OILFIELD INJURY
Oilfield work is inherently dangerous work. In fact, from 2008 through 2017, 1,566 workers died from injuries in the oil-and-gas drilling industry and related fields, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s almost exactly the number of U.S. troops who were killed in Afghanistan during the same period. When injuries or deaths are caused by the negligence or wrongful acts of others, Texas law provides for recovery based on personal injury or wrongful death.
Oilfield incidents often involve explosions, falling or shifting objects, gas leaks or ruptures, well blowouts and gushers, and collapsing rigs. Many oilfield mishaps involve negligent employers as well as third-party companies and contractors. Our attorneys have the knowledge of the law and personal injury claims to identify every potentially liable party.
In addition to the dangers involved in drilling and rigging, pipeline construction and excavation is also a very dangerous oilfield occupation. The federal government's pipeline safety watchdog, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, has a set of rules for a little more than 18,000 miles of gathering lines — generally high-pressure lines in populated areas. But another 439,000 miles of pipeline are classified as rural gathering lines and left unregulated. That's enough to wrap around the Earth more than 17 times. Unfortunately, these pipelines are not always marked or identified, which can lead to hazardous conditions for every person working near these lines.
Our attorneys have experience in representing victims of oilfield-related accidents and their families. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an oilfield incident, contact our legal team today.
