Wuilmer Gavigia Killed In Hampshire Chemical Explosion Accident At W. R. Meadows Building Materials Plant

Wrongful Death - January 22, 2022

Wuilmer Gavigia, of Algonquin, Died In A Chemical Explosion Accident At W. R. Meadows Plant In Hampshire, Illinois

Wuilmer Gavigia Killed In Hampshire Chemical Explosion Accident At W. R. Meadows Building Materials Plant

HAMPSHIRE, ILLINOIS (January 22, 2022) – A worker identified as Wuilmer Gavigia died in a chemical explosion accident at the W. R. Meadows building materials plant.

Kane County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:45 a.m. on Friday. Two employees were cleaning the inside of a tank when there was a sudden explosion.

Wuilmer Gavigia and another worker were critically injured in the blast. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victims.

Despite lifesaving measures Wuilmer Gavigia died as a result of his injuries. Another worker was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Kane County coroner office will be conducting an autopsy in the coming days. It remains unclear what chemicals were involved in the Hampshire explosion.

Liability In Hampshire Chemical Explosion Accidents

Explosions are a common cause of serious injury and death in the workplace. On average, around 5,000 workers are injured in explosions every year. While a workplace explosion can occur in any industry, there are several industries where workers face a higher risk of being involved in an explosion. This includes the construction industry, chemical plants, manufacturing plants, mining operations, and the oil and gas industry. There are a number of factors that could contribute to a workplace explosion including:

  • Gas leaks
  • Unsafe working conditions
  • Electrical hazards
  • Chemical reactions

Chemical explosions are a unique hazard. They are fundamentally different from other types of explosions. Most explosions take place when an accelerant comes into contact with an ignition source. Chemical explosions are due to decomposition or combination reactions that produce extremely hot gas very quickly. Only a trained professional should ever mix two chemicals together. Workers are protected by a number of laws if they are injured on the job.

Illinois has a no-fault worker compensation law. When a worker is injured or killed on the job, they or their family will typically have recourse through a worker’s compensation claim – regardless of fault. Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be third party negligence for a workplace explosion. Third party negligence occurs when an entity aside from a worker’s employer contributes to an explosion.

The fact of the matter is that there are many steps that can be taken in order to reduce the likelihood of chemical explosions. All workers should be properly trained to recognize hazards in the workplace. There should be strict workplace protocols to ensure that random chemicals are never mixed by untrained professionals. Chemicals should all be safely and securely stored when they are not in use. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any workplace accident.

  • The cause of any explosion should be determined.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • A thorough investigation should be conducted.

The family of any worker that is killed on the job may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Damages can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that come with the sudden loss of a love one. Sadly, though, companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any workplace explosion. A Kane County personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and get to the bottom of what may have caused an accident.

Investigating A Hampshire Chemical Explosion Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Wuilmer Gavigia. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to help prevent additional tragedies like this. Worker safety should always be the number one priority for any company.

Do you need more information about a Hampshire chemical explosion accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that companies are doing everything in their power to protect workers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.