I Was Injured in an Oilfield Accident. Can I Sue?
When an oilfield worker is injured on the job, he or she may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for their damages. Most oilfield workers in Texas can recover the money they need by filing a workers’ compensation claim. This will allow the injured party to get money to cover medical bills and some of their lost income quickly, without having to through the process to establish liability.
These benefits may not always be enough to meet the needs of the injured worker. That’s why it’s crucial that oilfield workers understand their potential legal options and understanding how to file a lawsuit.
What Are the Most Common Oilfield Accidents?
Even though state law in Texas mandates that all oil and gas companies maintain a safe workplace for oilfield workers, accidents can and will happen. There are more than 170,600 people working in Texas’ oil and gas industry, so workplace safety is more important now than ever before. Some of the most common types of oilfield accidents include:
- Heavy equipment failures
- Fires and explosions
- Well blowouts
- Fracking accidents
- Truck and vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Entrapment
- Hydrogen sulfide poisoning
- Collapsing rigs
- Electrocution
Filing a Lawsuit for Injuries Caused by an Oilfield Accident
If you are injured in an oilfield accident, then you need to understand your rights as a worker. For instance, if you collect workers’ compensation benefits after an accident, then you’re unable to pursue a lawsuit against your employer. In Texas, there are certain scenarios where filing a lawsuit is possible.
Many employers in Texas do not offer workers’ compensation insurance. If this is the case with your job, then you can file a suit to recover your losses. When you pursue a lawsuit, you have to show that your employer or another employee’s negligence contributed to your accident. If your injuries were due to your own negligent actions, you’re unable to pursue a lawsuit against your employer.
Lastly, you have a right to file suit against any third parties that may have contributed to your oilfield accident, even if you collect benefits from workers’ comp. Some possible third parties who may be liable for an oilfield accident include:
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Landowners
- Oil rig owners
- Oil rig manufacturers
- Trucking companies
- Shipping companies
Even still, because oilfield accidents are so complicated, it’s pivotal that you talk with a Houston oilfield accident attorney as soon as you can. Your legal representative will review the circumstances of your case and help you determine who is at fault and can be held liable due to their negligence.
Texas Oilfield Accidents
In Texas, we see oilfield accidents all the time on the news. More oil and gas industry fatalities happen in the state than any other, with 41 deaths reported in 2008. The entire field of work is dangerous, with a reported 1,566 workers dying on the job from 2008 to 2017.
Kevin J. Connolly at Connolly Law believes in giving back to the community and helping injured parties recover after being injured due to the negligence of a big oil company. Our team of Houston oilfield injury lawyers is here to fight for you. Contact us today at (832) 767-3568 to see how we can help.
