It was only in 2015 that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began requiring employers to report any incident leading to hospitalization or loss of a body part, not just fatalities and catastrophes. This change in policy has helped give the public a more accurate picture of how extensive non-fatal injuries in the oil and gas industry are.
The following are just some of the injuries you may have suffered from an oil field accident for which you are entitled to short-term and/or long-term compensation:
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- Slip and fall injuries
- Amputations
- Minor or severe burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Crushed body parts
- Nerve damage
- Neck injury
- Chronic back pain
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Internal organ injuries
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Injuries are often caused by a variety of accidents that can include:
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- Pipeline explosions
- Drilling rig, valve and other equipment failures
- Electrocution
- Collapsed oil rigs
- Exposure to toxic fumes
- Oil truck accidents
- Derrick or crane accidents
- Office slip and falls
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These are some of the common types of activities that lead to oil field accidents:
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- Falls are a major danger as oil and gas workers are often working high up on derricks and other moving equipment such as cranes and hoists. On any given oil well site, there are many moving parts. Workers are often interacting with workers from other companies, third-party contractors, etc. This can lead to a lack of coordination or confusion and one wrong step or a strong gust of wind can lead to a serious life-threatening or deadly fall.
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- Fires and explosions are naturally among the most immediate dangers as workers are dealing with flammable gas, powerful engines and generators, tank vapors, shale shackers, and other flammable materials. There are also environmental factors that can lead to fires and explosions such as lightning storms, open flames, cigarette butts, electrical generators, high-pressure lines, and even surfaces that are extremely heated.
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- Transportation hazards are unfortunately common given the importance of vehicular transportation to isolated oil well sites, often on rural roads. Oil truck drivers work long hours and employers may not have the most stringent driver safety policies and work schedules to prevent fatigue. Vehicular collisions are a major cause of death when it comes to oil field accidents and other workers can be struck by or caught in or between, not only vehicles, but also moving and falling equipment (e.g., from a crane).
If you or a loved one is the victim of an oil field accident in the state of Texas, no matter how small it may seem, or even how serious and life-threatening it may be, the Law Office of Ryan C. Solis, PLLC, can make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision and pursue the necessary actions to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (956) 686-9600 today for your free consultation, and let Ryan get you the money you need to recover. Ryan represents clients from all over Texas, including Mission, McAllen, Brownsville, Raymondville, the Rio Grande Valley, or anywhere else in South Texas.
