Accident on the Job? Why You Need an Oilfield Injury Lawyer
Over 1,500 oil workers died on the job from 2008 to 2017. The oil and gas extraction industries are dangerous, and fatality rates are almost 5 times that of all other sectors in the United States.
Many oil and gas workers fail to report their injuries, especially if they aren’t severe. If you’ve been injured on the job, though, don’t hesitate to call an oilfield injury lawyer so that you can get the compensation you deserve for your injury, pain, and suffering.
Do you want to learn more about what to do about an injury on the job? Keep reading to learn more about what to do after a work site accident and how a personal injury lawyer can help!
What Is an Oilfield Injury Lawyer?
An oil field injury lawyer is a personal injury attorney specializing in gas and oil industry accidents. They’re knowledgeable about the many different types of accidents that occur on-site.
Their experience enables them to assess any injury from different perspectives and a plethora of knowledge. From there, they determine the best course of action and how to build a case.
They’re familiar with how oil field companies behave after workplace accidents. If the oil company tries to deflect blame or put pressure on you, your oilfield injury lawyer will handle all correspondence going forward.
Personal injury lawyers with experience handling oilfield cases will fight for your rights and ensure the company responsible is held accountable and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Types of Oilfield Accidents
Many types of accidents occur on-site during oil or gas extraction. For injured workers, an accident can be detrimental to one’s life and their family. Let’s take a look at some of the most common accidents occurring on the oilfield.
Explosions and Fires
Every day, gas and oil industry workers must face potential fires and explosions on site. Tanks, trucks, wells, and other production equipment releases flammable gases and vapors. Those vapors and flames are easily ignited by static electricity, friction, open flames, or other heat sources.
Sometimes drilling companies don’t follow proper safety precautions and protocols. The risk at a well site is extreme, so following regulations is of the utmost importance. If you sustain an injury because of an explosion or fire, it’s likely that you have a claim for damages.
Heavy Equipment Failures
All drilling sites require workers to operate heavy, dangerous equipment. Sometimes that equipment fails due to things like:
- Inadequate maintenance
- Careless safety instructions
- Overstress
- Manufacturing defect
The law states that heavy machinery must be safe for workers. Employers must maintain and check equipment regularly for accident prevention, too. Plus, employers must provide sufficient training for workers to operate the equipment safely.
If you were injured due to an equipment failure, don’t assume it was your fault. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries in addition to any worker’s comp.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are increasingly common in the oil and gas industry, especially at extraction sites. Workers are often required to work long hours in difficult environments. As a result, the chance of a slip or trip is even more likely.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to ensure that all walking surfaces are safe in order to prevent falls from elevated equipment. However, slips, trips, and falls are still some of the most common causes of severe workplace injuries.
If you’re required to get to elevated, hard-to-reach places and fall as a result, you could be entitled to compensation, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer who specializes in oilfield accidents.
Well Blowouts
When an uncontrolled release of natural gas or crude oil gets released during the drilling process, a well blowout occurs. Typically, the blowouts are a result of failures in the pressure control systems.
Modern oil wells have advanced technology that allows for blowout prevention and risk reduction. However, the accidents still occur and can be catastrophic.
Investigations for well blowouts can take years, which is why you need a lawyer on your side to help you obtain monetary damages as soon as possible.
How an Oilfield Injury Lawyer Can Help
More often than not, oilfield injury cases are complicated. You need a lawyer to help navigate and investigate your injury and your case so that you get enough compensation to cover your pain, suffering, and losses.
Here are some of the ways in which having an oilfield injury lawyer helps:
- Calculating your damages
- Determining whether or not you have a worker’s comp claim
- Determining whether you have a 3rd-party liability claim
- Proving negligence and determining the cause of your accident
- Investigating potential OSHA violations
- Negotiating a settlement
- Litigating in court (if necessary)
If you’ve been injured on an oilfield site, it’s not enough to get some of your medical bills and lost wages covered. Your oilfield injury attorney will fight for your rights to recoup your damages and ensure you have enough to cover future pain, suffering, and medical bills.
Missed work, lifetime injuries, and trauma are essential components to the pain and suffering compensation you may be entitled to.
Don’t Hesitate to Call an Oilfield Injury Lawyer
Oilfield injuries are significantly more likely than other industry accidents, which is why it’s crucial for employers to follow safety protocols and regulations.
Unfortunately, many oilfield accidents could easily be avoided, and more often than not, companies try to deflect accident blame onto the workers.
Whether your injury is minor or severe, you shouldn’t hesitate to call an oilfield injury lawyer. At the very least, they’ll be able to tell you whether or not you’re entitled to compensation for your injury.
Are you ready to get help with your claim? Contact us today for some peace of mind and a FREE case evaluation. We are here to help!