Shamrock Products Sued for Toxic Spill of Oil and Chemicals
Cole, Cole, Easley & Sciba Law Firm
VICTORIA, TEXAS (News Release) - Attorneys from the law firm Cole, Cole, Easley & Sciba have filed a lawsuit against Shamrock Products, LLC on behalf of residents of Victoria County following an oil spill at the company’s facility at the Port of Victoria on January 3, 2024.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the District Court of Victoria County, Texas, 24th Judicial District (Case: 24-01-90662-A), contends that Shamrock Products’ negligence led to the oil spill and failed to contain the toxic odorous chemicals and prevent them from entering the atmosphere. The complaint also alleges that the company failed to maintain the equipment meant to keep the toxic chemicals contained; failed to properly clean up the toxic chemicals that breached the containment; and failed to comply with emissions standards as set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
“Shamrock Products was negligent in the manner it maintained the toxic chemicals, and in properly informing residents in the vicinity of the spill of the incident in a timely manner,” said Jim Cole, a partner with Cole, Cole, Easley & Sciba and attorney representing the families. “As a result of its negligence, residents have suffered unnecessary physical, emotional, and financial harms. It’s the responsibility of any corporate citizen to protect members of the community from the dangers of their businesses, and Shamrock Products must be held accountable for its actions and inactions.”
On January 3, 2024, a valve on a petroleum storage tank at Shamrock Products’ Port of Victoria facility was damaged and spilled 300 barrels of petroleum and chemicals into an earthen containment area, exposing the toxic fumes to the atmosphere. The chemicals released included mercaptan, cracked hydrocarbons, fuel oil, and crude oil.
While the toxic chemicals in liquid state were reportedly contained in the immediate area of the spill, Shamrock Products failed to notify the public, allowing the toxic chemicals to vaporize, and be blown across nearby properties and throughout the community, causing residents downwind from the facility to experience severe bouts of nausea, headaches, and respiratory illnesses.
