A dramatic incident at a chemical plant has led to a lawsuit that could have significant implications for workplace safety standards. On December 12, 2024, Maximino Carrillo filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas against Solvay Chemicals, Inc., Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, L.L.C., and Solvay America, Inc. The case arises from an incident where Carrillo suffered severe injuries due to alleged negligence at the defendants' plant.
According to the complaint, on June 20, 2024, Carrillo was working on scaffolding at the Solvay Defendants’ plant in Orange County, Texas when he was attacked by wasps. Despite reporting the issue to his supervisors and being assured that it had been resolved during his lunch break, Carrillo was swarmed again upon returning to work. In his attempt to escape the attack, he became entangled in his safety harness and inadvertently opened a valve that sprayed him with concentrated chemical steam. This incident resulted in severe burns requiring extensive medical treatment.
Carrillo alleges that the valve should have been sealed and locked out but was not properly maintained or labeled as active. He accuses the defendants of failing to perform operations safely and neglecting necessary warnings about potential hazards. The lawsuit claims that these failures demonstrate a reckless disregard for safety standards and contributed directly to Carrillo's injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $1 million for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and other related costs. Additionally, Carrillo is pursuing exemplary damages due to what he describes as gross negligence on the part of Solvay Defendants. The lawsuit emphasizes the defendants' duty of care towards their employees and asserts that this duty was breached through multiple acts of negligence.
Represented by attorneys W. Lamar DeLong and Misha J. Paltiyevich from Zehl & Associates PC in Houston, Texas, Carrillo demands a jury trial to determine appropriate compensation for his injuries. The case is being heard under Judge Marilyn Burgess in Harris County's 189th Judicial District Court with Case ID 2024-86375.