Common Midland & Odessa Oilfield Accidents
Oilfield work is filled with heavy equipment, dangerous substances, and other serious hazards. Employers are required to protect workers from these hazards, even if the task is daunting and expensive.
Common Midland-Odessa oilfield accidents include:
- Explosions, Fires & Toxic Exposure
Working with crude oil and natural gas means workers are consistently at risk of fires, explosions, and being in contact with dangerous substances. Even the smallest spark can cause a serious life-altering explosion. Poor planning, inadequate training, and a lack of properly working equipment are usually the cause of these accidents. - Slip & Fall Accidents
Oilfield workers need to be protected from slip and falls because one normal mistake can result in wrongful death or serious injury. Employers can mitigate risks by making sure worksites are properly maintained and designed. - Falling Objects
Since working from a height isn’t rare, site operators must ensure workers are protected from falling objects. The fast pace of work means heavy objects might come crashing down without enough time for workers to find safety. - Malfunctioning Equipment
When equipment doesn’t work, it can be catastrophic. Malfunctioning equipment can cause blowouts, explosions, and more. Unfortunately, many employers risk accidents instead of maintaining equipment to save money.
West Texas Gas Truck Accidents Are Increasingly Common
As the Permian Basin attracted unprecedented amounts of workers to a rural area, its small roads have been unable to safely accommodate the influx of traffic on them. Oil tankers, commuting workers, and other vehicles related to oil production have created unforeseen dangers on the roads near oilfields. Now, about 450 traffic fatalities happen on the roads near the Permian Basin. Why do these gas truck accidents happen? Besides roads that weren't designed to handle significant amounts of traffic, oilfield workers are often exhausted while driving. Long shifts and physically demanding work cause many drivers to be dangerously exhausted as they drive to and from the oilfield.
Inexperienced oilfield truck and 18-wheeler drivers can also cause serious injuries and deaths when they are involved in collisions. In fact, it's estimated that about 40% of all oilfield deaths are related to truck accidents. Whether these accidents are caused by inexperience, poorly maintained vehicles, or fatigue, the results are the same: they cause catastrophic harm and claim lives across Midland-Odessa and the Permian Basin.
Injuries Caused by Odessa & Midland Oilfield Accidents
Oilfield injuries are often serious because of the dangerous and violent nature of the accidents. Often, workers who sustain these injuries sustain life-changing trauma that alters their ability to work and even perform daily activities.
Midland oilfield accident injuries include:
After a person sustains an injury at an oilfield worksite, they deserve compensation for their injuries. Companies are required to prevent accidents at their oilfield sites, and the occurrence of one is a sign of negligence. No one should suffer because of preventable accidents, and they deserve help after one.
Odessa oilfield workers and their families can seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- The cost of future care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral costs
- Loss of consortium
- And more
What You Should Do After an Oilfield Accident in Midland
Midland, Odessa, Pecos, and the surrounding communities are home to Permian Basin oilfield workers and their families. These good people sometimes face the worst situations because of preventable accidents at oilfields and processing plants. When this happens, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn.
After an oilfield accident:
- Get medical attention.
You should see a doctor as soon as possible after any type of oilfield accident. Sometimes serious injuries can appear mild or minor just because shock and adrenaline are coursing through your body. Get medical attention and tell your doctor what happened so they know what type of injury to look for. - Report your injury.
You'll need to tell your employer. Try to keep it simple and stick to the facts, without letting your emotions or opinion enter. Inform your employer, in writing, and keep a copy for your records. This could prove useful later. - Follow your treatment plan.
You will need to follow your doctor's orders and treatment plan, attend all your appointments, and take any medicine that's prescribed to you. This will be a key part of healing and showing your employer that you are taking your recovery seriously. If you are unhappy with your treatment, remember that you have the right to seek a second opinion or see a specialist! Your health should always come first. - Don't accept sign anything until you've talked to an attorney!
After oilfield accidents, some companies try to limit their liability or avoid paying high claims by getting injured workers to accept low settlements or sign statements that limit their recovery. Don't sign anything or accept a settlement until you've had a lawyer review your case. You deserve full compensation for your injuries.
No one should minimize your injuries, pressure you into returning to work before you feel ready, or make you accept a settlement that doesn't fully cover your losses. At Arnold & Itkin, we take oilfield accidents seriously.
Our injury attorneys fight for our clients inside and outside of the courtroom, helping them secure the types of recoveries that help them rebuild and create stable futures for themselves and their families.
