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The legal team of trial lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, represents accident victims and is one of the only firms with knowledge of maritime law willing to pursue oil rig accident cases throughout the entire United States.
Texas leads the nation in oil industry-related deaths, with 219 fatalities reported from 2014 to 2019, according to a CDC study. In 2023, there were 203 injuries and no fatalities in offshore incidents.
The leading causes of oil rig accidents include vehicle crashes, being struck by objects, and explosions. The Permian Basin, which produces 40% of the nation’s oil, accounted for 30% of these deaths.
Despite a slight decrease in incidents in 2023, the risks remain high, with 966 recordable incidents, 263 lost-time incidents, and 10 fatalities reported. Understanding your rights is crucial if you’ve been injured in the oil and gas industry.
Table Of Contents
How Do Oil Rig Accidents Occur?
- Explosions and Fires
Gulf of Mexico, 2010: The Deepwater Horizon explosion resulted in 11 fatalities and billions in damages. From 2015 to 2020, there were 17 fires on offshore drilling rigs in the United States. - Equipment Failures
Houston, 2017: A well blowout caused by equipment failure resulted in a $9 million jury award for an injured worker. - Transportation Accidents
Gulf of Mexico, 2007: The Usumacinta jack-up rig collided with a platform during evacuation, resulting in 22 fatalities. - Chemical Exposure
Chemicals can cause rashes, burns, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues. They account for a significant portion of oil rig injuries. - Structural Failures
Saudi Arabia, 2002: The Arabdrill 19 jack-up rig collapsed due to a buckled leg, causing a blowout, fire, and 3 fatalities.
Related Article: Oil Rig Accident Lawsuit Update
The Most Common Causes of Offshore Rig Accidents
Like many preventable accidents involving the industry, oil rig explosions often result from defective equipment, unsafe drilling procedures, improper maintenance, and a failure to follow standard safety practices:
1. Fires
Even the smallest spark from a welding tool or other sources can ignite flammable liquids if allowed to come into contact with any volatile gases or liquids on oil rigs.
Explosions may erupt as the flames spread to storage tanks, pipelines, and other infrastructure holding or carrying hazardous substances.
Fire Prevention Regulations:
- NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
- OSHA 1910.106: Flammable Liquids
OSHA Violation Statistics:
- In 2023, oil and gas companies were cited over 95 times for electrical or hazardous energy violations[4].
Recent Texas Fire Incidents:
- July 2024: Grady County oilfield explosion injured 4 workers[3].
- August 2024: Duchesne County oil rig explosion critically injured one worker[6].
Related Article: Haynesville Shale Drilling Accident
2. Well Blowouts
A blowout occurs when a well’s pressure control system fails, resulting in an uncontrolled release of oil, gas, and debris from the well. Any accidental spark that comes in contact with escaping gas can trigger an explosion during a blowout, resulting in workers tragically killed.
3. Inadequate Training
An inadequately trained worker is a danger to everyone on an oil rig. But while oil operators should ensure that all employees meet the specific training requirements for operating heavy equipment, a shortage of experienced workers, combined with the rush to produce, often leads companies to bring on new hires before they’ve received the training needed to safely perform their jobs.
Texas-Specific Oil Rig Regulations
The Railroad Commission of Texas oversees oil and gas operations in the state. In 2024, they proposed the first new rules for oilfield waste in 40 years, including:
- Requiring operators to register waste pits with regulators
- Stricter requirements for reserve pits
- Potential new groundwater protection measures
However, some industry groups have pushed back on certain provisions, arguing they could be too costly for smaller companies.
Permian Basin vs Gulf Coast Accidents
- The Permian Basin accounted for 148 fatalities between 2014-2019, the highest of any region.
- The Western Gulf Basin had 74 fatalities during the same period.
- Despite producing 40% of the nation’s oil supply, the Permian Basin only accounted for 30% of industry-related deaths.
Independent Contractors vs Employee Rights
Oil rig workers’ rights depend on their employment status:
- Employees may be covered under maritime laws like the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
- Independent contractors may have more limited options and need to pursue third-party claims.
Maritime Law in Texas Oil Rig Cases
Several maritime laws apply to offshore oil rig accidents in Texas:
- The Jones Act allows injured seamen to sue employers for negligence
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits for certain maritime workers
- The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act covers many offshore oil rig injuries, with a two-year statute of limitations in Texas.
Recent Texas Oil Rig Accident Settlements
While specific oil rig settlements are not provided, recent Texas personal injury cases include:
- $37.5 million for a fatal truck accident (April 2024)
- $72 million for a fatal construction accident (April 2024)
- $26.5 million for a trucking accident involving children (July 2023)
These cases, while not specific to oil rigs, demonstrate the potential for significant compensation in serious injury cases in Texas.
Types of Available Compensation
If you’ve been injured in an oil rig accident in Texas, you may be entitled to various types of compensation:
1. Medical Expenses (Current and Future)
Compensation can cover emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and specialist consultations.
2. Lost Wages and Benefits
You may recover past and future lost income, including diminished earning capacity or complete loss of earning capacity due to disability caused by the oilfield accident.
3. Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages can include compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident.
4. Disability Compensation
If the injury leads to permanent disability, you may be entitled to compensation for physical impairments and disfigurements. This can be especially significant for oil rig workers who earn high wages.
5. Family Support
In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members may be able to recover damages for loss of financial support.
How We Help Oil and Gas Workers Pursue Compensation After a Drilling Rig Accident
The oil rig accident lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, know how hard maritime workers work every day. We believe that oil rig workers injured should have adequate financial compensation for medical treatment. When you come to us for help with your oil rig explosion case, a personal injury lawyer will:
Walk Oilfield Accident Victims Through the Legal Process
The process of filing for compensation an offshore worker faces after an oil rig accident against petrochemical companies can be quite complicated, as there is a considerable amount of commitment involved.
The safety regulations that govern offshore injuries and for those tragically killed (i.e. Harbor Workers Compensation Act) were written more than 50 years ago, and the agencies that process a wrongful death claim tend to move quite slowly.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer with a proven track record, one of the first things we will do is sit down and walk you through this complex legal process.
When the accident lawyer is finished, you should have a much clearer understanding of how your case is likely to play out when seeking compensation.
As you work through your offshore platform accident case, you will almost certainly need to make some difficult decisions regarding medical expenses.
If you can consistently make the right moves with the help of a skilled accident lawyer, you may be able to boost your chances of achieving a favorable outcome in your personal injury case.
Having practiced maritime law for many years, the attorneys at Schmidt & Clark have dealt with all the tricky choices you will likely encounter during your case.
Whenever you aren’t sure what to do, a personal injury lawyer will be by your side to provide astute legal advice to those severely injured.
Handle All Paperwork
When an injured worker attempts to claim compensation after an accident on an oil rig, it can require a lot of paperwork. From filing the initial claim to requesting medical records from your physician, the administrative work associated with such a case can sometimes seem never-ending.
Our team of experienced attorneys and paralegals have been processing crude oil rig accident and land-based oil well claims for years.
As such, we have the bandwidth to handle the paperwork for just about any case, no matter how complex it may be. When you work for us, we will handle the entire administrative load of your case.
Would you like an accident lawyer to help you fight for the compensation you deserve for your personal injury? Then why not pick up the phone and call us to set up a free consultation with our law offices? Our team would love to meet with you to discuss your case in greater detail.
Related Articles:
- Texas Land Rig Explosion Attorneys
- Oil Rig Blowouts (Everything to Know)
- Complete List of Oil Refineries in Texas
FAQs
What should I do if I or a loved one is injured in an oil rig accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, report the incident to your employer, document the scene and injuries, and consult with an attorney specializing in oil rig accidents to discuss your legal options.
Can I sue my employer if I am injured in an oil rig accident?
Yes, you can sue your employer if negligence or unsafe working conditions contributed to the accident. Workers’ compensation may also be available, but a lawsuit can provide additional compensation for damages.
What compensation can I receive from an oil rig accident lawsuit?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and other related damages. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.
See all the personal injury and accident lawsuits our lawyers have taken on.
Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Law Firm
The oil rig accident attorneys at Schmidt & Clark, LLP are dedicated to protecting the rights of severely injured oilfield workers, and our experienced personal injury lawyers are willing to handle oil rig explosion litigation throughout the entire United States.
Again, if you or a loved one has suffered oil field injuries, you should contact our oil field accident lawyers immediately by using the form below or calling an accident lawyer toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Injured oil rig workers and offshore workers may be able to seek compensation for lost wages and medical bills from an oil company in a personal injury lawsuit and an oil field injury lawyer can help.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: