Orange resident Shane Ponder is suing the Premcor Refinery Group for injuries he received when hot oil sprayed him the face at the Port Arthur Valero refinery.
The suit was filed Dec. 9 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Sept. 19, Ponder, a Leak Sealers employee, was repairing a flange that was leaking hot slurry oil at the Valero refinery.
Upon instruction, Ponder opened an injection valve and was immediately sprayed in the face with hot slurry oil mixed with leak sealant, suffering first and second degree burns to his face and left arm.
The suit alleges the defendants negligently failed to de-pressurize the line prior to authorizing the work.
The plaintiff is suing for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.
Attorney David Dies of the Orange law firm Dies & Parkhurst represents him.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. A191-450