Texas is a hub for energy production, accounting for 43% of the country’s crude oil production and 26% of natural gas production. The massive industry attracts workers from all over to flock to the state, with more than 150,000 upstream oil and gas workers operating in Texas.
Unfortunately, the oilfield is an incredibly unsafe place to work, and many employees are left with life-changing or fatal injuries in the aftermath of a workplace accident. These accidents can occur for many reasons — such as human error to equipment malfunction — contributing to serious oilfield injuries.
There are a variety of common injuries resulting from a Texas oilfield accident. A qualified Houston oilfield injury attorney at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD can help you recover if you or a loved one has been involved in an oil and gas accident.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Oilfield workers in Houston are at risk of being injured in a severe slip and fall accident, particularly when working on elevated platforms near oil and hazardous chemicals. Slip and falls can contribute to the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Neck or spinal cord injuries
- Strained muscles
- Concussions
Unfortunately, a fall from a tall platform or near moving machinery can result in fatal injuries.
Equipment Malfunction Injuries
The massive equipment capable of extracting oil from deep inside the earth can — unsurprisingly — inflict life-threatening injuries in the event of a malfunction. A manufacturing flaw or human error can contribute to devastating equipment accidents in the oil and gas industry, resulting in severe injuries, such as:
- Crushed limbs
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Severed limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
Workers injured by equipment malfunction may be unable to work and provide for their families as they once could. A trusted attorney can help oilfield accident victims protect their legal rights.
Rig Collapse Injuries
Oil rigs are colossal structures that weigh thousands of pounds. These systems are sometimes created hastily and with careless methods, yielding an insecure and volatile rig. A rig collapse can result in severe oilfield injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Severed limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
Sadly, workers who are atop collapsed rigs or trapped beneath may not survive the event, leaving behind their family and loved ones to pick up the pieces.
Fire and Explosion Injuries
The extreme temperatures and unstable chemicals that are commonplace in the oil industry can result in fires and explosions. These tragic events have resulted in the deaths of countless oil workers. Victims who survive oil fires and explosions may suffer from the following injuries:
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Head injuries
Oil fires and explosions are often covered extensively in the media. However, the oil and gas industry has not been able to completely prevent these devastating accidents.
Poisonous Gas Injuries
During the oil extraction process, poisonous gases are often released. These gases, like hydrogen sulfide, pose a serious hazard to unprotected workers. The colorless gas gathers in confined areas, putting unsuspecting workers in danger. A combination of negligent inspections and regulations can leave oilfield workers at risk of injuries related to gas exposure, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Headache
Unfortunately, workers exposed to hazardous gases frequently lack respiratory protection, leaving them at risk of being killed on the spot.
Electrocution
Electricity is a common hazard in Texas oilfields. The power required for oil equipment to function can be a potential threat to oilfield workers. Texas workers in the middle of the desert, enclosed by soaring metal equipment, are exposed to the danger of lightning strikes. Electrocution can leave workers with severe injuries, including:
- Burns
- Unconsciousness
- Shock
A Houston oil worker who suffers electric shock may not be able to obtain immediate medical aid due to the faraway location of some oil fields. This means that many electrical accidents end fatally for oilfield workers.
Houston Oilfield Accident Attorneys
In 2008, Texas had the most fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry, with 41 fatal injuries reported in the state that year. Oilfield accidents are known to leave workers in frustrating situations where they have to deal with medical costs, lost income, and other significant damages. Workers injured on the job need quality legal representation to help them recover fair compensation.
West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD is here to help you recover the full extent of your damages. Our oilfield injury lawyers Houston have spent their careers representing injured parties and fighting to hold people and businesses accountable for negligence, carelessness, and misconduct.
Contact us today at (713) 840-7200 if you have been unfairly injured in a Houston oilfield accident.
Recent Comments