A catastrophic explosion at a Pasadena, Texas plant has led to a significant lawsuit filed by an injured worker. On September 13, 2024, Rodrigo Diaz filed a complaint in the Harris County District Court against Ineos Americas, LLC and several other associated companies.
Rodrigo Diaz's lawsuit alleges that on March 22, 2023, he suffered severe injuries due to negligence and gross negligence by Ineos Americas, LLC; Ineos USA I Inc.; CW Transport, LLC; RLC Trucking, LLC; Red River Transport, Inc.; and EnerChem Access Ltd. According to the filing, Diaz was working near the defendants' facility when an explosion occurred during unloading operations involving liquid petroleum gases. The complaint claims that the blast caused Diaz to fall and sustain injuries to his leg, ankle, foot, and other parts of his body. Additionally, Diaz alleges that he has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety as a result of the incident.
The plaintiff's accusations are extensive. He asserts that the defendants failed in multiple areas such as adequately training their employees and contractors, providing proper supervision and equipment, maintaining a safe work environment, conducting necessary maintenance checks, and implementing effective safety protocols. Specifically citing "negligence" and "gross negligence," Diaz argues that these failures directly led to the explosion and his subsequent injuries. The complaint also highlights that EnerChem negligently entrusted hazardous materials to an inadequately trained driver/carrier.
Diaz is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $1 million for physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses (both past and future), lost earnings capacity (both past and future), disfigurement, impairment, exemplary damages for gross negligence by the defendants which he claims showed flagrant disregard for safety protocols. He also requests interest on damages (pre- and post-judgment), court costs including expert witness fees and deposition costs.
Representing Rodrigo Diaz is Scott P. Armstrong of Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-62275 in the 334th Judicial District Court of Harris County with Judge Bernitta Barrett presiding.