the Flint Hills East Refinery have alleged that they were exposed to harmful chemicals, such as benzene, due to the facility’s operations. In 2021, five Texas refineries reported average benzene emissions above the federal threshold of 9 micrograms per cubic meter. The Flint Hills East Refinery was one of those five facilities, reporting an average measurement of 10.4 micrograms per cubic meter. The other Texas refineries reporting excessive benzene emissions were Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery, TotalEnergies’ Port Arthur refinery, Chevron’s Pasadena refinery, and LyondellBasell’s Houston refinery.

Common Industrial Injuries at the Flint Hills East & West Refineries

When industrial injuries at either one of the Flint Hills facilities happen to you, seek medical care immediately. Then, report the incident to your employer before contacting our refinery accident lawyer. The following are some of the most common industrial injuries suffered at this and other refineries:

• Burns: The most common type of injury at a refinery is a burn, often catastrophic burns that cause second, third, and even fourth-degree burns. These happen as a result of flash fires, electrical incidents, or chemical-related events.
• Respiratory damage: Some respiratory injuries occur instantly due to a high dose of exposure to chemicals or toxins. Others develop over time as chemical exposure continues for years. Toxic fumes, often from hazardous chemical vapors and smoke, can shorten a person’s life.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Explosions create incredible risks of fire but also injuries to the head and brain from the sheer force of shockwave blasts. In addition, falling debris or falls from heights can also contribute to head injuries.
• Crushing accidents: Victims caught in heavy equipment or caught between pieces of equipment may suffer complex crushing injuries that damage bones, muscles, and organs.
• Spinal cord injuries: Falls are a common reason for spinal cord injuries. Others happen as a result of crushing injuries. Some people suffer paralysis from these accidents, struggling for the rest of their lives with limited or full loss of mobility.

Industrial injuries at the Flint Hills East or West Refineries can happen at any moment. They can occur to workers on the job, visitors to the location, and third-party contractors. Every party that suffers an injury deserves an advocate to help them build a strong claim.

Let Our Industrial Injury Attorney in Texas Help You

Turn to our industrial injuries attorney to learn more about your rights. Industrial injuries at the Flint Hills East and West Refineries may have changed your physical and mental health, but we will fight for you through a comprehensive legal claim. Contact The Doan Law Firm now for a free consultation to review your needs.