Martinez Refinery Fire Lawsuits
Standing Up for Martinez Residents After the Refinery Fire
Carpenter & Zuckerman is investigating potential claims for Martinez residents and families exposed to smoke and emissions from the February 2025 fire at the PBF Energy refinery.
An independent investigation found the fire was preventable, tracing it to human error and a lack of supervision during routine work, and it was the third major incident at the refinery in five years.
If the fire affected your health, your home, or your livelihood, our award-winning team at Carpenter & Zuckerman can help. We’ve recovered over $3 billion in compensation against major corporations, and have the experience and resources to take on the toughest cases.
If you have questions about a potential Martinez refinery fire claim, call (888) 484-2033 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
What Caused the Martinez Refinery Fire
The fire broke out on February 1, 2025, at the Martinez Refining Company facility, owned by PBF Energy, and burned for days as crews worked to bring it under control. County officials issued a shelter-in-place order for surrounding neighborhoods as smoke rose over the area.
An independent investigation commissioned by Contra Costa County later concluded the fire was preventable. Investigators found that contract workers loosened bolts on a flange full of hot hydrocarbons during a routine operation and pointed to worker inexperience and inadequate supervision as root causes. The two-month shutdown that followed disrupted fuel production across much of the state.
A Pattern of Incidents Since 2020
The February fire was not the first time this refinery has put the surrounding community at risk. Since PBF Energy purchased the facility in 2020, Martinez has seen a string of troubling incidents. In November 2022, a release coated nearby neighborhoods in a fine layer of spent catalyst dust. A similar release the following year led Contra Costa County to take civil action and prompted a lawsuit from residents.
Many longtime residents say these problems began only after the refinery changed hands. A record like this raises serious questions about how the facility has been run and whether enough has been done to keep the people nearby safe.
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Health Effects of Refinery Smoke and Chemical Exposure
Smoke and emissions from a refinery fire can carry fine particulates and a mix of hazardous chemicals deep into the surrounding community. People exposed often report burning eyes, sore throats, coughing, headaches, nausea, and trouble breathing, with the heaviest toll falling on children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or another respiratory condition. Some effects appear quickly, while others tied to heavier or repeated exposure can take longer to surface. Even residents who felt only mildly affected at the time may have reason to document what they went through.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Primary responsibility rests with PBF Energy and the Martinez Refining Company, which own and operate the facility and are obligated to run it safely. Because the investigation pointed to inadequate supervision of contract workers, the contractors involved in the work may share liability as well. A company cannot escape responsibility simply by pointing to the contractors it hired and failed to oversee. We investigate every potentially responsible party so that no source of recovery is overlooked.
How We Can Help
Depending on how the fire affected you, more than one type of claim may apply. We can help you pursue:
- Negligence claims against the refinery and any contractors whose careless work or poor supervision caused the fire
- Nuisance claims for emissions that interfered with your health and the use of your home
- Personal injury claims for the physical and emotional harm of chemical exposure
- Property claims for soot, contamination, and cleanup costs
- Business losses for income lost while operations were disrupted
Do I Have a Claim?
You do not need to know exactly how you were affected to find out whether you have a claim. It is worth reaching out if:
- You live, work, or own property in Martinez or a neighborhood that fell under the shelter-in-place order
- You experienced symptoms such as coughing, headaches, nausea, or irritated eyes and throat during or after the fire
- Smoke, soot, or residue reached your home, vehicle, or business
- You lost income or had to close your business during the shutdown or shelter-in-place
- You are concerned about what longer-term exposure may mean for your family
Even if you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, contact us for a free review.
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