The City of West, Texas will remember the fertilizer plant explosion that took 14 lives last year. Mayor Tommy Muska selected a Blue Ribbon Committee to plan the program, which will include a moment of silence exactly one year after the explosion at 7:51am, April 17, 2014. The program will be called "4-17 Forever Forward."

Remembering the West Fertilizer Plant Explosion

Nearly one year ago, a deadly plant explosion destroyed a nearby fertilizer plant, rocking the small town and taking 14 lives. An estimated 150 additional people suffered injuries and the city was devastated by extensive property damage. A Dallas fire rescue chief was among those killed in the accident.

Texas Attorney General Ray Abbot stated in a press conference only hours after the explosion that, "Literally in an instant, these families have been ripped apart…These lives in this community will be put back together."

One month later, authorities and investigators stated that they could not determine the exact cause of the explosion, but a series of series of inspections from The Environmental Protection Agency suggested that the plant had a history of safety violations. In 2006, an investigation revealed that the West plant failed to update its Risk Management Plan (RMP), failed to document hazards, and failed to identify and review potential problems.

Additional safety problems included poor employee training and no formal maintenance program. As a result, the company was fined $2,300.

Compensation for Industrial Accidents

At The Daspit Law Firm, we believe that victims of serious industrial accidents and plant explosions are entitled to compensation for their suffering, pain, medical expenses, and more. If you suffered an injury or the loss of a loved one in an industrial disaster, The Daspit Law Firm is here to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Our lead attorney, John Daspit, has extensive experience handling high-profile cases, so call our office now and schedule your free case evaluation.