Rhode Island Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawsuit

Is There Oil in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has no crude oil reserves and does not produce or refine petroleum; however, the Port of Providence is a key hub for the distribution of petroleum products to southern New England. The Port of Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, and is New England’s second biggest deep-water seaport, handling cargoes like heavy machinery, petroleum, cement, chemicals, and scrap metal.

Related Article: Oil Field Accident Lawsuit Update

Are There Oil Rigs Off the Coast of Rhode Island?

Offshore drilling for oil and gas on the Atlantic coast took place from 1947 to the early 1980s. Oil companies drilled 5 wells in Atlantic Florida state waters and at least 51 exploratory wells on federal leases on the outer continental shelf of the Atlantic coast. None of the wells were found to produce oil. However, although no oil or gas has been produced from beneath U.S. Atlantic waters, there are active offshore fields to the south of Cuba and to the north in Canada.

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Does New England Have Natural Gas?

There are no natural gas reserves in New England. Gas is brought into the area primarily from the Appalachian region, the Gulf Coast, and Canada.

Related Article: Gas Field Worker Injury & Accident Lawsuit

Where Does Rhode Island Get its Energy?

Rhode Island’s electrical grid is connected to a larger regional power grid that consists of over 350 generating resources (natural gas, coal, and oil-fired power plants; hydroelectric dams; nuclear stations; biomass plants; and renewable energy units like wind and solar), and 8,000 miles of transmission lines.

Renewable Energy in Rhode Island

In 2021, about 13% of Rhode Island’s in-state electricity came from utility-scale and small-scale generating facilities that produced electricity from renewable energy sources, with more than 65% of that from solar energy. Hydropower supplied an additional small amount of Rhode Island’s total renewable electricity.

Rhode Island Energy Profile Facts

• In May 2017, the first offshore wind farm in the United States began operating off Block Island. Wind power provided 2% of Rhode Island’s electricity generation in 2021.
• Rhode Island consumes the 2nd-lowest amount of energy on a per capita basis and is among the 10 states that use the least amount of energy per dollar.
• Approximately one-third of Rhode Island households use heating oil as their primary source for heating, which is 7x more than the American average.
• In 2021, natural gas fueled nearly 90% of Rhode Island’s electricity net generation, the largest share of any state.
• Rhode Island is last in the U.S. in total petroleum consumption and 2nd-lowest in petroleum use on a per capita basis.

Fatal Workplace Accidents Reached 5-Year High in 2021: BLS Statistics

Nationwide workplace fatalities reached a 5-year-high in 2021, surpassing 5,000 deaths for the 5th time in 6 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 fatal occupational injury report [1.].

BLS said fatal workplace accidents increased nationwide by nearly 9% in 2021 compared to 2020. In 2021, at least 5,190 people died in work-related accidents compared to 4,764 people in 2020.

Additionally, the fatal occupational injury rate was 3.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, the highest number since 2016. To put these statistics into perspective, a person died on the job every 101 minutes in 2021.

FAQs

What types of compensation can I receive from an oil field accident lawsuit?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The specific amount depends on the individual circumstances of your case.

Who can be held liable for oil field accidents?
Liability for oil field accidents can extend to employers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and other third parties responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. An attorney can help identify all liable parties.

Can I join a class action lawsuit for oil field accident injuries?
You may be able to join a class action or file an individual lawsuit. Consulting with an attorney will help determine the best legal strategy based on your situation and the specifics of your case.

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

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