Oil rig workers are generally compensated very well for the work they do. However, they face constant dangers that put them at risk of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death when they report to work on an oil rig in Texas. Oil rig employees work long hours under extremely difficult working conditions.
Some of the dangers of working on an oil rig in Texas include:
Explosions
According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), there were 25 explosions on offshore oil rigs between 2012 and 2022. Even though explosions are more rare than other oil rig accidents, explosions result in catastrophic injuries, deaths, and environmental disasters. The Deepwater Horizon is one of the most notable oil rig explosions in recent history.
Fires
Fires are more common than explosions. In 2022, there were 126 fires reported on offshore rigs. Petroleum is highly combustible, especially when it is mixed with other hazardous substances. Workers are at risk of being burned in fires, but the oil rig fires release toxins that workers breathe as they wait for the fires to burn themselves out in many cases.
Machinery Accidents
Heavy machinery is used on oil rigs, including forklifts, drills, pipes, cranes, and more. Workers can be injured in caught-between and caught-in machinery accidents. Failure to maintain machinery increases the risk of machinery accidents on oil rigs.
Fatigue
Oil rig workers often work shifts exceeding eight hours for seven to 14 days in a row. Extreme fatigue is a factor in many oil rig accidents. However, oil rig workers can also be injured when they return to shore because they are exhausted from working on the oil rig. A study indicated that oil and gas workers are about 8.5 times more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle accident than workers in other industries.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Falls are a leading cause of death among oil and gas extraction workers. In addition to slips and trips, oil rig workers fall from elevated locations, which increases the risk of death and serious injury. Dangerous working conditions and lack of safety procedures can increase the risk of falls on oil rigs.
Other Dangers Oil Rig Workers Face
In addition to the above dangers of working on an oil rig in Texas, workers face hazards such as:
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Soft tissue injuries from repetitive motions and heavy lifting
- Electrocution and electrical accidents
- Severe burns
- Being struck by debris and other objects
- Drowning
Because oil rig accidents happen at sea, workers may not have access to the life-saving medical treatment other workers access after accidents on shore. Every second counts after an oil rig accident. If an oil rig worker does not receive prompt medical care, it increases the risk of life-altering impairments and death.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured in an Oil Rig Accident in Texas?
You could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages if you were injured in an oil rig accident in Texas. However, recovering compensation for oil rig injuries may not be easy. Oil and gas companies and their insurance providers do not have your best interest in mind. Instead, they seek to protect their best interests by limiting liability for injury claims.
Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries caused by an oil rig accident. Regardless of how minor you might view your injuries, report the accident to your employer immediately and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
Consult an undefeated Houston oil rig injury lawyer as soon as possible. Oil rig accident claims are complicated areas of law. An experienced oil rig accident attorney understands the issues involved in these cases and how to pursue wrongful death claims, personal injury cases, and workers’ comp claims after an oil rig injury.
An Undefeated Houston Oil Rig Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Case
An undefeated Houston oil rig injury attorney can help you navigate this complex process if you’ve been injured in an oil rig accident in Houston, Texas. An attorney can help you when you need trusted, experienced legal advice about an oil rig accident claim.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Oil Rig Injury Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact our Undefeated Oil Rig attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours