West Texas Oil Rig Injury Attorney

Suffering from an accident while doing dangerous work on an oil rig often causes disfigurement, emotional distress, and permanent life-changing injuries.

Unfortunately, oil rig workers face hazardous working conditions every day. Your injuries may drain your finances as your inability to work creates a burden on you and your family. 

If you have suffered an injury on an oil rig, contact a West Texas oil rig accident lawyer to get the compensation you deserve. 

Common Oil Rig Accidents in West Texas

Oil rigs are often the site of extreme injuries and accidents. The most common types of oil rig accidents include the following:

• Chemical leaks or explosions;
• Gas leaks;
• High-pressure malfunctions; 
• Negligent worker error;
• Exposure to toxic chemicals;
• Slips and falls;
• Equipment malfunction; 
• Improper use of equipment;
• Block or cable breaks;
• Improper maintenance of equipment; and
• Drilling blowouts.

Despite what your company may promise you after an accident, never accept an offer without first speaking to a West Texas oil rig accident lawyer.

While any compensation helps after a catastrophic oil rig injury, an initial settlement offer may not adequately compensate you for all your damages and losses. 

Causes of Oil Rig Accidents

Oil rig accidents can be devastating, resulting in severe injuries and tragic deaths. The following is a look at some causes of these accidents and the types of injuries that can occur.

Equipment Failure

One common cause of oil rig accidents is equipment failure. The complex machinery used on oil rigs, such as drilling equipment, pumps, and valves, are prone to malfunctions due to wear and tear, improper maintenance, or manufacturing defects. Equipment failure can lead to catastrophic accidents, including explosions, fires, and structural collapses, endangering the lives of workers on the rig.

Negligence

Negligence also plays a significant role in oil rig accidents. Failure to follow safety protocols, inadequate training, and lax enforcement of regulations can increase the risk of accidents occurring. For example, workers who fail to properly inspect equipment or ignore warning signs of potential hazards may inadvertently contribute to accidents.  Adhering to safety guidelines and showing If they adhere to safety guidelines and show the proper diligence, they can prevent many of those accidents.

Human error is another leading cause of oil rig accidents. The high-pressure and fast-paced nature of work on oil rigs can lead to mistakes that have serious consequences. Errors in operating heavy machinery or miscommunication during critical tasks can result in accidents that endanger the safety of workers and the environment.

Bad Weather

Environmental factors also pose significant risks for those working on oil rigs. Storms and high winds can make operations more hazardous and increase the likelihood of accidents. Natural disasters can cause substantial structural damage to oil rigs, leading to equipment failures and other safety issues.

Common Injuries Resulting from Oil Rig Accidents

Oil rig accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe burns, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and many others. 

Explosions and fires are particularly dangerous, often causing severe burns and respiratory injuries due to exposure to toxic gasses and chemicals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explosions caused nearly 15% of all oil and gas industry fatalities from 2014 to 2019. 

Workers may also suffer crush injuries or amputations as a result of being caught in machinery or structural collapses. Oil rig crush injuries occur when workers become trapped between heavy machinery, equipment, or structural components. The incredible weight and force involved in these incidents can cause severe injuries, including fractures and internal organ damage.

Psychological Trauma

In addition to physical injuries, oil rig accidents can have long-term psychological effects on workers. The trauma of witnessing or experiencing a serious accident, as well as the fear of future incidents, can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health issues can significantly impact the well-being and quality of life of workers affected by oil rig accidents.

Oil rig accidents are serious events that can have devastating consequences for workers and surrounding communities. Knowing the causes of these accidents is essential for injured workers, as well as the family members of those tragically lost, to get the justice they deserve.

What Should I Do After an Oil Rig Accident in West Texas?

After an oil rig accident, there are multiple steps to take in order to protect your rights, including filing a lawsuit for your injuries. 

Notify Your Employer 

After an oil rig accident, notify your employer immediately. Failure to report an accident may negatively affect your opportunity to receive fair compensation.

Additionally, your employer may terminate your employment for failure to report the accident.

Employers generally must report workplace accidents to the Division of Workers’ Compensation in Texas within eight days of your job site injury, which prompts an investigation into the events.

Before speaking with any insurance adjusters or accepting settlement offers, speak with a West Texas oil rig accident law firm. 

Seek Medical Attention

Oil rig accidents often result in particularly catastrophic injuries. Seek medical attention immediately.

In addition to helping you get the treatment, you need, obtaining a complete medical evaluation shortly after the oil rig accident creates a clear connection between your injuries and the accident.

Your attorney uses this record to negotiate for recovery of your past and future medical expenses. For many, medical expenses and treatment may be ongoing for months and even years. 

Contact a West Texas Oil Rig Injury Attorney 

You may feel pressure to settle your case with insurance companies for less than your case is worth.

While it may be tempting to alleviate your financial stresses, accepting an offer without first consulting an attorney is a grave mistake.

An initial settlement offer may fail to adequately cover the costs of your medical expenses and medical treatment. Additionally, acceptance of an initial offer usually prohibits you from seeking more money later. 

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

West Texas oil rig accident lawyers work tirelessly to protect your compensation rights after an accident.

The attorneys practicing in this field of law understand the complexities of oil rig accidents and injuries and know how to prepare these claims to maximize recovery.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you may need to file a workers’ compensation claim, a lawsuit, or both.

Oil rig accident cases can require investigators, expert witnesses, and extensive trial preparation.

Additionally, your attorney handles all communication, including negotiations and settlement discussions, between all parties, including your employer and insurance companies. 

Contact Us 

At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we believe that the relationship between our firm and our clients represents a sacred trust. We never view our clients as a case but as individuals who have been wronged or lost loved ones.

We work tirelessly to help our clients move on and obtain the best possible results on their behalf.

Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and how we can help you.

Joshua Lee

Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Get in touch with Joshua Lee now.