Toxic gas from Exxon’s Chalmette, Louisiana refinery made a plaintiff deaf in one ear, according to his complaint filed in federal court. The plaintiff worked as a towboat captain, and he alleges that while transporting barges this past January, he smelled sulfur from the plant and collapsed. He filed suit against his employer for not providing him with the proper equipment to defend against the harmful gas.
The smell of the toxic gas made him dizzy and he experienced nausea and eye pain. He subsequently suffered a total loss of hearing in his right ear and suffers from a loss of balance and ringing in the ears, according to his complaint. He claims that the Exxon refinery has a history of releasing toxic chemicals, and his employer should have provided him with a respirator and a chemical-release detection system.
Exxon’s Chalmette refinery is no stranger to harmful chemical incidents. Last October, a worker at the plant died after inhaling sulfur gas while fixing a pipeline leak. The plaintiff says his employer knew of Exxon’s history and did not take proper safeguards to protect him.
In addition, the plaintiff says the U.S. Coast Guard will probably not renew his pilot’s license due to his deafness and loss of balance.
Contact a New Orleans injury attorney if you suffer injuries from toxic chemicals or harmful gas emissions. Harrell and Nowak’s attorney’s have successfully handled many complex scientific and medical cases, including being appointed by the court to represent a neighborhood of over 10,000 people in a toxic dust exposure case. Our Louisiana environmental lawyers are ready to provide a free and informative case review about your rights.