Oilfield Accidents

The demand for increases in domestic oil and natural gas production has created a marked increase in drilling activity in the United States oil and gas industry. While oil field jobs pay very well, they also can be extremely dangerous. The high demand for crews and equipment has put additional pressure on the industry to use inexperienced workers and unsafe equipment. This has led to sharp increases in oilfield accidents and injuries.

The oil and gas industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and statistically is the most dangerous job field in the country. The work is fast paced, and workers face the risk of serious injuries or death every day.  Between 2008 and 2017, 1,566 oil field workers died from injuries suffered while extracting oil and gas in America. These statistics will continue to grow as the demand for crude oil and natural gas outpaces equipment maintenance and safety training.

Defective Equipment

An oil rig is complex, with many moving parts. On any drilling site, workers are required to operate dangerous heavy equipment whether they are drilling, pulling pipe, mixing mud or performing any other rig-related jobs. Equipment failure can result in serious injury or bodily harm. It is imperative that employers maintain and service equipment on an appropriate schedule, and modernize any components that have become outdated. Sometimes a defect stems from a design or manufacturing flaw, and the manufacturer must be held accountable. But it is always crucial that the oil rig be properly maintained, and that regular safety checks are performed responsibly.

Fire/Explosions

Explosions and fires are the most harmful types of accidents that happen in the oil field.  We have particular expertise in these cases, having represented workers who have been severely burned through no fault of their own. These cases involve detailed engineering analysis, and burn victims often require multiple surgeries and lifetime medical care and therapies.

Flammable vapors and gases at drilling rigs can easily ignite due to friction heat, hot surfaces, sparks from cutting and welding tools, open flames, static, pressure levels, and even cigarettes. Explosions and fire often occur when high pressure lines leak or break. Employers have a responsibility to properly regulate and maintain the oil rig through safety checks, and designated safety precautions.  The operator of the rig site is always responsible for providing a safe place to work for all workers on the site.

Settlements

5,125,000.00 – Oil and gas settlement obtained for a man who sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of a defective valve at an LPG loading dock.

$2,500,000.00 – Settlement obtained for a woman who was injured in a gas explosion.

$5,125,000.00 – Oil and gas settlement obtained for a man who sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of a defective valve at an LPG loading dock.

$2,500,000.00 – Settlement obtained for a woman who was injured in a gas explosion.

$1,200,000.00 — Recovery for worker injured in crash on oil field road.

$1,000,000.00 – Multiple million dollar settlements in oil and gas accident cases.

$1,000,000.00 – Multiple million dollar settlements in interstate truck cases.