Oklahoma Oil Field Injury Lawyers

From 2008 to 2017, 1,566 workers died nationwide in oil and gas fields, and thousands were seriously hurt. Sadly, many of these accidents happen in Oklahoma, with nine men killed in the state’s oil fields between 2011 and 2012 alone. No matter the type of oil field injury, covering medical expenses and other bills while you are out of work can be daunting. 

Fortunately, many injured oil field workers have legal options to ease their financial burdens. You could be compensated if you or someone you love was injured or killed in an Oklahoma oil field. Nix Patterson’s oil field injury attorneys have recovered millions in personal injury and wrongful death cases for our clients. We may be able to do the same for you. 

Why Do Oil Field Accidents Happen? 

Common causes of Oklahoma oil field injuries include: 

Slip and Falls

Oil and gas workers often work high on oil rigs and other equipment. All it takes is one missed step to fall and seriously injure yourself. Many injured oil field workers file for workers’ compensation to seek payment for their medical bills and partial wages during recovery. 

Vehicle Accidents

One might think that an oil field accident always involves drilling and excavation work. However, one of the most common causes of oil field deaths is vehicle accidents. Almost 40% of workers who die in the oil fields involve transportation to and from the job site. 

Oil field workers often must drive long distances to the work site in a rural area. So, workers are at a higher risk of severe injuries during vehicle crashes. 

Equipment Malfunctions

Many kinds of equipment failures can produce hazardous conditions in an oil field. For example, oil and gas equipment pressure can fluctuate, leading to blowouts and injuring workers. It’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure all oil field equipment works properly. 

Fires and Explosions

Oil and gas are highly flammable. Workers are at high risk of severe or fatal injuries because of well fires and explosions. The Deepwater Horizon explosion and fire – $20.8 billion. Nix Patterson secured a large settlement for the State of Florida from British Petroleum, eventually recovering $2 billion. 

OSHA states that most fires and explosions in oil fields happen from sparks and heat from common sources: overheated equipment, cigarettes, power, welding tools, open flames, static, and friction. These sources can ignite highly flammable hydrogen sulfide, vapors, and gas. 

Crushing and Caught-By Accidents

Approximately 60% of oil field injuries are due to crushing, caught by, and struck by accidents. Enormous oil and gas equipment often have areas where employees can be caught, hit, or crushed. Many fatal crushing accidents happen when a negligent driver pins a worker against moving equipment. 

Ignoring Safety Regulations 

There are regulations in place in the oil and gas industry to ensure worker safety. However, some companies may put profits ahead of worker health, and the results can be tragic. 

Improper Employee Training

Some oil field accidents happen because employees aren’t correctly trained. Therefore, all oil field companies must provide all workers with sufficient training to do their jobs safely. 

How Can You Get Compensation in an Oklahoma Oil Field Accident? 

There are several kinds of significant Oklahoma oil field injury claims. The one that is best depends on the circumstances of the accident and who was involved: 

Workers’ Compensation Claim

You’re probably eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured while working in an oil field. Most Oklahoma employers must carry workers’ comp insurance. 

In a workers’ compensation claim, proving fault isn’t required, and the company typically must cover your medical expenses. However, your employer generally has to pay 70% of your wages during recovery. Therefore, you could receive workers’ compensation benefits even if the accident was your fault. 

You might be eligible for a workers’ comp death benefits claim if you lost a loved one in an oil field accident. The spouse and children of a deceased oil worker can receive burial and funeral expenses up to $10,000. You may also be eligible for  wage reimbursement, depending on whether the deceased was married and had children. 

Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you are an independent contractor and were hurt in an Oklahoma oil field, filing a personal injury lawsuit against the company is possible. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. 

Also, you can file a personal injury lawsuit if the company intentionally disregarded your safety. It also is possible in some cases to file a personal injury lawsuit if another worker caused an accident that led to your injuries or if a piece of equipment malfunctioned. Winning a personal injury claim depends on proving another party was negligent or reckless and caused your injuries. 

The spouse and children of a deceased worker who wasn’t an employee also may file a wrongful death lawsuit. You may be entitled to money for burial and funeral costs, mental anguish, lost income, and loss of companionship. 

Talk to an attorney to learn if filing a workers’ comp or personal injury claim is best for your situation. 

What to Do After an Oklahoma Oil Field Injury  

Oil field injuries can be severe. Taking the following suggested actions immediately can help preserve your rights: 

• Call 911 and report the oil field accident. 
• Take videos and photographs of your injuries and where the accident happened if you can. Take photos of equipment, machinery, tools, or vehicles that were part of the accident. Write down the names and contact information of witnesses. 
• Get prompt medical attention. You should go to the hospital or ER if you have serious injuries. Even if you believe the injuries are minor, having a doctor look you over to document injuries you might not feel immediately is essential. 
• Don’t talk to any insurance provider or company representative without consulting an Oklahoma oil field injury attorney first. 
• Do not make social media posts about your injury until the case is settled. 

Contact an Oklahoma Oil Field Injury Lawyer Today 

Our Nix Patterson oil field injury attorneys know how to recover damages for seriously injured workers and their families. Don’t think about going up against an oil company by yourself. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation about your Oklahoma oil field injury.