Valve Service Too Remote From Accident for Liability

A company's servicing and assessment of a pressure release valve at a chemical plant several years before a serious explosion was too remotely related to the disaster for it to be held liable for the resulting injuries, the Texas 14th District Court of Appeals ruled. The case was Arguelless v. Kellog Brown & Root Inc., 14-04-01022-CV, 03/27/2007. On March 27, 2000, a "terrible explosion and fire" took place at Phillips Petroleum Company's Houston Chemical Complex, leading to the death of one worker, severe injuries to several others, and more minor injuries to many others. The explosion ...