An oilfield accident can happen at any time, and if you get hurt while working in an oilfield, you have legal rights. At this point, a Texas oilfield accident lawyer may help you pursue damages from an at-fault party.
Liggett Law Group is an elite Texas injury law firm. If you have been injured in an oilfield accident, we may be able to help you recover the financial compensation you need and deserve to move forward. Our Texas oilfield accident attorney can review your case and go over your legal options with you. For more information, get in touch with us.
A Closer Look at Oilfield Accidents in Texas
According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, oil production totaled 1.92 billion barrels in 2023, which represents a record high. Producing oil can be profitable, but it is also extremely dangerous. Many oilfield accidents are reported annually, including the following:
Crush, Struck By, and Caught Between / Caught In Accidents
An oilfield worker may be crushed due to faulty equipment or other reasons. There are also times when an oilfield employee gets struck by heavy machinery or objects. Along with these things, a worker may get caught between or in equipment and objects while working in an oilfield. In any of these instances, an employee may be the victim of a crush, struck by, or caught in accident, and they may be able to seek damages from any at-fault parties.
Workplace Vehicle Accidents
A worker may travel to or from an oilfield and get into an accident. Another case may involve an employee driving a workplace vehicle and crashing it into another worker. In either of these scenarios, the accident victim may suffer a serious injury or die.
Blowouts, Explosions, and Fires
It is an employer’s responsibility to protect workers against on-the-job hazards. At an oilfield, flammable materials are present. If these materials are not stored or maintained properly, they can lead to a blowout, explosion, or fire.
Pressurized Equipment Failures
Pressurized Equipment FailuresWith an oilfield pipeline, compressed gas or other issues can cause the equipment to fail. If this happens, the pipeline can explode. In addition, oil rig equipment may be defective. If the equipment fails, it may blow up under pressure.
You may not be able to stop an oilfield accident from happening. However, you can control how you respond to an oilfield incident that puts you and others in danger. With help from an oilfield injury attorney, you may be able to figure out who is responsible for the accident. From here, you may be able to submit a claim for damages.
Determining Liability in an Oilfield Accident
It is in your best interest to identify any parties responsible for your oilfield accident as soon as you can following the incident. In Texas, there is a two-year limitation period for submitting an injury claim. This means you may have up to two years from the date of your accident to pursue damages from any at-fault parties. Beyond this deadline, you may be solely responsible for all of your accident-related losses.
Following an oilfield incident, state and federal agencies may conduct an investigation. They may identify any parties responsible for the accident and provide insights into why the incident happened in the first place.
Common causes for accidents in oilfields include:
- Defective drilling equipment
- Failure to comply with industry safety regulations
- Worker fatigue
- Untrained or poorly trained employees
After an investigation, you may be able to retrieve reports that include details relating to your accident to use as evidence in your injury case. These may help you prove an at-fault party was negligent.
Proving Negligence After an Oilfield Accident
To secure compensation following an accident in an oilfield, you must be able to demonstrate negligence. You can collect accident reports, photos, videos, medical records, and other forms of proof to support your claim. On top of these, you must be able to show the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident:
- Duty of care: An at-fault party had a legal responsibility to avoid careless and reckless acts that could put you and others in danger.
- Breach of duty of care: This party violated their legal responsibility and acted carelessly and recklessly.
- Causation: Since the party breached their duty of care, they caused your accident.
- Damages: You are dealing with economic and non-economic losses relating to your accident.
In Texas, you may request damages for economic and non-economic reasons. Economic compensation may be awarded for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses you can quantify. Comparatively, non-economic damages may be provided for pain, suffering, and other subjective losses.
A Texas work injury attorney will help you calculate your accident-related losses, including how to determine the value of your non-economic damages. If your personal injury lawyer can effectively establish the other party’s negligence, you should be able to secure 100% of the compensation you request.
Third-Party Lawsuits for Oilfield Injuries
An injured worker most often cannot file a workplace injury lawsuit against their employer if that company subscribes to workers’ compensation coverage. Alternatively, you may be able to sue a third party if you can show they were responsible for your accident.
Third parties who may be liable for oilfield accidents may include contractors, engineers, and equipment manufacturers. You can sue any of these parties directly with help from an experienced oilfield accident lawyer in Texas. Your attorney can protect your legal rights and best interests. If you have a valid claim, they can help you request sufficient compensation to address all your losses.
In a situation where a family member dies in an accident in an oilfield, your attorney can help you determine if you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Common damages you can seek include burial and funeral expenses, emotional distress, and other losses you are dealing with following your family member’s death.
Get Started with A Texas Oilfield Accident Claim
You do not have to pay for oilfield accident losses you incur due to someone else’s negligence. By partnering with an attorney, you can build a powerful claim to obtain the most compensation possible from any at-fault parties.
The legal team at Liggett Law Group has more than 70 years of combined jury trial experience. We handle a wide range of personal injury lawsuits and we are confident we can assess your claim for its strength and potential. We help you file your case on time and work to reach a satisfactory settlement offer or jury verdict on your behalf. Contact us through our online form to schedule a free consultation with a skilled oilfield injury lawyer today.