A chemical terminal fire ignited when a circulation pump leaked during the blending of butane into naphtha, leading to a multi-day incident and a dispute over emergency response costs. Baker & O'Brien reviewed the preventive maintenance procedures, incident preparation and planning, emergency response procedures, emergency drills, and pre-incident contracts with third-party responders. We presented our opinions about the reasonableness of the response costs in an expert report and testified in a deposition before the matter was settled in mediation.

Introduction: During the shipyard repair of a towboat, gas in a forward hold ignited and exploded, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. We identified the responsibilities for the incident on this multi-employer worksite by reviewing the applicable OSHA Shipyard Industry Standards and the shipyard procedures for ensuring the spaces on the vessel remained safe. Our opinions were presented in an expert report and in deposition testimony.

Introduction: A contractor suffered thermal burns while hydroblasting near an open and assumed-isolated vessel in a petrochemical facility. To determine the cause of the incident, consequences, and the responsibilities of the involved parties, Baker & O’Brien visited the site, reviewed the equipment diagrams, procedures, permits, and isolation plans. We issued an expert report that the parties used to negotiate a settlement.