While oilfields are inherently dangerous, this does not excuse employers’ and property owners’ obligation to maintain a safe working environment that minimizes dangers to oilfield workers. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an oilfield accident, contact an Oklahoma City oilfield accident lawyer to learn about your legal options for seeking justice and financial compensation.
Common Types of Oilfield Accidents
Oilfield accidents can take many forms, including:
- Fires and explosions
- Equipment malfunctions
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Slips and falls
Each of these accidents represents a unique legal proposition and requires the experience of a skilled oilfield accident lawyer.
Common Reasons for Oilfield Accidents
Oilfield accidents can occur for various reasons, including:
- Inexperienced workers: Workers may be drawn to the higher salaries this job represents, but because the job is physically draining and dangerous, workers may be new to the industry and inexperienced. They may make mistakes that cause harm to others around them.
- Improper safety training: Employers may fail to provide proper safety training to their workers, which could have otherwise prevented the accident from occurring.
- Lack of equipment maintenance: Oilfields may have cranes, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment. If this equipment is not properly maintained, it can cause serious accidents that injure workers.
- Negligence from supervisors or other workers: Supervisors or other workers may act carelessly, causing your injuries.
- Slick floors: Floors may be slick from floors, rain, or debris, leading to dangerous slip and fall hazards.
What Types of Injuries Occur in Oilfield Accidents?
Oilfield accidents can result in serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Crush injuries
Unfortunately, many oilfield accidents result in fatalities. In these situations, surviving family members can seek to hold the responsible party accountable with a wrongful death claim.
What Type of Compensation Is Available After an Oilfield Accident?
Workers who are injured on the job can typically recover workers’ compensation benefits, which provide medical benefits and wage replacement benefits. You must notify your employer immediately of your injuries and file a workers’ compensation claim with the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission within one year of your injury to preserve your right to collect these benefits.
Additionally, you may have a viable legal claim against a party other than your employer against whom you can file a personal injury claim, such as a property owner, driver, contractor, or product manufacturer. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the full extent of your injuries, including:
- Medical expenses
- Full compensation for your lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical disability and impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Our OKC Oilfield Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you suffered an injury on an oilfield, the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can help. Contact us online or call us at (405) 310-8800 today to arrange a free case review with an experienced personal injury attorney.