The BP Texas City refinery exploded in March of 2005, killing 15 people and injuring hundreds more. These deaths and injuries were totally unnecessary. BP had been cited repeatedly for hazardous working conditions before the March 23, 2005 explosion, but did nothing to make the unit safe. Before the deadly 2005 explosion, repeated unsafe releases and at least one prior death had called attention to the hazardous condition of the unit. BP not only ignored the obvious need to make the unit safe, but violated its own policy by siting an office trailer immediately next to the ultra-hazardous unit and not warning the occupants of the trailer that the unit was being started up. Perry & Haas represented four of the most seriously injured, and the families of two of the deceased. One of our clients — a painter — was directed to be painting in the unit during the startup in spite of standard industry practice to exclude all non-essential personnel from a unit during start up. At the time of the explosion, he was engulfed in flames, suffering excruciating pain and massive 3d degree burns, with permanent disability to work or care for himself. Another of our clients — a journeyman electrician -- suffered burns and multiple fractures resulting in effective loss of use of both feet and his right hand. He will never be able to work or care for himself in the future. Another client suffered head injuries and inhalation burns to her lungs when she was engulfed by falling debris and rendered unconscious. She was rescued by her husband. After more than three of months of hospitalization she was able to begin rehabilitation, but will never be able to resume normal activities. Another client — an electrical foreman — suffered head injuries and massive damage to his jaw when struck by flying debris, as well as injuries to one arm and leg. He will never be able to return to work or to normal family activities. We also represented the families of two of the deceased. One — a manager of an outside contractor working in the area -- was killed when the office trailer was impacted and collapsed during the explosion while a managerial meeting was being held in the trailer. The other, a records keeper in the office, was killed and burn to the point that her fiancee, who was working nearby, was unable to recognize her in the aftermath of the explosion. BP was the subject of criminal charges brought by the FBI and also the EPA because of chemical pollutants that were released during the explosion.