Exxon Mobil Faces Skeptical Court in Texas Plant Explosion

Exxon Mobil Corp. is unlikely to overturn a $27 million jury verdict for workers injured in a 2019 ethylene plant explosion near Houston, a Texas appeals court indicated during oral arguments Tuesday.

Justices voiced skepticism to arguments from the oil and gas giant that jurors relied on a faulty charge to side with three workers who said they were injured fleeing the fire.

That charge—asking if Exxon’s negligence caused the occurrence rather than the injuries—made no difference in the jury concluding the workers suffered physical pain and mental anguish, said Chief Justice Tracy Christopher of the Court of ...