Bernsen Firm Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Fatal Port Arthur LNG Accident
Jefferson County, Texas — In the wake of a catastrophic workplace accident at the Port Arthur LNG construction site, The Bernsen Law Firm has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of one of the victims’ families, marking a pivotal moment in the legal and community response to the tragic incident. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of three workers and has sent shockwaves through Southeast Texas, where industrial accidents are a grim yet familiar concern.
According to officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the three men who lost their lives in the accident have been identified as Felix Jose Lopez, 42, of Pearland; Felipe Mendez, 25, of Houston; and Reginald Magee, 41, also of Houston. All three men were part of a contracted work crew engaged in ongoing construction at the massive liquefied natural gas terminal operated by Sempra Infrastructure, a key player in the U.S. energy export market.
Preliminary reports indicate the men were working on or near a scaffold structure when it collapsed without warning. Emergency responders were dispatched to the site, but tragically, the three men were pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were injured and received on-site medical attention or were transported to nearby hospitals. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the incident, and work at the affected part of the site has been suspended pending further review.
The Bernsen Law Firm, based in Beaumont and known for its litigation on behalf of injured workers and victims of industrial negligence, has now filed the first wrongful death lawsuit in response to the incident. The suit alleges gross negligence on the part of the construction contractors and site supervisors, citing inadequate safety protocols, poor structural oversight, and a failure to heed known hazards associated with elevated scaffolding work in an active industrial zone.
“This was not just an accident—it was a preventable tragedy,” said attorney David Bernsen in a public statement. “We owe it to the families of these men, and to every worker who sets foot on a job site, to hold those responsible accountable. These men deserved to come home to their families. Instead, they lost their lives due to what appears to be clear and systemic safety failures.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the family of Felix Jose Lopez, and according to the firm, additional suits may follow in the coming days as other families seek justice for their loved ones. The complaint names several contractors and subcontractors involved in the site’s scaffolding operations, though the firm indicated more defendants may be added as facts emerge.
Community leaders and labor advocates have expressed outrage and sorrow over the loss of life. “We are heartbroken for these families,” said Maria Escobar, a spokesperson for the Southeast Texas Labor Council. “We’ve been raising concerns about safety oversight in our refineries and LNG plants for years. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger regulation and accountability in our region’s most dangerous industries.”
The Port Arthur LNG project, billed as a multi-billion-dollar cornerstone in America’s push for global energy dominance, has drawn scrutiny in the past from environmental groups and labor unions concerned about both safety and long-term sustainability. Tuesday’s accident may now become a turning point in public discourse about worker protections in large-scale industrial construction.
Meanwhile, the families of Lopez, Mendez, and Magee are left to mourn their unimaginable loss. All three men were described by loved ones as hardworking, dedicated providers who took pride in their work and their role in building a better future for their families. Memorials and vigils are being planned in their hometowns, with community members coming together in grief and solidarity.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and OSHA continue to gather evidence, and findings from the investigation could play a significant role in the legal outcomes of the civil cases. While the legal system begins to sort through the facts and liabilities, one truth remains painfully clear: three lives were lost, and a community has been forever changed.
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