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Houston Oilfield Accident Lawyers

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.

Houston oilfield accident attorneys can help with injuries in oilfield sites

Call us today at 832-844-6700 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Houston work injury lawyer.

Common Oilfield Accidents

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.

Caught-Between/Caught-In/Struck-By Accidents

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.

Explosions and Fires

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

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.

Vehicle Collisions

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.

Uncontrolled Energy Hazards

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.

Common Oilfield Injuries

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:

  • Burns and thermal injuries. Fires, explosions, and contact with hot surfaces or fluids can cause severe burns, damaging the skin, underlying tissues, and organs.
  • Fractures and broken bones. Accidents involving equipment malfunctions or being struck by objects can lead to simple fractures, compound fractures, or severely broken bones that necessitate surgery and prolonged recovery.
  • Head and brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries or concussions can result from accidents involving falls, object strikes, or oil rig explosions.
  • Spinal cord injuries. Falls, vehicle accidents, or being struck by heavy equipment can result in partial or complete paralysis among oilfield workers.
  • Crush injuries. Workers can be caught or crushed between heavy equipment, vehicles, or structures, resulting in catastrophic injuries such as severed limbs and damage to internal organs.
  • Soft tissue injuries. Strains, sprains, and tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in the oilfield industry due to heavy lifting, repetitive activities, and sudden impacts.
  • Respiratory and chemical exposure injuries. Exposure to hazardous substances, such as toxic gases, fumes, or chemicals in the oilfield environment, can lead to respiratory problems, lung damage, and chemical burns.
  • Amputations and severed limbs. Accidents involving heavy machinery, equipment malfunctions, or crushing incidents can result in traumatic amputations or severe injuries requiring surgical amputation.
  • Hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to loud noise levels from drilling operations, machinery, or explosions can lead to hearing loss or occupational noise-induced hearing loss.

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.

Potential Causes of Accidents and Injuries

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:

Human Error

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.

Equipment Failure

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.

Hazardous Substances

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.

Fire and Explosions

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.

Falls and Falling Objects

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.

Transportation Accidents

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.

Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions, such as high winds, hurricanes, or storms, can impact operations and increase the risk of accidents, particularly for offshore operations.

Inadequate Safety Practices

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.

What To Do After You've Been Injured In An Oilfield Accident

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:

  1. Address your medical needs immediately. Even if the accident seems minor, any unusual symptoms (e.g., pain, light-headedness, cloudy thoughts) could be a sign of a serious internal injury.
  2. Do your best to take detailed notes about what occurred. If you are able, physically write down notes and take pictures with a mobile phone or camera. The more information you can gather and the more hard evidence you can provide, the better chance you’ll have to prove what happened if it is disputed.
  3. Before you speak with anyone else, get in touch with a Houston oilfield injury attorney who specializes in these types of accidents. At Johnson Garcia LLP, for example, our knowledge of the tactics used by oil and gas industries in court means we can guide you carefully through the process of pursuing justice for your injuries.
  4. Once you’ve spoken with a Houston oilfield accident attorney, you may be advised to contact the insurance company and finish handling all reporting requirements.
  5. When talking with your employer, coworkers, insurance company, or others, be very careful not to say anything that could be misconstrued as an admission of fault on your part. Your employer and insurance company may take every opportunity they can to escape from their responsibilities.

Oilfield Injuries and Safety Regulations

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:

  • Personal protective equipment. Workers on oil rigs must wear appropriate PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, safety boots, and flame-resistant clothing, to protect themselves from potential hazards in their workplace.
  • Hazard communication. It is imperative that all hazardous materials in the working environment, such as chemicals and gases, are clearly labeled and information provided regarding the proper handling, storage, and emergency response procedures for these materials.
  • Process safety management. Employers should take measures such as hazard analysis, risk assessment, emergency response planning, and regular equipment inspections to ensure the safety of workers.
  • Fire safety. The apparent risk of fires on oil rigs makes fire prevention measures, fire suppression systems, fire drills, and constant employee training on fire safety procedures crucial.
  • Equipment safety. Players in the oil and gas industry should ensure regular inspection, maintenance, and certification of equipment, such as drilling rigs, pipelines, and pressure vessels, to ensure their safe operation.
  • Fall protection. Workplaces must use appropriate fall protection systems, such as guardrails, safety harnesses, and safety nets, to prevent falls among employees working in elevated areas.
  • Confined space entry. Safety regulators in the oilfield industry put strict protocols in place for working in confined spaces, including testing the atmosphere for toxic gases, adequate ventilation, and proper entry and exit procedures.

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.

Common Damages in Oilfield Accidents

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:

  • Medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, and physical therapy
  • Lost wages. If injuries sustained by a worker result in temporary or permanent disability, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, including past and future income and benefits.
  • Rehabilitation services, including physical or occupational rehabilitation
  • Home modifications
  • Assistive devices, such as prosthetics or mobility aids
  • Wrongful death benefits. If a worker is killed in an oilfield accident, their dependents or beneficiaries may be eligible for wrongful death benefits, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support.
  • Pain and suffering as compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, or mental anguish due to the accident
  • Disability and impairment
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

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.

Worker Injuries Are A Huge Problem In The Oil And Gas Industry

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.

Accidents Can Leave You With Physical, Emotional, And Financial Struggles

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.

Find An Experienced Houston Oilfield Injury Lawyer At Johnson Garcia LLP

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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