Lawsuit Filed Against Pemex for Gas Release Injuries

By Erwin Seba

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Three workers have filed a lawsuit in a Texas state court in Houston against Mexico's national oil company Pemex. They claim to have sustained injuries from a hydrogen sulfide release at a Deer Park, Texas, refinery on Thursday.

On that day, two contractors lost their lives, and 35 individuals were treated for exposure to the toxic gas.

A Pemex spokesperson did not immediately provide a comment on the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs, Sergio Antonio Olvera, Jonathan Martinez, and Yoselyn Soto, were working at the refinery when the gas was released. In their lawsuit, they stated that they suffered injuries due to the leak and accused the defendants of negligence through various acts and omissions.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $1 million. The lawsuit was filed in Harris County District Court in Houston by attorney Muhammad Aziz.

Geoffrey Adkinson, a representative from Aziz's law firm, noted that one plaintiff remains bedridden, and all have suffered from vomiting and respiratory issues.

Pemex explained that the gas leak occurred during maintenance work on an amine regeneration unit and was contained within three hours. Hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of crude oil refining and can be fatal if inhaled at high concentrations.