Oilfield work is dangerous employment that puts workers in hazardous environments with conditions that leave them extremely vulnerable to accidents and injuries. The presence of unstable chemicals, heavy equipment, high scaffolding, and long hours can contribute to catastrophic injuries and even death for workers. Severe injuries can cause long-term disabilities that leave injured workers unable to earn a living or support their families while facing high medical bills.
For over forty years, the personal injury accident lawyers at The Fitzgerald Law Firm have obtained justice for their clients through personal injury and wrongful death claims in cases across the United States. Our skilled team has decades of experience helping injured workers understand their legal rights and in assisting grieving families to hold responsible parties accountable for unsafe conditions. Jim Fitzgerald, our founding partner, gained firsthand knowledge of the inherently dangerous hazards of oilfield work during his time working in Wyoming oilfields. This experience, combined with our team’s decades of knowledge and skill, enables us to handle oilfield accident claims effectively.
Most oilfield accidents are generally preventable and largely caused by human error due to unsafe drilling practices, poor maintenance, or defective equipment. The number of accidents in the oil and gas extraction industry is high, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recording over 81,000 accidents in 2020 that led to injury or death. From 2019 to 2023, the fatality rate for workers in the industry averaged around 73 deaths per year, according to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most common types of accidents on an oil rig are due to:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents cause common injuries and deaths in the oil and gas industry. Workers use large machinery and vehicles on job sites to transport materials to and from the site, operate drills, and load heavy materials. Oilfield companies are responsible for ensuring workers follow vehicle safety rules and that their vehicles are properly licensed, maintained, in working order, and inspected regularly.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
One of the oilfield industry’s leading causes of death is slips, trips, and falls, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Workers in an oil field are most often performing work on high platforms and equipment where slick surfaces caused by oil, debris, and other compounds can cause dangerous conditions that lead to accidents. Oilfield companies must ensure that their environments are safe, safety precautions are in place, and that workers use the proper tools and equipment, such as safety harnesses, to prevent falls and catastrophic injuries.
Exposure to Flammable Chemicals or Environmental Factors
The hazardous nature of working in an oilfield creates dangerous environments that can impact the health and safety of oilfield workers. The presence of combustible and harmful gases like hydrogen sulfide, benzene, silica, radioactive material, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride, and nitrogen oxide can cause fires, explosions, and major long-term health complications. It is essential for companies to provide their workers with proper protective equipment and maintain safe working conditions along with thorough training to ensure all employees are protected.
Defective or Poorly Maintained Equipment
Oilfield equipment can cause serious hazards and must be properly maintained to prevent failures that can lead to fires, gas leaks, or explosions. Oilfield companies must continuously assess and properly maintain equipment such as scaffolding, guardrails, and walkways to ensure it is safe and reliable, protecting workers from preventable accidents. Manufacturing companies also must ensure their products are free of manufacturing or design defects so that machinery is functional and safe to use.
Failure to follow Safety Regulations
When oilfield companies ignore safety standards to cut corners for productivity, they significantly increase the probability of catastrophic accidents and injuries. Companies are required to follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, laws, and ordinances established by the United States Department of Labor to ensure the safety of workers. When these standards and regulations are ignored, oilfield companies can be held liable if workers are injured.
Poorly Trained Workers
Oilfield companies must ensure that workers receive adequate training to prevent accidents. Workers, supervisors, and employees need to understand the extraction process, operate equipment safely, recognize potential hazards, and learn safety protocols to minimize risks. Poorly trained or inexperienced workers can become a liability, endangering themselves or others on the rig and leading to potentially tragic circumstances.
Wyoming Oil Field Accident and Fatality Attorneys
The oil and gas industry remains one of the most hazardous fields for workers, with a fatality rate seven times that of most other industries. Once your medical needs are addressed, securing experienced legal representation is crucial to protecting your rights. At the Fitzgerald Law Firm, our skilled team brings over forty years of experience handling complex personal injury claims, along with firsthand knowledge of the challenges of working in the oilfield. We hold the record for the largest verdicts ever upheld on appeal in Wyoming for injuries and wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in an oil field accident, we can help you seek fair compensation and begin rebuilding your future.
Contact our personal injury firm today to discuss your case.