Some oil field companies do not follow basic safety standards for the protection of their workers and contractors. Our oil field injury attorneys can help identify when this is the case and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Most companies do not take responsibility when workers are injured or killed in Texas oil fields. When they do take responsibility, it is often in “root cause” reports that the company will refuse to provide to the injured worker or their family. Workers are asked to make written statements, but then the company refuses to provide the injured oil field worker with a copy of their own statement or that of anyone else. Don’t let these companies take advantage of you when you are hurt and call our oil field injury attorneys today to help you navigate your case.
How a Houston Oilfield Injury Lawyer Can Help Take Care of Texas Oilfield Workers
If you are asking yourself, “do I need to talk with an oilfield injury attorney?” the answer is almost certainly yes. The oilfield companies who might be responsible for your accident are not likely to wait to talk to their oilfield lawyers.
The company oilfield attorneys will start building their defense from the day they learn about a worker’s injury, with the goal of doing everything possible to avoid responsibility and limit your ability to recover damages.
You need your own team of oilfield injury attorneys to investigate your claims and do everything possible to prove who was at fault and recover the full extent of your damages. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, initial consultations are free for any oilfield accident victim. If we represent you, there is no out-of-pocket cost. We are only paid if we make a recovery on your behalf.
What To Do When Injured in an Oilfield Accident
- Report your injury immediately
- Stop working if you are hurt
- Take photos of the accident scene, any equipment involved in your accident, and your injuries
- Gather the full names and telephone numbers of any witnesses
- Demand immediate medical treatment at a doctor of your choice
- Do not give a formal statement, sign paperwork, or accept money from the company other than your normal paycheck without first speaking with an experienced oilfield injury attorney
- Contact an experienced attorney
Our Texas oil field lawyer has written a blog about what to do after an oilfield accident to help you right now.
Common Causes of Oilfield Injuries
- Poorly trained and inexperienced workers
- Poor supervision and enforcement of safety standards
- Lack of information given to employees
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Tired and fatigued workers
- Putting cost-cutting ahead of worker safety
- “Passing the buck” mentality among certain operators and management
- Pressure to rush the work and companies who want to make as much money as they can as quickly as possible
- Toxic exposure to petrochemicals and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
- Unsafe work in confined spaces
Different types of oil field accidents
Heavy equipment failures
Oilfield injuries involving heavy equipment require a thorough investigation of possible causes and responsibility.
Whether due to a falling pipe on the drilling platform, a malfunctioning kelly drive, mud pump, racking board, backhoe, or another piece of machinery, the stakes for the injured worker could not be higher whenever a heavy equipment injury happens at the worksite.
Maintenance companies, operators, company men, welders, subcontractors, and product manufacturers may share in the responsibility for causing oilfield accidents involving heavy equipment.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our oil field injury attorneys take the burden of investigating possible causes and determining fault off the shoulders of injured workers and their families.
We take this job seriously and devote the resources necessary to determine who may be at fault and why.
Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions at oilfield worksites can be due to improper mixing of petrochemicals, uncontrolled pressure, failure to follow lock-out and tag-out procedures, and many other reasons. When a fire or explosion happens at a well site, riggers, roughnecks, and other members of the rig crew can be severely injured. Injuries can be made if there are insufficient safety policies in place, whether they be inadequate evacuation plans, poor fire control measures, or outdated and under-inspected safety equipment.
Burn injuries are particularly devastating. Burns can cause almost immeasurable pain and suffering, cause lifelong scarring, necessitate extensive procedures, and sometimes prevent a worker from ever being able to earn a living again.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we have experience handling catastrophic burn injuries.
Although the road to recovery can be long, we want to help injured worker and their family every step of the way.
Our case evaluation starts with a telephone conversation: 832-402-6637.
Well Blowouts
Although rare, well-blowouts can cause devastating injuries to the rig crew. Well-blowouts are almost always the result of lax safety standards, poorly maintained and inspected equipment, and a failure to properly supervise the drilling operations.
When a good blowout happens, workers can be injured from the initial event, while trying to evacuate the area, and from exposure to dangerous oil well products.
Most well blowouts involve failures at numerous levels, by many people, and many companies.
Fracking Accidents
Even if a well is safely completed, there is still a significant risk of injury during the fracking process itself. Workers can be hurt by the numerous rigs that operate day and night during the injection process.
Sometimes workers inhale dangerous materials such as silica sand which has been associated with increased rates of lung cancer and mortality. The fracking process can also expose workers to dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide, which can cause severe illness and death.
Truck and vehicle accidents
Vehicle-on-vehicle and vehicle-on-pedestrian injuries are a preventable reality at the well site. Whether due to improper training, the 24/7 work environment, or simply from poor driving, oilfield workers involved in motor vehicle accidents at the worksite should promptly seek treatment for their injuries and contact a law firm that has experience handling commercial motor vehicle accidents. There are specific state and federal regulations governing the operation of commercial motor vehicles that can be important in showing who is at fault for causing an accident.
Shut-in accidents
When oil and gas wells are no longer profitable or when they are played out, companies stop production and shut in the wells. Companies may be under financial stress at the time of the shut-in.
As a result, they may cut corners and fail to make the safety of workers their top priority. Just because a well has been shut in or even if an operator has gone out of business does not mean that injured workers cannot make successful claims for their injuries.
It is, however, important to act quickly to make sure important evidence is preserved and that the claim is made to the necessary companies and insurance carriers as soon as possible.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP we have the infrastructure and resources to take quick action to preserve the rights of injured workers.
The first step is to tell us about what happened. Fill out the free and confidential form below and one of our Texas oilfield injury attorneys will contact you to go over the next steps.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls at the well site can be caused by hidden dangers, poor design of the workspace, and improper training and supervision, among other reasons.
When an oilfield worker suffers a trip or falls at the workplace, it is important that the incident is documented as soon as possible and that the injured worker obtain the medical care that they need.
Unlike many other professions, oilfield workers with a slip, trip, or fall injury may not be able to pass necessary physicals in order to return to work, causing substantial loss of wages in addition to medical costs and physical pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one have suffered a trip, slip, or fall injury while working at the well site or for an oilfield company, our oil field injury attorneys are ready to help.
Confined Space Injuries
Oilfield workers are particularly at risk of injury due to the confined spaces where they often work.
Although the land surrounding the well site can be vast, the space that workers have to perform their functions on the rig typically provides little room for error. When disaster strikes, workers sometimes do not have enough room to escape.
Specially trained crews are often brought on site to clean onsite tanks.
This dangerous work requires specialized equipment, proper lighting, proper ventilation, and a hole watch.
Our team of lawyers has encountered injuries in these conditions due to failures in equipment, a hole watch that wanders off, and a multitude of other reasons.
We understand how the job should be done, and we stand ready to evaluate the possible causes of your oilfield accident.
Call our oil field injury attorneys day or night at 832-402-6637 to start the process.
Fatigue
Oilfield workers frequently work overtime during rig operations, the oil well completion, and fracking operations.
Even during slow times at the well site, some employers keep their employees working overtime to the point of fatigue.
But, at the well site, heavy machinery must be constantly inspected, repaired, and maintained.
When this work is not completed or not done safely, other workers can be seriously injured or killed.
Investigations into oilfield injuries require an understanding of what workers may have contributed to the accident and whether fatigue or overwork played a role in causing the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oilfield Accidents in Houston, Texas
Q: What damages can I receive for an oilfield injury?
Answer: The damages available for an oilfield injury case include medical costs in the past necessary as a result of the accident and medical costs in the future that are likely to be required. Lost wages and lost earning capacity in the past and in the future are also recoverable. Injured workers can also seek payment for pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, and mental anguish.
Q: What if I am found at fault for the accident?
Answer: A company’s determination that you are at fault is not binding in the courtroom. If you are found at fault during a legal proceeding in Texas, then the rule of Comparative Fault will determine the outcome. Under the rule of Comparative Fault, each party who is found negligent is assigned a percentage of fault, and the injured person does not recover their percentage. For example, if the injured oilfield worker is found 10% at fault and other defendants are found 90% at fault, and the injured worker has $1,000,000 in damages, then the injured worker would be entitled to $900,000. In Texas, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, then you cannot recover any damages. This rule is part of why it is important to hire an experienced oil field injury attorney as soon as possible so that a prompt and thorough investigation can be completed.
Q: What if I am receiving workers’ compensation benefits?
Answer: Employers and certain other companies that provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage can be immune from suit under many circumstances. However, due to the nature of oilfield work, oftentimes there are other companies that played a role in causing the accident. Examples include maintenance companies for equipment failures, “company men” that are not true employees of the operator, and other contractors at the worksite. Even if you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you should not delay in consulting with an experienced oilfield injury attorney.
Q: How do you find out who is responsible for my accident?
Answer: Sometimes it is clear who is at fault for an accident. But oftentimes it takes investigation to determine who is at fault. An action or failure to act by another person or company can take weeks or months before it results in an injury. It is our job to investigate on behalf of our clients with the help of experts in the industry to determine who is at fault. Sometimes only one person or company is at fault, and other times multiple parties share responsibility.
Q: How long does it take to bring a claim?
Answer: It depends. Some cases are resolved quickly, within several months of an injury. However, most cases involving serious injuries require longer periods of time. This is because the injured worker needs to receive a course of treatment for there to be a clear picture of what the future medical costs, lost wages, and other damages look like. It also takes time in the legal system to bring a claim and for discovery to be conducted on the merits of the claim.
Although defendants often try to delay final resolution, having an experienced attorney on your side can be instrumental in bringing a fair and expeditious conclusion to your claim.
Our Houston Oilfield Injury Lawyers Can Help You
If you are suffering due to an injury at an oil refinery, an oil field injury lawyer can help you. Contact our experienced oil field injury lawyers at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, and we can assist you in reviewing your claim. We are committed to achieving results and believe in aggressive advocacy. In the past, our oilfield lawyers have secured several multi-million dollar settlements for our clients. Call us today at 832-402-6637 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.
