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VALVE FAILURE


Reviewing Valve Failure Accidents & Industrial Injury Cases for plaintiffs Nationwide
Nationwide Success

Industrial Valve Failure Lawsuits

Industrial valve failures and accidents involving faulty valves can lead to catastrophic worker injury and wrongful workplace deaths. Industrial explosions and fires are often caused by valve failure, and the majority of valve accidents are caused by with defective valves or human errors.

The Lyon Firm works with industry experts and OSHA officials in the fields of manufacturing, oil and gas, fracking, food production, and agriculture to determine the root cause of workplace accidents. Each individual industrial accident will require an investigation before a personal injury lawsuit can be filed.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Industrial Accident Attorney representing victims of valve failure injury and workplace accidents.

Valve Failure Accidents

High-pressure valves are particular hazardous if they not designed properly. A high pressure valve can regulate the flow of gases or liquids, and are used in refineries, factories, paper and pulp facilities, oil and gas sites, and water treatment plants.

In every heavy industry, valve systems must be safety designed and maintained regularly. Small errors in industrial settings can lead to serious accidents. The Lyon Firm has seen industrial accidents caused by a myriad of safety violations, negligent management, and other preventable workplace issues, including:

  • Faulty Valves
  • Wrong valve used for specific applications
  • Improper pressure valve PSI
  • Wrong sized valve
  • Poor access to safety release mechanisms
  • Poor valve maintenance
  • Supervisor miscommunication
  • Operator errors
  • Lack of worker training

Defective Valve Accidents

Up to 70 percent of accidents in the oil and gas industry are attributed to preventable human errors, which can be caused by worker fatigue, lack of training and management creating unsafe working conditions.

Other industrial accidents, like the BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010, were caused by defective components-in that case a faulty valve called a blowout preventer.

In many reported valve accidents, the valve was wrongly selected, and did not meet the proper requirements of the application. Poor engineering and management can lead to industrial worker injury.

In every industry, the best way to prevent valve failure is to select the right valve for the given application and working conditions. After installation, all equipment must be inspected regularly to ensure the safety of the workplace.

Valves have been installed upside down or facing the wrong direction. There should be the proper distance from a pipe elbow to a valve. Seals must be inspected and maintained as well. Management should be looking for the following:

  • Temperatures and pressures within operating parameters
  • Unexpected pressure spikes
  • Foreign materials in a pipeline
  • Material incompatibility
  • Incorrect assembly

Industrial Accident Lawsuits

If there are valve failures and workplace safety issues related to valve failure, management must correct the problem before workers are endangered. Pipelines may have be dissembled and repaired.

A valve may need to be replaced, even if an entire system must be shut down for a day or longer. Management may gamble with poor maintenance procedures to save time and money, but that only makes a valve accident more likely.

With the advent of digital valve technology and control systems software, management is tasked with operating both hardware and technology in a safe manner. The technology can make a job more efficient, though employees cannot completely rely on only the digital readings. Manual supervision is still encouraged to prevent valve failures.

Digital valve technology allows employers to detect issues faster, though some have been criticized for placing too much reliance on the technology. Employers have been warned by safety agencies against merely “screen-reading” in control rooms, which may not tell the whole story of a system failure issue.

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

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A Voice for Those who have suffered

Why are these cases important?

Serious injuries and accidents often result through no fault of the injured party, yet the injured victim suffers from life altering physical, mental and financial losses. Such economic and human losses can have devastating financial consequences on individuals and families if not properly compensated. Tort law allows those individuals to seek just legal recourse through personal injury lawsuits.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Questions about Valve Failure Cases

Why do industrial valves fail?

Industrial valve failure may be caused by distortion of the valve seat, deposits on the valve, erosion, heat fatigue, pitting, breaks, and with wear. Old valves must be replaced to create a safe work environment. 

Can Valve Failure be grounds for a lawsuit?

Each year, industrial accidents generate millions in settlements and verdicts for victims. Product liability issues cannot be discounted. In many past incidents, industrial equipment has been found to be inherently flawed. If machinery is found to have a faulty design or missing safety components, victims and their attorneys can file suit against large industrial manufacturers.

The legal options will depend on what caused the industrial accident and injury. Industrial accident injuries are usually permanent and should be addressed by a lawyer qualified in complex personal injury matters. Mr. Lyon has successfully litigated numerous industrial injury cases and obtained settlements for workers, over and beyond their workers comp.

What is an Arc Flash Injury?

Arc flash accidents are an electrical occurrence when an electrical current deviates from its designated path and travels to another conductor. If a worker is hit by an arc flash or is even near one, they are likely to suffer severe electrical injury.

Anything from dropping a tool to faulty wiring can cause an arc flash accident. Poorly maintained materials or electrical systems can lead to arc flash incidents. An electric shock, burns, fires and damage is likely following an arc flash. Employers are urged to protect workers from arc flash injury, with the following prevention methods:

  • De-energize electrical circuits while working
  • Use proper insulation and guarding
  • Provide workers with work barricades
  • Install adequate ground fault circuit interrupters
  • Provide workers with personal safety equipment
  • Place warning labels regarding arc flash hazards
Why should I hire The Lyon Firm?

Our Firm will help you find the answers. The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered. 

Experience: Joe Lyon is an experienced Industrial Accident Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 17 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Industrial accident lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.

Resources/Dedication: Mr. Lyon has worked with experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, biomechanics, epidemiology, metallurgy, pharmacology, toxicology, human factors, workplace safety, life care planning, economics, and virtually every medical discipline in successfully representing Plaintiffs across numerous areas of law. The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests.