Seeking Personal Injury Compensation for Oilfield Injuries You Have Sustained
Workplace injuries can usually be expected in environments that involve construction, mechanical, or laboratory work. In other cases, however, the risk becomes a lot higher because of the location of the job itself.
Oilfield work, for example, is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs, due to the presence of hazardous chemicals, fumes, and equipment. That’s why it’s very important for companies to guarantee the welfare and safety of their people. Otherwise, oilfield injuries among Oklahoma workers and elsewhere are going to be off the charts.
Here are some of the kinds of injuries that you should be careful about when working in an oilfield, and which could probably lead you to need the services of a personal injury lawyer.
Because of the large presence of oil in this particular work environment, the risk for fires are high all the time. In some instances, fires can break out despite all the necessary precautions. In the event that you get burned, you should immediately seek proper medical attention to avoid further infections and complications.
Slips and Falls
Oil in the workplace makes for a very risky environment as it tends to be very slippery. Oilfield workers are advised to wear boots with traction so that they don’t go tumbling down every step of the way, but of course sometimes these mishaps still occur.
The fall itself can already lead to serious consequences such as broken bones, but it can also get even worse, particularly if the worker hits his head on a hard surface or corner. In this case, the injury is not just something that they will need to sit out for a while, but may require a more serious treatment or rehabilitation efforts.
Machinery Accidents
The nature of the job requires the use of heavy machinery and equipment. Ideally, all the laborers in the oilfield will know how to properly handle them with care. A loose bolt or screw, slippery hands and feet, or even the simplest distraction can cause the worker to lose control.
While all of these scenarios are accidents that nobody really wanted to occur, it’s still the responsibility of the employer to properly compensate the worker for it, especially if negligence played a part. After all, there will be medical bills to take care of, which becomes such a heavy burden on the part of the employee since he cannot work while he’s recovering. He will likely not earn any income until he is all cleared by the doctor.
That’s why it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney in pursuing claims for oilfield injuries, such as Little, Oliver & Gallagher. Lawyers can help obtain just compensation for victims to help ease their financial worries and allow them to focus on getting better instead.
For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
Sources:
Oil and Gas Industry Fatal and Nonfatal Occupational Injuries. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Oil and Gas Extraction. OSHA.