Louisiana Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawyer

History of Oil and Gas in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast

The first successful oil well in Louisiana was drilled in a rice field in a town called Jennings in September 1901. It was known as the Heywood #1 Jules Clement well, and it was drilled to a depth of 1,700 feet deep. The Heywood #1 Jules Clement strike sparked an oil rush in Louisiana; wells sprang up all over the state after the find. By 1905, over 6,000,0000 barrels of crude had been produced. The oil was priced at 0.72 cents per barrel, which created a huge sum of money totaling 4.3 million dollars.

The current oil and gas industry in Louisiana is a major economic and industrial force. The petroleum industry accounts for nearly one-quarter of the state’s total revenues or about 1.2 billion dollars. The petroleum industry provides jobs for over 116,000 people or approximately 6% of the state’s total workforce. This 6% earns almost 12% of the total wages earned in Louisiana or about 4.34 billion dollars.

Related Article: Oil Field Accident Lawsuit Update

Louisiana Energy Quick Facts

• Louisiana ranks 3rd in the U.S. in natural gas production and proved reserves. The state accounts for about 9% of total natural gas production and holds about 8% of the nation’s natural gas reserves.
• Louisiana’s 14 oil refineries provide almost 20% of America’s refining capacity and can process more than 3 million barrels of crude oil per day.
• In 2021, Louisiana shipped more than half of the country’s liquefied natural gas exports and about 13% of its coal exports.
• Louisiana’s total energy consumption ranks 4th in the U.S., and its per capita energy consumption is 2nd due to its energy-intensive chemical, petroleum, and natural gas industries.
• Louisiana has the 2nd highest per capita residential electricity consumption in the United States. More than 6 in 10 Louisiana households rely on electric heating and almost all households are fitted with air conditioning units.

Oil Platform Fire Off Louisiana Coast Leaves Workers Missing

An oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico operated by Black Elk Energy caught fire in November 2012, leaving at least 2 people missing and badly injuring nearly 2 dozen others, according to Reuters [1.]. When it caught fire, 22 workers were aboard the shallow-water platform, which was not drilling or producing oil at the time.

Eleven workers were airlifted to hospitals and 9 others were evacuated to other energy plants in the area near Grand Isle, Louisiana. The 11 hurt included 4 who suffered burns and were in critical condition at Louisiana’s West Jefferson Medical Center, the Coast Guard said.

Related Article: 5 Main Types of Offshore Oil Rig Platforms

Oil Platform Worker Killed Near Lake Charles, Louisiana

An oil worker on a platform in the Gulf of Mexico died in February 2018 as piping was being replaced on the scaffolding. The employee was severely injured as equipment for fire suppression was being taken off the platform, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The worker later died. The accident occurred about 64 miles off the coast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. A subsidiary of the parent company was operating the platform at the time of the incident.

How Do I Know Who Is Responsible for My Oil Field Accident?

In many cases where an oil field injury occurs, it may not be immediately obvious who is at fault because negligence is not a direct action. Most people only see the consequences rather than the negligence that caused the accident. The job of our Louisiana oil field injury lawyers is to investigate your case with other industry experts to determine who is at fault for your injuries. Regardless of who is found to be responsible, we can help you develop a case.

How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?

Different states have different time limits, or statutes of limitations, in which oil field injury cases may be filed. In Louisiana, you only have 1 year to file a claim under the state’s statute of limitations. The Louisiana statute of limitations allows a maximum of 1 year from the day the injury occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit.

FAQs

What are third-party claims in oil field accidents?
Third-party claims involve seeking compensation from entities other than your employer, such as equipment manufacturers or subcontractors. These claims can provide additional compensation.

How can an attorney help with my oil field accident case?
An attorney can help gather evidence, navigate legal procedures, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. They ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

What are the long-term impacts of oil field accident injuries?
Long-term impacts can include chronic pain, disability, psychological trauma, and financial difficulties due to inability to work. Adequate compensation is crucial to address these challenges.

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Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Louisiana 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 Louisiana and throughout the entire United States.

Again, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an oilfield accident in Louisiana, 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.