Legal Battle Unfolds Over Handling of Refinery Incident, Allegations of Negligence and Exploitation Surface

A contentious legal dispute has emerged surrounding the handling of a petroleum coke fire at a major refinery, with accusations of negligence leading to severe repercussions for a Customs and Border Protection worker. The incident, dating back to August 2022 at the facility now known as Ocean Point Terminals, has sparked a series of legal claims and counterclaims, highlighting complex relations between the involved entities.

Nicole Wooten, a diligent worker for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, found herself amidst a hazardous situation while on duty at the refinery on August 8, 2022. Her assignment was to conduct official checks on a tugboat, but she was met with an unforeseen challenge: a dense smoke emanating from a dome-shaped structure on the premises, a site under the joint control of Ocean Point Terminals and Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation (PHRT). Unbeknownst to her, a fire involving petroleum coke had been silently burning for days.

Wooten’s ordeal began when, in the absence of guidance and protective gear, she was exposed to the toxic smoke. Her immediate symptoms were severe, ranging from difficulty breathing and violent coughing to acute chest pains and tremors, necessitating emergency medical intervention.

The lawsuit filed by Wooten not only names PHRT as a defendant but also implicates Ocean Point Terminals in exacerbating the situation. She alleges that Ocean Point obstructed PHRT’s efforts to address the smoldering coke pile by denying access to essential firefighting resources located on the refinery property. This alleged obstruction not only intensified the smoldering but also led to significant environmental pollution and posed serious health risks.

In a strategic legal move, PHRT has responded to Wooten’s allegations by supporting her claims against Ocean Point. PHRT contends that Ocean Point’s actions were not just obstructive but also strategically manipulative, using the crisis as leverage to settle financial disputes. According to PHRT, Ocean Point’s management ignored urgent communications for days, exacerbating the situation for financial gain.

PHRT further alleges that the interference by Ocean Point resulted in substantial financial losses, including damage to equipment and escalated costs amounting to millions. These claims are part of a broader legal battle where PHRT seeks to recover damages and argue for punitive actions against Ocean Point for their conduct during the crisis.

The unfolding legal narrative paints a complex picture of corporate relations, emergency management failures, and the quest for accountability in the aftermath of the refinery incident. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the pursuit of justice for those affected and the implementation of measures to prevent future occurrences of such hazardous incidents.