Iowa Oil Field Accident & Injury Attorney

Iowa’s Energy Profile

Iowa’s rolling plains have some of the richest farmland in the United States and significant renewable energy resources. The state’s climate, with rainfall in the growing season and dry air at harvest, produce abundant grain crops. Iowa leads the U.S. in the production of both corn and ethanol.

Unobstructed winds blow across Iowa’s open prairies, giving the state outstanding wind energy resources. With many days of sunshine each year, Iowa has solar energy potential as well. However, the state has few economically recoverable fossil energy reserves and no natural gas or coal production.

Is There Oil in Iowa?

To date, more than 100 exploration wells have been drilled in Iowa; however, just 3 have yielded oil, all in Washington County. Others have yielded encouraging signs and valuable information. Iowa’s first oil strike was from a well in Fremont County in 1925. The deepest oil test drilled was 17,851 feet in Carroll County in 1987, and while no crude was found, thick black shales suggest past formation and migration of potentially large volumes of oil.

Related Article: Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawsuit Update

Dakota Access Pipeline

The Dakota Access Pipeline, also known as the Bakken Pipeline, is a 1,172-mile-long underground pipeline that has the ability to transport up to 750,000 barrels of light-sweet crude oil per day. The pipe starts in the shale oil fields of the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and continues through Iowa and South Dakota to an oil terminal near Patoka, Illinois. The Dakota Access Pipeline transports 40% of the oil produced in the Bakken region.

How Much Ethanol is Made in Iowa?

Iowa is America’s leader in renewable fuel production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.5 billion gallons each year – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 11 biodiesel plants that are capable of producing 410 million gallons annually.

Iowa Oil Worker Killed in Mine Collapse

A mine worker at Linwood Mining and Mineral in Davenport, Iowa, was killed after a collapse that occurred in January 2017. The worker, 52-year-old Ronald Trich, Jr., was outside his truck in a remote part of the mine, which was not in operation, and was found buried under a rock. Trich was killed by the collapse and pronounced dead by the Scott County Medical Examiner after his body was recovered. Trich lived in Rock Island, Illinois, and was a mine truck operator who had worked at Linwood for 12 years.

Related Article: How Dangerous Is Oil Field Work?

Employer-Related Workplace Injuries in Iowa

Private industry employers in Iowa reported at least 34,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Iowa was among 19 states in 2021 that had an incidence rate of total recordable cases (TRC) significantly greater than the national rate of 2.7.

Iowa’s findings from the 2021 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses included:

• TRC incidence rates in private industry ranged from 0.6 in information to 4.4 in both manufacturing and education and health services.
• Manufacturing and trade, transportation, and utilities accounted for 71% of occupational injuries and illnesses:
• In private industry, the TRC injury and illness incidence rate ranged from 2.7 for establishments employing 11-49 workers to 3.9 for establishments employing 50 to 249 workers.
• Iowa’s private industry TRC rate of 3.3 in 2021, the same as the 2020 rate.

Am I Entitled to Workers’ Compensation After an Oil Field Injury?

Although Iowa does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, nearly all oil and gas companies offer this coverage to their employees. In most cases, injured oilfield workers must file injury reports within 1 month of the accident; however, our lawyers recommend reporting any potential chemical exposure or sudden injuries right away. Doing so will help preserve evidence of workplace hazards and identify potential witnesses.

Most injured workers may demand immediate, no-fault lost wages and medical benefits from their workers’ comp carrier. In exchange, the injured employee cannot file a lawsuit against his employer for personal injury damages. Workers’ compensation provides lost wage compensation to injured employees recovering from serious burns, heart attacks, or back injuries.

FAQs

How do I choose the right oil field accident injury lawyer in Iowa?

Look for a lawyer with experience in handling oil field accident cases, a successful track record, good communication skills, and a commitment to client advocacy. Initial consultations can help you determine if a lawyer is the right fit for your case.

What should I bring to my initial consultation with an oil field accident lawyer?

Bring any relevant documents, such as accident reports, medical records, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, witness contact information, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance companies.

Can I file a claim if I was injured in an oil field explosion in Iowa?

Yes, if you were injured in an oil field explosion, you may be entitled to compensation through workers’ compensation and possibly a personal injury lawsuit against third parties responsible for the explosion.

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Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Iowa Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawyers

The personal injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP have experience dealing with the rights of American oilfield workers, and we are one of the only firms willing to handle oilfield workplace accidents in Iowa and throughout the entire United States.

Again, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an oilfield accident in Iowa, you should contact our oil field accident lawyers immediately by using the form below or calling our law firm toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600 to schedule a free case review and legal options.

Clients may be able to recover fair compensation for medical expenses from an oil company in a lawsuit and a personal injury lawyer can help.