ConocoPhillips sued after steam line explosion

ConocoPhillips, headquartered in Memorial, is being sued regarding claims an employee was injured when a steam line exploded in its Borger-area facility.

Idis Micheale Niemann filed a lawsuit Tuesday, July 10 in the Harris County District Court against ConocoPhillips, and others, citing negligence.

Niemann says on July 31, 2010, she sustained permanent and disabling injuries when a steam line exploded inside the defendant's Borger facility. The explosion occurred because the defendant failed to maintain a safe workplace, inspect its equipment and formulate a safe evacuation plan, among other things, according to the court brief.

Niemann is seeking damages and court costs. She is being represented in the case by Texas City attorney Russell Burwell III.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2012-39261.
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.