TEXAS (Bloomberg) - A BP plc. contractor who was 30 to 40 yards from the explosion that killed 15 co-workers at a Texas refinery in 2005 told jurors he hid his injuries and kept working because he could not afford to quit.

"I got sick to my stomach," James Platt, 57, said at a trial today in Galveston, Texas, of returning to his job as a crane operator at BP's Texas City refinery a week after the blast. "I just knew one of them was going to blow up on me. But I knew if I called in sick, that would mean my job."

Mr. Platt described fleeing the flaming refinery and hiding his injuries from coworkers and family for 18 months before seeking medical attention out of fear he might lose the job he needs to qualify for a pension. London-based BP told jurors Platt didn't seek medical care because he was not hurt in the blast.

Mr. Platt is one of eight workers suing the company over injuries allegedly caused by the March 23, 2005, explosion at its largest refinery. Mr. Platt, who has had one spinal surgery and needs another, seeks $9 million in compensation and, along with the other workers, nearly $1 billion in punitive damages.

Jurors are weighing evidence in the fourth round of blast claims to come to trial in Texas state court. BP, Europe's second-largest oil company after Royal Dutch Shell plc., has so far avoided a verdict by settling all but about 1,200 of the 4,000 injury and property claims stemming from the blast. Three previous trials ended before jurors could hear all the evidence.

BP has admitted responsibility for the explosion and set aside $1.6 billion to compensate victims. BP lawyer Kenneth Tekell told jurors during opening statements the company has attempted to reach "reasonable" settlements with all workers injured in the blast. The company disputes causing the spine, limb and emotional injuries these eight workers claim.

The explosion occurred as an octane-boosting unit overflowed as it was being restarted after repairs. Gasoline spilled into an antiquated vent system called a blow-down drum, creating a vapor cloud that exploded, destroying windows five miles away. The explosion killed 15 and injured hundreds.

Mr. Platt testified he had never missed a day of work in 35 years at area petrochemical plants and refineries, in spite of two serious burns predating the blast. He returned to his contracting job with Maxim Crane days after the explosion.

"I wanted to tell them I was okay, but I was lying to myself," Mr. Platt said. "I thought it would work out. I was tough. But it just seemed to get worse and worse."

Mr. Platt said he has delayed a spinal-fusion operation, in spite of constant pain, because he could not take the three months off needed to recover.

The other plaintiffs suing in this case are: Donald Jones, 52; Bobby Moore, 58; Douglas Brantley, 32; Steve Bahr, 49; Marvin Vasquez, 39; Richard Crofoot, 60; and John Estephan, 43.

BP's American depositary receipts, each representing six ordinary shares, rose $1.03 to $74.71 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.