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$38 Million Donated to Benefit Worthy Causes

In March of 2005, an explosion at the Texas City refinery of British Petroleum (BP) killed 15 workers and injured many others. The deaths were eventually linked to the unsafe proximity of the contract workers' housing to the site of the explosion. Based upon these findings, attorney Brent Coon and his client Eva Rowe, whose parents were killed in the explosion, filed suit against BP.

While BP settled many other lawsuits that were subsequently filed, they refused to declassify documents that would have exposed the negligent actions that caused the accident. But Coon and Rowe stood firm, insisting that any settlement include public disclosure of these documents.

Despite the tragic loss of Rowe's parents and the ensuing fight with a determined titan of the powerful oil industry, their crusade ultimately proved to be worthwhile.

As part of the settlement with BP, the company was required to declassify millions of documents, which brought to light the substandard working and living conditions petrochemical workers were compelled to endure at BP's Texas City refinery. Coon and Rowe also succeeded in convincing BP to dedicate several million dollars to safety training for oil workers, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In addition, the settlement included approximately $38 million in donations to benefit other worthy causes.

In the end, BP agreed to declassify the documents in question and contribute millions of dollars to prevent future incidents and benefit worthy causes. The lives of countless workers were saved thanks to the efforts of Coon and Rowe.

Brent Coon & Associates

Founded in 2001, Brent Coon & Associates is now one of the largest and most successful trial law firms in the country. With 20 offices and 60 dedicated attorneys, the firm is a national leader in class action lawsuits and many areas of litigation, including health, personal injury, occupational and environmental law.

To contact Brent Coon & Associates or learn more about the firm, please visit their website.