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The oil and gas industry in the United States is enormous, to say the least. The fuel business is continuously booming, and it takes a great deal of work to run everything smoothly. From drilling and refining to regulation and shipping, there are countless teams and employees involved along the chain. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were an estimated 118,200 employees working in oil and gas extraction as of April 2023.
Unfortunately, the massive reach and intensity of the oil and gas industry, as well as the high-risk nature of many of its jobs, means that workplace accidents and worker injuries are all too common. With experienced Houston oilfield accident lawyers from Johnson Garcia, victims of such incidents can get the help they need.
Call us today at 832-844-6700 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Houston work injury lawyer.
Oil and gas extraction and transportation involve various types of equipment and materials. These present hazards to workers and often result in accidents and injuries for oilfield workers.
Below are some common accidents in the oil and gas industry.
These accidents happen when heavy machinery, equipment, or objects in the oilfield industry catch, crush, or strike workers. In caught-between accidents, workers become trapped or crushed between equipment, machinery, or structures.
For instance, a worker’s body or limb may get caught between a moving part of a machine and a fixed structure. On the other hand, caught-in accidents are those where workers can get caught in moving machinery or equipment, such as conveyor belts, rotating parts, or drilling components. Struck-by accidents occur when workers are struck by moving vehicles, swinging equipment, or falling objects.
Flammable materials, such as gases and fuels, pose a risk of explosions and fires. These accidents may originate from various ignition sources, including sparks, electrical malfunctions, or hot surfaces that may ignite flammable materials.
Falls are a common accident in the oilfield industry, particularly in elevated work areas. Workers can fall from heights, such as when working on drilling rigs, scaffolding, elevated platforms, or ladders, resulting in injuries or fatalities. Trips and slips may also occur due to uneven surfaces, cluttered work areas, or slippery conditions, causing falls and resulting in injuries.
Trucks, tankers, or heavy machinery used in transporting products and equipment can collide with other vehicles due to driver error, mechanical failures, or hazardous road conditions. Collisions involving tankers and large trucks in the oilfield industry are usually deadly, especially given the risk of fires and explosions.
Exposure to uncontrolled mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic energy or other sources of hazardous energy puts workers at risk of severe injuries, especially if a piece of equipment isn’t designed, installed, and maintained as required. Improper release or containment of pressure in systems, such as pipelines or pressure vessels, may also lead to explosions or injuries caused by sudden energy releases.
Various operations in the oil and gas industry, including drilling, fracking, and transport operations, expose employees to a myriad of accidents and injuries. Some of the most common injuries that workers in the oilfield industry suffer include:
The consequences of these oilfield injuries can be far-reaching, with some potentially resulting in permanent disabilities for workers. Working with an experienced Houston oilfield accident lawyer can make your claim process less strenuous and increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve after an oilfield accident.
The oil and gas industry involves complex operations and inherent risks. From the equipment workers use to products such as natural gas, various factors could cause accidents and injuries. Some of the common causes include:
Mistakes or lapses in judgment by workers can contribute to oilfield accidents. Examples of human error that can lead to accidents or injuries include inadequate training, improper use of equipment, failure to follow safety protocols, fatigue, and distraction.
Poorly maintained or malfunctioning equipment can lead to accidents. Accidents may arise when there are failures in drilling rigs, pressure vessels, pipelines, valves, and safety systems.
Flammable, toxic, and corrosive materials pose significant risks for workers in the oil and gas industry. Accidental releases, leaks, or spills of these substances can result in fires, explosions, or chemical exposures.
Ignition sources, such as sparks, open flames, or electrical malfunctions, can lead to fires and explosions, especially in areas with flammable materials. Fires and explosions can occur during drilling, production, transportation, or storage operations.
Working at heights, such as on drilling rigs, scaffolding, or elevated platforms, can lead to falls if proper fall protection measures are not in place. Falling objects, including equipment and debris, also pose a safety hazard to workers.
The transportation of oil and gas products involves risks, particularly during loading, unloading, and transportation through pipelines, tankers, or trucks. Vehicle collisions, rollovers, or mechanical failures can cause accidents and spills.
Adverse weather conditions, such as high winds, hurricanes, or storms, can impact operations and increase the risk of accidents, particularly for offshore operations.
Failure to follow established safety procedures, inadequate safety training, poor communication, and a lack of safety culture within the organization can all contribute to accidents and injuries.
Oilfield workers can hold employers liable if their negligence directly results in an accident. At Johnson Garcia LLP, our Houston oilfield accident lawyers can help you with your injury case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Specifically, our legal team investigates accidents to establish whether employers adhered to safety practices and made the workplace a reasonably safe environment for workers.
If you are involved in an incident while working on an oilfield, do your best to stay calm and handle the situation strategically. Use the following tips to help you navigate what may well be a confusing and difficult time:
Oil rig workers have the right to a safe working environment, despite workplace hazards. Employers in this industry are subjected to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to eliminate workplace hazards. Some of the OSHA safety regulations that apply to the oilfield industry include the following:
Our Houston oilfield accident lawyers at Johnson Garcia LLP have over 35 years of experience under their belts and have successfully handled numerous oilfield accident cases. Let us help you determine whether your employer is liable for your injuries after an oilfield accident by investigating whether or not they adhered to oil and gas safety regulations.
Workers who have suffered injuries after an oilfield accident may be entitled to various types of damages depending on the nature of the accident and the extent of their injuries. Some of the damages that may be available to oilfield workers include:
The legal team at Johnson Garcia knows that every oilfield accident case is unique. Our experienced Houston oilfield accident lawyers help victims understand their rights and determine whether they are eligible for compensation after an oilfield accident.
Although data from the last few years shows some improvements in safety and a slight reduction in the number of fatal and nonfatal injuries, these incidents remain a massive problem in the oil and gas industry. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, there were 481 hospitalizations and 166 amputations that occurred as a result of 602 oil and gas extraction accidents.
When you’ve been injured working on an oil or gas extraction operation, the physical and emotional repercussions can be devastating. In addition to the pain, discomfort, and potentially long-lasting damage of a serious non-fatal injury, you may be left feeling angry, frustrated, or even lost after your injury. For the loved ones of workers who suffer fatal injuries, the incredible sense of loss and grief cannot be understated.
The financial repercussions of such accidents only add insult to injury. For many victims of oilfield accidents, their employers are quick to deny involvement, and insurance companies are unwilling to provide sufficient coverage for their needs.
If your employer and insurance company don’t give you the compensation you need, you may be left footing outrageous medical bills and dealing with a major loss of income from being out of work. If you are injured so severely that you are unable to return to work, you may even find yourself without a source of steady income. If your employer’s negligence led to your injuries, you may have a right to be compensated for these major losses.
At Johnson Garcia LLP in Houston, Texas, we help victims of all kinds of workplace accidents seek the compensation and justice they deserve. We leverage more than 30 years of combined experience to give our clients the best possible quality of representation. Not only will we fight for your rights in court, but we’ll also guide you step-by-step through the lawsuit process and help you understand all your rights and obligations as a victim and U.S. citizen.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed after an oil or gas extraction incident, don’t let those responsible leave you struggling; it’s time to hold negligent employers accountable for their failings. Call us at 832-844-6700 to schedule your free initial case evaluation today.
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