Oilfield Accident Attorney

John T. Flood is an attorney in Corpus Christi, TX who focuses on oilfield accident cases. Call (361) 654-8877 today for a free initial case evaluation. 

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), between 2013 and 2017, 489 workers lost their lives on the job due to oilfield accidents. While statistics like this show the risks involved with the oil and gas industry, they also serve as strong indicators that employers are overlooking employees’ wellbeing and safety.

Common Causes of Oilfield Injuries

Oilfield accidents occur somewhat regularly; and, in many cases these accidents lead to the deaths of workers. The process of extracting oil and natural gas requires the use of heavy machinery, equipment, large trucks, and other transportation devices. Because of this, the types of accidents and associated injuries can range broadly. Sources of oilfield injuries sustained on the job can include:

• Being struck by a vehicle or heavy equipment
• Becoming caught-in or caught-between machinery
• Explosions or fires
• Falls
• Confined spaces
• Machine hazards
• High pressure lines and equipment
• Heavy noise
• Extreme temperatures and fatigue

Oilfield workers often handle a variety of chemicals and work in an environment containing hazardous gases, including:

• Diesel particle matter
• Hazardous chemicals
• Hydrocarbon gases and vapors and low oxygen environments (confined spaces)
• Hydrogen sulfide
• Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)
• Silica

Oilfield Worker Injuries

Potential oilfield worker injuries include:

• Amputations
• Broken bones or fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Loss of vision
• Loss of hearing
• Paralysis
• Deep lacerations
• Severe burns

Hazardous chemicals and gases combined with dangerous heavy machinery and grueling manual labor can prove lethal if oil and gas companies don’t properly train and protect employees as well as perform routine maintenance.

Protecting Oilfield Workers

The oil and gas industry is demanding, and over the past decade there has been an increased need for workers. While the workforce that fuels the energy industry grows, so do fatality and serious injury statistics among workers. Oilfield workers are eight times more likely to suffer a fatality on the job than other workers, resulting in an industry death rate of 3.2% per every 100,000 workers. In areas like the Permian Basin that employ hundreds of thousands of workers annually, these statistics can prove devastating.

While oil and gas companies profit off the work of oilfield workers, they cannot let the safety and wellbeing of their employees fall by the wayside. OSHA enforces a strict set of guidelines and standards for the oil and gas industry that aim to reduce worker fatalities. When oil and gas companies ignore these guidelines and fail to implement safety training, provide sufficient safety equipment for employees, and do not conduct routine maintenance on heavy machinery and other industrial equipment, workers lives are put at risk.

Oilfield Accident Attorneys

We believe the workers who help grow and maintain our healthy oil and gas industry deserve more than just a paycheck. Oilfield workers deserve a safe and secure workplace free of immediate danger and risk while performing their daily duties. 

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an oilfield accident, you may be entitled to compensation; however, there is limited time to act. Contact Corpus Christi attorney John Flood today for a free case consultation. Call our office at (361) 654-8877 for a free initial case evaluation. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Oilfield Accidents

What should I do if I’m injured in an oilfield?

If you are injured while working in an oilfield, you should first notify your employer of the on-the-job accident. Then you should seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Once you are stabilized and safe, you should consult with an experienced work injury lawyer to find out more about your legal rights.

What are some of the dangers associated with oil drilling?

The dangers associated with oil and gas drilling include:

• Explosions and fires
• Falls
• Confined space injuries
• Electrical hazards
• Industrial machinery and heavy equipment
• Falls
• Work-related motor vehicle accidents

What is my oilfield accident case worth?

While no one can guess the actual final value of any oilfield accident case, an experienced energy industry lawyer will know a likely range within which your case will fall. Many factors can influence the value of an oilfield injury claim, including the severity of the injury, who caused the accident, and whether workers’ compensation is involved.

Should I hire a lawyer for my oilfield accident?

While your employer may treat you well, once you are injured on the job, they have to consider their own risk of financial exposure. Oil and gas companies have teams of high-priced, experienced lawyers on their side ready to handle anything that comes up; therefore, it is definitely worth it for an injured worker to at least talk to a lawyer about their potential claims.

What types of injuries can result from an oilfield accident?

Oilfield accident injuries can include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones / fractures
• Burns
• Soft tissue injuries
• Extremity injuries
• Toxic exposure

What if my oilfield employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance?

If your employer does not subscribe to workers’ compensation, you can sue them directly in a workplace injury lawsuit. Texas allows employers to choose whether or not they want to subscribe to workers’ comp; and, if they don’t, there is no bar to a lawsuit.