Dallas Oilfield Accident Attorneys
Texas is famous for its large reserves of oil and likewise for its robust oil drilling industry. However, this industry is also widely known for being one of the most dangerous industries in the country. Oilfields are rife with risk, and even despite strict laws regarding safety procedures, thousands of people are impacted by accidents on oilfields around the state each year. In fact, more than 4,000 injuries and more than 100 deaths happen on oil fields and drilling operations per year according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. While those numbers are national, it stands to reason that many of them happen in Texas due to the number of active oil fields and drilling operations in the state.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an oilfield accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At J. Alexander Law Firm, we are a staunch advocate for oil industry workers and their families, helping them hold negligent employers accountable in the event of a life-changing accident. We are willing to do whatever it takes to get you the compensation you deserve, including taking your case all the way to trial if necessary. We have recovered more than $10 million for our clients and have earned a spot in the esteemed Million Dollar Advocates Forum® for our success in previous cases.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can have your case evaluated with no risk to you! Call J. Alexander Law Firm and schedule yours by dialing (214) 206-3264 today.
Common Types of Oilfield Accidents
While the oil industry understands that accidents and injuries can happen at any time, some types of accidents are more common than others. Despite safety and operating procedures to try and minimize the risk of some of these incidents, it can be hard to account for the unexpected.
Here are some of the most common oilfield accident causes:
- Amputations from machinery or equipment
- Being hit by machinery or equipment
- Drilling rig accidents
- Equipment malfunctions
- Explosions
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Fracking contamination
- Gas truck accidents
- Oil well blowouts
- Slips and falls
- Transportation accidents
Oilfield Accident Injuries
Because oilfields are rife with heavy machinery, dangerous substances, and large objects moving at high speeds or with tremendous force, injuries in these environments tend to be severe. It isn’t uncommon for an oilfield accident to leave a worker scarred, permanently disabled, or even unable to work. Here are just a few of the catastrophic injuries that can happen in oilfields.
- Severe burns: Oil and natural gas are both highly flammable. A single spark could ignite a massive blaze that causes severe, painful burns.
- Broken bones: Heavy machinery and high forces can easily break human bones. Likewise, slippery conditions mean fall injuries that can break bones are also not uncommon.
- Spinal injuries: Spinal cord injuries to either the back or neck can cause a wide variety of issues, including permanent disability, loss of use of your arms or legs, and so much more.
- Brain injuries: A sharp impact to the head can cause a brain injury, including a concussion that could permanently inhibit your coordination, cause headaches, and more.
Oilfields are also no stranger to fatal accidents, either. If a loved one has lost their life in an accident while working on an oilfield, talk to our attorneys to learn if your situation could make you eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
Oilfield Accident Risk Factors
While oilfield operators go to great lengths to keep their fields safe, no oilfield is a risk-free place to work. Managers and owners of oilfields must do their part to minimize those risks as much as possible. All too often, risk factors lead to injuries and deaths that may have been avoidable. Here are some of those risk factors:
Employee Fatigue
Even the most experienced oilfield workers can make fatal mistakes when they are fatigued. Long and often irregular hours can lead to fatigue and potentially deadly mistakes. Even a small lapse in attention or judgment brought on by fatigue can be deadly if it occurs at the wrong time.
Inadequate Safety Procedures
Given how many hazards there are in this industry, safety procedures are necessary. If workers do not carry out safety checks, maintenance, and repairs, or they are not trained in protocols and safety procedures, accidents can happen.
Inexperience
You have to start somewhere in a job, but the oil industry is one that has very little room for error. Workers can sometimes be in short supply, forcing companies to hire workers who might lack experience and training, leading to mistakes and a potential disaster.
Oilfield Employer Responsibilities
If you’re an oil and gas worker, you are likely well aware of just how dangerous the industry can be. However, the inherent risk of the job does not preclude safety restrictions and requirements. Oilfield owners and drilling companies are still responsible for maintaining reasonable safety procedures to protect employees on the job.
Sooner rather than later, after an oilfield injury, you should get in touch with a Texas attorney to talk about the best course of action. Many people are afraid of seeking legal representation because they work for a large and successful oil company. However, if your oilfield injury resulted from negligence, poor management, or similar, you may be eligible for compensation. At J. Alexander Law Firm, our Dalals oilfield accident lawyers aren’t afraid of big oil companies, and we make it our mission to help workers and their loved ones seek justice when someone has been injured or killed by one of these accidents.
Start Your Claim Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in an oilfield accident, know that you have rights. Notify your supervisor of the incident, gather your evidence, and contact an oilfield injury attorney. At J. Alexander Law Firm, we can help explore the avenues of compensation for your pain, suffering, lost wages, and medical care.
Schedule a consultation with a Dallas oilfield accident attorney by contacting J. Alexander Law Firm today!
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How long do I have to file a claim after my injury?
In Texas, workers who are injured on the job must file a claim within one year of the accident that caused their injury. In the event that the issue is not related to a particular accident but instead caused by repeated exposure to a workplace hazard, then you have one year to file your claim from the date on which you became aware of your injury. However, Texas law also states that you must inform your employer of your injury or condition within 30 days. This means either 30 days from the accident that caused your injury or 30 days from the day you became aware of your condition. This does not mean you are filing your claim, but you cannot file a claim unless you have reported your injury.
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What happens if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?
Workers’ compensation insurance companies deny claims all the time, often wrongfully. You can challenge this decision, but you will need to participate in a benefit review conference before you can have your case heard before a workers’ compensation judge. We strongly recommend having legal counsel for this process, as these matters can be complex.
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I was injured working on an offshore oil rig. What are my rights?
Accidents or injuries that occur on offshore oil rigs are governed by the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, the Oil and Pollution Act, the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and much more. Factors such as the location of the oil rig, its distance from shore, and the nature of the work being performed at the time of the accident can all play a factor in a case’s outcome. We strongly recommend having a skilled attorney review your case as soon as possible if you were injured while working on an offshore oil rig!
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