Family claims maintenance task was dangerous and improperly managed.
HOUSTON, Texas — The family of a contractor killed in a February accident at a southeast Houston chemical plant has filed a lawsuit alleging the company required him to perform an unsafe task that led to his death.
Garrick Newell, 28, died after being struck by a large piece of equipment that became airborne during maintenance work at the facility. The lawsuit claims the incident was preventable and accuses the plant operator of failing to maintain equipment and enforce proper safety procedures, placing workers at risk.
According to attorneys representing the family, Newell was working on Feb. 7 when he was directed to assist in removing a bellhead from a boilermaker. The component, weighing more than 1,000 pounds, unexpectedly broke loose during the operation. It traveled an estimated 15 feet before striking Newell, causing fatal injuries. Attorney Scott Armstrong said that operations of this type require careful planning and supervision, adding that “nothing happens at these plants without the authority and permission of the operator.”
The lawsuit alleges that the task itself was inherently dangerous and should not have been carried out under the conditions present that day. It also claims that the company failed to properly inspect and maintain the equipment involved, which may have contributed to the failure. Lawyers say they conducted an independent site investigation after the incident and are using those findings to support their claims in court.
The plant is owned by TPC Group, a petrochemical company that has faced scrutiny in the past over safety issues. A 2019 explosion at one of its facilities in Port Neches caused significant damage and forced evacuations, drawing federal attention to the company’s safety systems. Investigators later cited gaps in hazard identification and emergency management, findings that attorneys in the current case say highlight ongoing concerns.
Industrial accidents involving heavy equipment are often complex, involving multiple layers of responsibility between plant operators, contractors, and equipment providers. In this case, the lawsuit focuses on the role of the operator in directing the work and ensuring that all safety measures were followed. Attorneys argue that the company’s control over the job site makes it responsible for the conditions that led to the incident.
TPC Group has not publicly responded to the allegations and has declined to comment while the case is pending. No formal defense filings had been made as of the latest update. It is also unclear whether state or federal safety agencies have opened a separate investigation into the incident.
Newell’s family says he regularly traveled for work and spent extended periods away from home, a common reality for contractors in the petrochemical industry. He is survived by his wife and two children, who are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Attorneys say the legal action seeks accountability and damages tied to lost income, emotional suffering, and other impacts.
The case is expected to move through preliminary legal stages in the coming months, including discovery and potential hearings. As more details are disclosed, the lawsuit may provide further insight into what happened at the plant and whether safety protocols were followed.
Author note: Last updated April 17, 2026.