A California oilfield worker remains hospitalized following an explosion on Friday that left him with critical injuries to his legs.
Bakersfield Well Blowout Threw Worker from Platform
The December 3rd incident occurred as a crew was filling an abandoned well located along California Avenue near Easton Drive in Bakersfield. The victim was apparently thrown from the platform when the well blew out shortly before 8:30 a.m. PST.
First responders provided field care to the victim’s legs until an ambulance transferred him to Kern Medical. While he was conscious upon his arrival, medical personnel determined that he had sustained multiple fractures to both legs and extreme internal bleeding.
MMI Services Truck Spotted at Abandoned Well Site
The oilfield worker is currently in stable condition after undergoing extensive surgery to stop the bleeding. However, he will require multiple additional surgeries in the near future to repair the damage to his legs.
So far, it’s not clear what caused last Friday’s oil well blowout in Bakersfield.
According to local media reports, a truck belonging MMI Services, an independent well-servicing contractor out of Bakersfield, was spotted at the site when the blowout occurred. However, the company has so far declined to comment on the incident.
What is an Oil Well Blowout?
An oil well blowout describes the uncontrolled release of oil or gas from a well.
Blowouts occur for any number of reasons, including failure of a well’s blowout preventer, which is supposed to seal off a well and withstand intense pressure in the event of such a release.
While blowout preventers substantially decrease the likelihood of a catastrophe, they’re only effective when they’re properly maintained and workers are adequately trained in their operation.
Injured in a Well Blowout? Here’s What to Do Next.
If you or someone you love suffered catastrophic or fatal injuries due to a well blowout or any other type of oilfield accident, it’s essential to understand that the well operator, drilling company, and their insurance adjusters are only interested in avoiding responsibility and limiting your financial recovery to what little workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to.
To ensure you’re fully compensated for all of the damages — future lost wages, future medical bills, pain and suffering, and more — that you might otherwise receive in a personal injury lawsuit, you must act quickly to protect your rights.
At the very least, don’t speak with the company’s insurance adjuster, make a recorded statement, sign anything, or accept any payments (other than your regular paycheck) until you’ve contacted an experienced Oilfield Accident Lawyer with a record of success against the largest oil companies in the country.
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If you need legal assistance in the wake of the Bakersfield, California, well blowout or another oilfield accident, our attorneys can help. Please call 1-888-603-3636, use the “chat” button on our homepage, or click here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Us” form.
Our Oilfield Accident Attorneys will take the time necessary to answer your questions, explain your rights, and provide all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
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