Houston Oil Rig Accident Attorneys
Hurt in an Oil Drilling Accident? We Help Injured Workers Nationwide.
Oil drilling is one of the biggest industries in Texas. This sector of our state's economy employs both onshore and offshore workers for crude petroleum exploration, drilling, and completion of wells as well as the operation of a variety of equipment that is used to prepare oil up to the point of shipment to a refinery. Unfortunately, this industry is also one of the most dangerous in Texas. Blowouts occur on offshore drilling rigs and land-based oil wells, leading to serious and often fatal burns. Injuries and deaths can also result from defective or poorly maintained equipment, machinery, and pipelines. Drilling industry workers also face the risk of falls from great heights, such as from derricks.
Drilling for Offshore Oil Is One of the Most Dangerous Jobs
At any moment, a variety of things can go wrong. Workers are expected to do their jobs for 12 hours a day for up to 2 weeks. Not only is this exhausting, but the job comes with other inherent dangers. Seamen are often required to handle combustible materials with cranes swinging overhead. Heavy equipment is everywhere. Even though employers are obligated to make work conditions as safe as possible, navigating the deck can easily turn from dangerous to disastrous. Hard hats and steel-toed boots are mandatory—and for good reason.
Serious oil rig accidents are not necessarily common, but when they do occur, they can easily become catastrophic. Although large disasters are usually averted, smaller accidents can be devastating for workers. Maritime workers are at high risk of spinal cord injuries, slip and falls, traumatic brain injuries, and a variety of other accidents. The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined oil companies millions because of unsafe working conditions; many people remain concerned about the dangers of working on an oil rig.
Common Oil Drilling Accidents & Injuries
- Sparks from equipment igniting flammable liquids and triggering explosions
- Well blowouts, explosions, and fires in production tanks
- Being struck by swinging pipes, casing, or cables
- Getting crushed by loads of cargo or heavy equipment
- Hands or feet getting caught in machinery
- Equipment failing because of improper maintenance
- Falls from derricks, unsecured ladders, platforms, hoists, slippery stairways, and unguarded heights
Oil Rig Accident FAQ
What injuries can be caused by oil rig accidents?
An accident on an oil rig may cause catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. These may include severe burns, crush injuries, and drownings or near-drownings caused by rig fires and explosions. Other injuries may include broken bones, back injuries, internal organ damage, head trauma, and loss of limb. The type and severity of an oil rig worker’s injuries will depend on the type of accident and many other factors, such as the type of work being performed, whether heavy machinery/equipment was involved, and whether the worker had the right safety gear.
Because oil rig injuries have the potential to be life-altering, it’s important to understand your rights and options so you can seek the medical care and financial support you deserve. That’s where our team at Arnold & Itkin comes in.
What rights do I have if I was injured on an oil rig?
If you were injured on an oil rig, remember that you have the right to medical treatment from the doctor and facility of your choice. You also have the right to report your injury to your employer and to seek benefits or compensation without fear of retaliation (such as demotion or termination). You have the right to fully heal and should not return to work until cleared by your doctor to do so. If your employer or another party was responsible for your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical treatment, ongoing care, lost income, and more. Make sure your rights are fully protected by involving our determined, proven team of attorneys at Arnold & Itkin.
What causes oil rig accidents?
Working on a rig is dangerous, with 12-hour shifts and exhausting manual labor, not to mention dealing with combustible substances and heavy equipment and machinery. Even the journey by helicopter or boat to an offshore rig can be dangerous. Oil rig accidents may be caused by overlooked safety standards, aging equipment, carelessness, or poor rig maintenance. Workers shouldn’t have to deal with unsafe working conditions, but many do every single day—until they’re seriously injured in preventable accidents. If you were injured, let our team determine the cause of your accident so we can seek justice on your behalf. We’re here to help.
Representing the Victims of Catastrophic Oil Rig Explosions
Arguably the worst type of oil rig accident, oil rig explosions, have caused some of the most awful maritime accidents in the history of the world. There are also hundreds of minor explosions that oil rig employees have suffered. While these do not make headlines, many people are killed or injured in these blasts. The unfortunate truth about these explosions is that the workers and families affected by these blasts are less likely to seek legal help because they are pressured by the responsible maritime company to “stay faithful” to the business. Some maritime employers have a history of treating explosion victims’ onsite where employees are incorrectly diagnosed to cover up the company’s responsibility to their employee. An employee should never assume that they are helping their coworkers by keeping quiet about an oil rig explosion.
Some notable oil rig explosions in history include:
- Deepwater Horizon Explosion: Killed 11 & Injured 17
- Petrobras Enchova Explosion: Killed 42
- Occidental Piper Alpha Explosion: Killed 167
- Petrobras P-36 Explosion: Killed 11
When companies are not held accountable for small oil explosions, they will be alright with forgoing safety standards until an explosion affects their business. If you are interested in legal help regarding your oil rig explosion case, contact our firm immediately.
Call Our Texas Oil Drilling Accident Lawyers at (888) 493-1629
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are devoted to helping victims of oil rig accidents get the financial compensation they deserve. If you have suffered a burn injury, skull fracture, or amputation/limb loss injury and you believe another person's carelessness or negligence caused the accident, we want to help you understand your rights. Have you suffered any kind of serious injury while working on an oil rig? Our law firm is here to look out for your best interests and fight for the legal protections that you deserve. Call now for a free review of your case.
At Arnold & Itkin, we help people from coast to coast fight for fair compensation:
- We have recovered billions of dollars for our clients.
- We have won cases in more than 40 different states.
- We have been selected for multiple Super Lawyers® lists.
- Attorneys Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold are members of The Inner Circle of Advocates.
- We are members of the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®.
Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation. Let us demand justice on your behalf so you can face a brighter future.
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