Drilling for oil and gas is a dangerous job. As such, serious oilfield accidents can occur causing catestrophic injuries and even death. On drilling rigs, and on completed oil and gas wells where workover operations are conducted, proper care of both equipment and personnel must be a priority in order for the work place to be as safe as possible. Any carelessness, shortfall in training, delay in equipment maintenance or repair, faulty communication, or lapse in safety procedure implementation and adherence at the drilling site can lead to serious injury or death of the worker. Oil rig drilling accidents resulting in injury or death claims can include, falling equipment, accidents from broken or worn out tools, couplings, entanglement, toxic chemical & gas exposures, fires, explosions, valve failures, equipment malfunctions, blowouts and even derrick & rig collapses.

Oilfield Accident Investigation

Since injuries sustained in the oil field are frequently severe and disabling, injured workers are often prevented from returning to work and earning a living and therefore the injured oilfield worker or family must quickly determine what legal options are available. Because employers are not required by law to have in place a system through which one's entire lost wages can be recovered other than workers compensation, the injured worker may need to hire an attorney to assist in determining the circumstances of a particular oilfield or drilling rig accident and identity the negligent or responsible parties, companies and other third (3rd) parties that may have caused or contributed to the accident. Once an oilfield employee is injured or on workers compensation, that employee is often shunned and is ignored by the employer and sometimes even by co-employees, therefore making an independent investigation very burdensome and often impossible. It is for these reasons that hiring a oilfield accident lawyer that can represent your interests and conduct an investigation for your benefit is critical. Waiting for your employer's accident report or for the OSHA report can take 6-12 months or longer, meanwhile important evidence or equipment is being lost or even destroyed.