Oilfield Accidents

Oilfield workers operate in a dynamic, high-stress environment and provide the resources that fuel our economy and way of life. Oilfield jobs can also be dangerous. Between fires, blowouts, equipment failures, vehicle accidents, and toxic exposure (among others), there are many ways that oilfield workers can be injured. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal accidents in the oilfield have increased more than 65 percent since 2016.

But the mere fact that the oilfield can be dangerous does not justify or excuse accidents caused by someone else’s mistake or carelessness, or a company’s decision to put profits over safety. If you were injured in the oilfield, contact us for a free, confidential consultation. As oilfield accident attorneys, we help all types of oilfield workers, including roustabouts, floorhands, roughnecks, mud loggers, operators, pumpers, toolpushers, and drivers to ensure they get what they deserve from the companies responsible for their injuries. We work on a contingency fee, so we don’t get paid unless we obtain a settlement or win your case at trial.

We help with all types of oilfield accidents, including:

·      well blowouts
·      heavy machinery or equipment failures
·      fires and explosions
·      toxic exposures
·      electrical contact and electrocution
·      vehicle accidents
·      dropped objects
·      slips, trips, and falls

Our law firm’s approach to oilfield accident lawsuits.

We have worked at some of the biggest and best law firms in the country and have significant experience with complex, high-stakes claims like oilfield accidents. We will investigate your claim and demand that potentially responsible companies preserve any evidence relating to the accident. If we determine that you have a legal claim, and the responsible parties refuse to pay what you deserve, we will file a lawsuit and fight to get you maximum compensation for your injuries. We believe in preparing a case for trial from day one. Although many cases eventually settle, the settlement value of your claim will be higher if you are prepared for trial and willing to go the distance.

What damages am I entitled to in an oilfield accident?

If someone else was responsible for the accident, you are entitled to recover compensation for your economic damages, like medical bills and lost income, and your non-economic damages, like the physical pain and suffering and emotional distress caused by the accident. If you hire us, we will seek compensation for:

·      Past and future medical costs, including prescriptions, therapy, surgery, and other medical costs;
·      Income you’ve lost from being unable to work, and any future loss of earning capacity;
·      Any scarring or disfigurement caused by the accident;
·      Your physical pain and suffering;
·      Emotional distress caused by the accident;
·      Loss of enjoyment of life, including harm to your relationships; and
·      Any other physical, financial, or emotional harm caused by the accident.

Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to punitive damages, which are money damages intended to punish the defendant and deter similar accidents.

We take cases from oil and gas fields across the county, including:

·      Eagle Ford
·      Permian
·      Barnett
·      Haynesville
·      Anadarko-Woodford
·      Granite Wash
·      Niobrara
·      Marcellus
·      Bakken
·      Utica

What you should you do if you are injured in an oilfield accident?

You should immediately seek all necessary medical care. You should also contact a lawyer to protect your rights, preserve potential evidence, and determine whether you have a legal claim for your injury. Be wary of giving statements to insurers and corporate accident investigators before speaking with a lawyer. Lawyers have a duty to act in their client’s best interest. An insurance company is not focused on your best interests and may try to elicit statements that will hurt your legal claim and minimize their customer’s role in your accident.

What types of injuries occur in the oilfield?

All types of injuries can occur in the oilfield, including:

·      death
·      burns
·      loss of limbs and amputations
·      crush injuries
·      broken bones
·      brain injuries
·      inhalation injuries to lungs
·      neck and back injuries
·      chemical exposures
·      electrocution

What are common causes of oilfield accidents?

Oilfield accidents can occur for many different reasons but some of the most common include:

·      inadequate training of employees
·      inadequate supervision of employees
·      inadequate coordination between contractors
·      inadequate company safety procedures
·      failure to follow company safety procedures
·      failure to comply with industry or government safety regulations
·      defective heavy machinery
·      inattention
·      fatigue
·      negligence and gross negligence

What if I am receiving workers’ compensation?

Although you may not have a claim against your employer, you could still have a claim against other companies on the oilfield jobsite who were responsible for your injury. It is important to consult with an attorney to investigate whether workers’ compensation precludes a claim against your employer and whether you have a claim against a third party.