On the morning of May 26, 2026, a massive chemical storage tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington ruptured and imploded, releasing a highly corrosive chemical mixture known as white liquor. At least one worker was killed, nine others were injured — some critically with severe chemical burns — and nine employees remained unaccounted for as of the evening of May 26, with recovery efforts hampered by the tank's continued instability and the presence of caustic chemicals on the ground.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson traveled to Longview and activated the Washington National Guard to assist with search, recovery, and air quality monitoring. Families gathered at a vigil at R.A. Long Park as emergency crews continued working through the night.
This was not an unforeseeable accident. Records show that Nippon Dynawave had faced repeated safety complaints and regulatory violations in the years before this disaster — and the facility had already experienced multiple fires. The company, a subsidiary of Nippon Paper Group of Japan, employs approximately 1,000 workers at this site.
If you or a family member was injured in the Nippon Dynawave explosion, or if you lost a loved one, you may have the right to significant compensation beyond workers' compensation. Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC is investigating wrongful death and serious injury claims arising from this disaster. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki holds a degree in Chemical Engineering — giving the firm a rare technical understanding of industrial chemical accidents, tank failure, and the injuries caused by caustic chemical exposure that most personal injury attorneys do not have.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Time limits apply — do not wait.
What Happened at the Nippon Dynawave Facility?
The tank rupture occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility at 3401 Industrial Way in Longview, Washington — a kraft pulp and paper mill that has operated on the site since 1953. The facility produces approximately 280,000 tons of bleached liquid packaging paperboard and pulp each year, and its materials are used in tissue products, printing paper, cups, plates, milk cartons, and food packaging.
The tank that failed had a capacity of approximately 80,000 gallons and was around 60% full at the time of the incident, holding white liquor — a highly corrosive alkaline chemical solution used in the paper-making process containing sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.
Authorities described the structural collapse as an implosion — the tank walls buckled inward — releasing the contents with sudden, catastrophic force. Workers in and around the tank area had no warning. Multiple workers suffered severe chemical burns and inhalation injuries; others were trapped or submerged in the released chemical. Nine patients were transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview; additional burn and exposure patients were transferred to Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland — the only specialty burn clinic in the region.
Recovery efforts were suspended and resumed multiple times due to the tank's ongoing structural instability and the hazardous conditions on the ground. An injured firefighter was among those treated at local hospitals. A simultaneous rupture of a water main at the facility combined with the released white liquor, spreading the chemical mixture across a large area of the plant grounds.
The cause of the tank failure has not yet been determined. Nippon Dynawave and local authorities confirmed fatalities in a joint statement. As of the evening of May 26, nine workers remained unaccounted for.
A History of Safety Failures at Nippon Dynawave
This disaster did not occur at a facility with a clean safety record. Records reviewed by local news organisations and state agency databases reveal a pattern of regulatory violations, unresolved complaints, and prior incidents at the Longview facility:
- —Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited Nippon Dynawave four times for safety violations between 2019 and 2025, with total penalties of just $3,400 — a fraction of what regulators could have imposed on a facility of this size
- —At the time of the May 26 implosion, two open safety inspections were already underway — one opened in March 2026 following an anonymous complaint about a valve on a tank holding aqua ammonia, another opened May 6, 2026 following a complaint about a sinkhole caused by a failed drain
- —The Washington Department of Ecology previously fined Nippon Dynawave for permit violations including exceeding wastewater discharge limits and air emissions thresholds
- —The facility experienced a large industrial fire in July 2023 that burned for days, sending thick smoke across southwest Washington and into Portland, prompting air quality advisories
- —In 2025, a worker lost a finger at the facility — regulators did not issue a fine
- —Federal OSHA cited the facility in 2021 for a serious violation, with a penalty of only $2,700
These violations raise serious questions about whether Nippon Dynawave maintained its tanks, equipment, and safety systems to the standards required by law — and whether the May 26 implosion was preventable.
What the Investigation Will Examine
Industrial tanks do not usually fail without warning. A catastrophic rupture is often preceded by years of overlooked corrosion, inadequate inspection, deferred maintenance, improper modifications, missing relief protection, blocked vents, faulty valves, or management decisions that prioritise production over safety. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki's Chemical Engineering background gives Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC a significant advantage in understanding and challenging the technical findings of any corporate or government investigation.
Investigators — including OSHA, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, and potentially the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) — will likely examine:
- —Whether the tank was properly designed and rated for the chemicals and operating conditions involved
- —The tank's full inspection and maintenance history — including any records of corrosion, thinning, cracking, leaks, over-pressurization, vacuum conditions, or prior repairs
- —Whether all safety systems were functioning — including pressure relief valves, vents, alarms, and instrumentation
- —Operator logs, process data, and any warning signs that preceded the implosion
- —Contractor work records — who last worked on or inspected the tank and when
- —Whether the company followed applicable safety standards, manufacturer specifications, and engineering recommendations
- —Surveillance video, employee statements, and communications before and after the incident
- —Whether prior safety complaints — including the two open investigations at the time of the disaster — were adequately addressed
It is critical that evidence is preserved before it is altered, repaired, removed, or destroyed. If you were involved in this incident, contact an attorney immediately so that an independent investigation can begin in parallel with any government inquiry.
OSHA Process Safety Management and Industrial Chemical Tank Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management (PSM) framework is designed to prevent catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals at industrial facilities. PSM addresses hazards that can lead to toxic, fire, and explosion consequences — and sets out requirements for hazard analysis, written operating procedures, employee training, mechanical integrity programs, inspection and testing, management of change, emergency planning, and contractor safety.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) — an independent federal agency — investigates the root causes of major chemical incidents and has repeatedly found that industrial disasters follow predictable patterns: inadequate mechanical integrity programs, deferred maintenance, insufficient hazard recognition, and failure to learn from near misses and prior incidents.
Whether Nippon Dynawave's operations fell under PSM requirements — and whether those requirements were met — is a central question that investigators and plaintiffs' attorneys will examine carefully. The prior violations, open investigations, and incident history at this facility make these questions especially relevant.
What Is White Liquor and Why Is It So Dangerous?
White liquor is a strongly alkaline chemical solution used in the kraft pulping process to break down wood chips by dissolving the substances that bind wood fibers together. It is one of the most corrosive chemicals in routine industrial use. The Nippon Dynawave white liquor mixture contained sodium hydroxide (caustic soda/lye), sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is one of the most corrosive alkaline substances known. It rapidly destroys lipid bonds in human tissue — meaning it breaks down skin, eyes, and internal tissues on contact. Exposure causes:
- —Severe chemical burns and ulcers on skin and eyes — potentially permanent damage and blindness
- —Serious respiratory irritation from inhaled vapors — coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
- —Severe internal burns if ingested or inhaled in high concentrations
- —Systemic toxicity with prolonged exposure, including damage to kidneys, liver, and central nervous system
Sodium Sulfide
Sodium sulfide is also a caustic alkaline agent capable of causing serious chemical burns. In addition, it can combine with acids to produce hydrogen sulfide — a highly toxic and potentially explosive gas. This creates a dual hazard: direct chemical injury and toxic gas exposure.
Chemical Burns vs Thermal Burns — A Critical Distinction
Chemical burns caused by caustic substances like white liquor are fundamentally different from thermal burns caused by flame or heat. A caustic chemical continues to destroy tissue until it is completely removed or neutralised through emergency decontamination and medical treatment. This means that even after the initial exposure ends, the damage continues to progress — deepening burns, destroying underlying tissue, and potentially causing permanent disfigurement.
Workers exposed to white liquor in the Nippon Dynawave implosion face a particularly severe prognosis because: the chemical was released suddenly in large volumes with no warning; the industrial environment may have slowed decontamination and emergency response; and the mixture's alkaline nature means tissue destruction continues until proper medical intervention.
The Combined Hazard
A sudden tank implosion releasing tens of thousands of gallons of this chemical mixture — in an industrial environment with workers nearby — creates multiple simultaneous hazards: direct chemical contact causing severe burns, vapor inhalation injuries, secondary hydrogen sulfide gas production, structural collapse, and the inability of emergency responders to reach victims quickly. This is why injuries in events like this are so severe and why fatalities occur.
Injuries, Medical Treatment, and Long-Term Consequences
Workers and first responders exposed to white liquor in the Nippon Dynawave implosion may face a severe and prolonged medical journey. Chemical burn injuries of this nature typically require:
- —Emergency decontamination — immediate removal of all contaminated clothing and thorough washing of affected areas
- —Hospitalisation — often extended, in specialist burn units
- —Multiple surgeries — including debridement (removal of destroyed tissue) and skin grafting
- —Respiratory support — for inhalation injuries affecting the airways and lungs
- —Specialist eye care — chemical eye burns can cause permanent vision damage or blindness
- —Infection management — chemical burns are highly susceptible to serious infection
- —Long-term rehabilitation — physical therapy, occupational therapy, and scar management
- —Psychological treatment — PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common after catastrophic industrial injuries
- —Future medical monitoring — for long-term respiratory, kidney, liver, and neurological effects
The Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland — the only specialty burn clinic in the region — has confirmed it is treating patients from the Nippon Dynawave incident. The long-term medical costs for seriously burned patients can run into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Full compensation must account for all future care, not just immediate treatment.
Who May Have a Legal Claim?
Workers, contractors, and their families affected by the Nippon Dynawave implosion may have claims beyond what workers' compensation provides. In Washington state, injured workers and the families of workers killed in industrial accidents may have rights against third parties — including equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, engineering firms, tank inspection companies, and others whose negligence contributed to the disaster.
You may have a legal claim if:
- —You were a Nippon Dynawave employee injured in the May 26, 2026 implosion
- —You are a contractor, visitor, or firefighter who was injured at the scene
- —You lost a family member in the implosion — wrongful death claims may be available
- —You suffered chemical burns, inhalation injuries, eye injuries, or other physical harm
- —You were a worker at a nearby area of the facility who was exposed to the released chemicals or vapors
- —You have suffered psychological trauma, lost wages, or ongoing medical expenses as a result of the incident
Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Workers' compensation in Washington provides some benefits for injured workers, but it does not cover pain and suffering, full lost earnings, or punitive damages, and it does not hold negligent parties accountable. If equipment failure, inadequate maintenance, defective tank design, or the negligence of a contractor or third party contributed to this disaster, an injured worker or bereaved family may be able to pursue a separate civil claim that provides far greater compensation.
This is a complex area of law — and precisely the kind of case Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC handles. Do not assume workers' compensation is your only option. Contact us for a free evaluation of your full legal rights.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
- —Medical expenses — past and future, including emergency treatment, surgery, burn care, skin grafting, and long-term rehabilitation
- —Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- —Pain and suffering — physical and psychological
- —Permanent disfigurement or disability from chemical burns
- —Wrongful death damages — funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and grief
- —Punitive damages — where gross negligence or wilful disregard of safety standards is established
- —Future medical monitoring for long-term effects of chemical exposure
Why Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC?
Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC has been representing victims of mass disasters, industrial accidents, and toxic chemical exposure for over 50 years. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki holds a degree in Chemical Engineering — a qualification that gives the firm a rare and decisive advantage in cases involving industrial chemical incidents. He understands the science of tank failure, process safety standards, caustic chemical injury, and the technical arguments that defendants and their experts will raise, at a level that most personal injury attorneys simply cannot match.
Our track record in mass disaster and catastrophic injury cases speaks for itself:
- —$72 million recovered for victims of the Lac-Mégantic train disaster — one of the largest mass disaster settlements in history
- —$36 million settlement for victims of the Windsor Wildcats bus crash
- —$3,420,000 product liability verdict — nail gun injury
- —$2,950,000 bicycle injury verdict upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court
- —$2,500,000 medical malpractice settlement
Disclaimer: The $72M and $36M recoveries involved multiple parties and law firms.
We handle these cases on a contingency basis — you pay no fee unless we win. We work with co-counsel in states across the country and have represented clients in cases involving major industrial corporations and multinational companies.
Steps to Take If You Were Affected
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if your injuries seem minor. Chemical burn and inhalation injuries can worsen over the following hours and days. Document all treatment.
- Keep all records — hospital and medical bills, communications from Nippon Dynawave or its insurers, workers' compensation paperwork, and any correspondence about the incident.
- Do not sign anything — if Nippon Dynawave, its parent company Nippon Paper Group, or any insurance representative contacts you about a settlement or asks you to sign a release, do not sign before speaking with an attorney.
- Do not give recorded statements — you are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the company, its insurer, or their investigators. Contact an attorney first.
- Document your injuries — photograph your injuries at every stage of recovery. Keep a written log of symptoms, pain levels, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
- Contact us immediately — Washington state has strict time limits for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Evidence at the scene is being collected now. The earlier we are involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are deeply sorry for what your family is going through. While authorities complete recovery operations, you can begin gathering documentation — your loved one's employment records, any communications from the company, and any information about their role and location in the facility at the time of the incident. Contact us for a confidential consultation. You are under no obligation to take any action, but speaking with an attorney now will help protect your family's rights.
Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC — Free Case Evaluation
Recovery efforts in Longview are ongoing. If you or your family were affected by the Nippon Dynawave chemical tank implosion, do not wait. Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC today for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.
Call: (860) 589-8000 — available 24/7
Email: Info@Jazlowiecki.com
Online: jazlowieckilaw.com/contact/free-case-evaluation
No fee unless we win.