The oil and gas industry is one the most lucrative industries in Texas. As the oil and gas business has grown in our state, so have injuries and fatalities. It turns out, oil-rig workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Oil field accidents outpace the construction industry in incidents resulting in severe injury and deaths, and the issue doesn’t seem to be going away. In Texas, approximately 45 oil-field workers are killed in accidents every year and approximately 700 more suffer from serious injuries.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed because of an accident on the oil field, you need to know your legal options. Here are some things you’ll want to consider.
Causes and Injuries
Your injury was probably caused by an accident that could have been avoided. There are, unfortunately, many different types of accidents contributing to workers’ injuries. Some of the most common culprits are:
- Fires and explosions
- Defective machinery
- Inadequate training
- Improper supervision
Common injuries related to these accidents include:
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Torn tendons and ligaments
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of life
If you’ve been affected by an accident, your employer may owe you a significant amount of compensation. The types of compensation depend on the type of injury, who was at fault, and other factors such as OSHA violations, lack of risk assessments, or improper safety guidelines.
Compensation
Texas does not require employers to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Many companies offer this coverage, but if they don’t, legal action will be needed to secure compensation for your losses. Even if your company offers coverage, it may be limited and the loss sustained could merit additional compensation.
In either case, you’ll want to consult with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases due to oil field accidents. An attorney experienced in litigating these types of cases can give you better guidance. Oil field cases require legal representation that understands the oil field, the risks associated with the machinery used and duties performed, and will be familiar with OSHA regulations and industry standard safety guidelines.
Legal Options
Depending on the accident, you may sue your employer for negligence or a third-party manufacturer for defective machinery. Many injured oil field workers are frightened at the thought of filing a lawsuit. Suing someone may feel scary or unnecessarily antagonistic if you’ve never been involved in a lawsuit before. But, our justice system is in place for a reason. Legal avenues are available to ensure that any losses incurred due to someone else’s negligence are appropriately compensated.
My team is ready to help you pursue justice for yourself or your loved one. Oil field accidents are common, and so are lawsuits that follow. My goal is to get families the compensation they deserve – and in the long-run, help prevent these accidents from happening in the first place.
