Maison Law helps contract workers and their families find answers and get the support they need after an injury at a California oil refinery. Working at Kern Oil and Refining isn’t like most jobs–and as a contract worker, you face the same hazards as everybody else, without the added safety net of workers’ comp. Our team can guide you through the claims process, though. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Refinery Accident?
A refinery accident doesn’t just leave you with injuries—it leaves you with a mess of paperwork, phone calls, and stress. Our team’s role is to take that weight off your shoulders. At Maison Law, we help by:
- Explaining your options in plain language.
- Investigating the accident to figure out who’s liable.
- Collecting the evidence and records needed to back your claim.
- Handling all communication with insurers.
- Representing you in negotiations or in court if necessary.
Most importantly, we give you the space to focus on getting better, while we focus on making sure you aren’t left with the financial fallout.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Injuries in a Refinery Accident?
An accident at work for Kern Oil and Refining can impact anyone, from contractors to full time employees. But the difference is that when it happens to you as a contractor, you don’t have the safety net of workers’ comp benefits, which allow you to simply file a claim and not prove fault.
Consequently, you’ll have to file a civil claim if you want to get financial support–and that requires proving liability. But how, exactly, do you do that? It depends on what actually happened, but generally, it means showing that someone (or a group of people) was negligent and that caused the accident and your injuries. In real-world terms, this can fall on:
- Kern Oil and Refining – As the refinery operator, they’re responsible for making sure the work environment is reasonably safe.
- Supervisors or managers – If they cut corners on safety rules or pushed crews to work in unsafe conditions, they could share blame.
- Your staffing agency or contracting company – They’re supposed to train and prepare you for the job. If they failed, they may hold responsibility.
- Other contractors on-site – Mistakes made by different crews often affect everyone around them.
- Equipment manufacturers – Defective tools, machinery, or safety gear can create serious risks.
- Inspectors and regulators – In rare cases, government or third-party inspectors who missed obvious hazards may play a role.
This legal responsibility in a refinery accident is rarely clear from the start. Usually, it takes digging into records, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing safety practices to figure out exactly where things went wrong. That’s what our team can provide, and that’s what you’ll need to move forward with a claim.
What Options Do I Have For Filing a Claim After a Refinery Injury?
Knowing what your options are as a contract worker is one thing, but actually filing a claim and getting financial support brings its own set of challenges. Even after you nail down liability, you still have to go up against a large company–either Kern or their insurance company. But with the law on your side, you have options, including:
- Filing an insurance claim – This is often the fastest route, but insurers are trained to limit payouts.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit – This process can take longer but gives you the chance to recover the full extent of your losses, decided by a jury if necessary.
Whichever path you take, the goal is to recover damages—the legal term for financial support tied to your losses. These might include:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages or future income if you can’t return to the same work
- Repair costs for damaged equipment, clothing, or any other personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. That may sound like plenty of time, but in reality, the strongest cases are built early while evidence is still available and memories are fresh.
What Evidence Can Strengthen My Injury Claim?
While evidence is important in any injury claim, it takes on added significance when you’re a contractor that’s been injured on the job at a Kern refinery. Basically, you have to show what happened, who caused it, and who was responsible. That’s easier said than done with so many different moving parts, but generally, here’s what you can gather to strengthen your claim:
- Incident reports – Whether filed by Kern Oil or your employer, these provide a clear record of what was reported.
- Supervisor and contractor names – Knowing who was in charge that day can help establish responsibility.
- Medical records – Every diagnosis and treatment note connects your injury to the accident.
- Witness details – Co-workers or other contractors who saw what happened can back up your side of the story.
- Photos or videos – Images of the scene or your injuries can sometimes show what words can’t.
- Pay records – Timesheets and pay stubs help document your lost wages, as well as who you actually work for.
- Messages and emails – Communications with supervisors or staffing agencies can show how the accident was handled.
Even if you don’t have everything, that doesn’t mean your case is weak. An attorney can track down missing records and witness statements—you just need to save what you can and act quickly before details disappear.
What If My Family Member Was Killed in a Refinery Accident?
Sadly, some refinery accidents at Kern Oil are fatal. Families not only lose a loved one but often the financial support that person provided. California law allows families to bring a wrongful death claim, which may include funeral costs, medical bills, lost future income, and the loss of companionship.
These cases are difficult on both an emotional and legal level. Still, they exist to give families some measure of stability in the face of sudden, devastating loss.
Why Do Accidents Happen So Often at Refineries Like Kern Oil?
A refinery is one of the most hazardous workplaces in California–whether you’re a contractor or anybody else. It doesn’t change the risks and hazards you face, particularly when negligence is involved. But that doesn’t exactly give you the full story on how and why accidents happen in these workplaces, or what they involve. So, in order to fully understand what you’re up against, here’s a look at some of the more common accidents that happen at refineries like Kern:
- Falls from scaffolds or catwalks, which leave no room for error.
- Explosions and fires from a small spark or chemical leak.
- Slips and trips on oil, debris, or cluttered walkways can.
- Exposure to toxic fumes and hazardous materials that cause both sudden and lasting harm.
- Heavy equipment accidents, with equipment, cranes, and trucks constantly moving through tight spaces.
- Defective safety gear, like a broken harness or respirator, can make a dangerous job deadly.
No matter what kind of accident or what the underlying cause was, you have the right to file a claim. But it takes the right information and the right team behind you. That’s when you can turn to our team at Maison Law.
Turn to Maison Law For Help After an Accident at Kern Oil and Refining in California
Most refinery accidents don’t come down to one mistake. They’re usually the result of several problems—rushed schedules, ignored safety checks, or equipment that wasn’t maintained properly. And because so many contractors work side by side, sorting out liability takes careful investigation. All of this can seem impossible if you’re trying to do it by yourself. Our team at Maison Law will guide you through the claims process and make sure you have the support you need to get back on your feet. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
