The Facts Behind Texas Oilfield Accident Settlements

The laws governing oilfield accidents are complicated, and these accidents have a reputation for being extremely dangerous. Major players in the industry will try to argue that their oilfield is dangerous. Here’s what you need to know about oilfield accidents and the injuries that result from them. 

OSHA, Claims, & Oilfield Safety

OSHA is the agency that regulates and penalizes oil companies that cause accidents and injuries. In many cases, OSHA doesn’t work in the interest of the injured employee. The agency does investigate and impose penalties on companies in violation of their standards, but these companies will often contest these claims. In these cases, OSHA has been known to reduce or get rid of penalties entirely to reach a settlement faster. This has created a more lenient atmosphere that ultimately does little to reduce negligence on the oilfield. 

What Should I Do If I’m Involved in an Oilfield Accident?

If you’ve been involved in an oilfield accident resulting from the negligence of another party, you may be unsure of what to do next. Workers’ comp will only cover a small portion of your damages, but it won’t do much if your company doesn’t provide workers’ comp coverage. OSHA may penalize the company that caused your injuries, but this won’t help you cover your medical expenses. 

It’s Important to Know Who Is Responsible

For cases involving oilfield accidents, it isn’t always easy to determine liability. There are many potential parties who may have contributed to your injuries, like equipment manufacturers, the person responsible for safety standards at your job site, and even truckers on site. 

If there is more than one party responsible, workers’ comp may not be an option for you at all. You would have to seek lost compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. If your employer was the only one responsible for your injuries, you’ll likely be limited to a workers’ compensation claim only. 

Houston Oilfield Accidents

The United States is a producer of tens of hundreds of millions of barrels of oil annually, and there are nearly 11,000 oilfield workers in the industry. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that there are nearly 120 fatalities related to the oil and gas industry annually. Nationwide, 1,566 oil and gas workers were killed from 2008 to 2017.

Those injured in the oilfield are often at risk of suffering from severe injuries compared to those working in other industries due to the dangers of the job. The dangers of their jobs leave them extremely vulnerable. Injured parties need to partner up with a law firm that has experience handling these types of cases. 

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.