Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyer

The oil and gas industry is one of the most dangerous and hazardous work locations in the country, yet the services and goods it provides are vital. If you have suffered a devastating accident that has resulted in injuries or other forms of property damage in Texas, you may be receiving increasing medical bills while finding that you are unable to work. This can cause stressful financial hardship, and the need for a Permian Basin based accident attorney.

If you have suffered any kind of physical or emotional damage in an oilfield accident, you may be entitled to several forms of legal financial compensation. An attorney from The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. can assist you with these cases. We can review the exact nature and cause of your injuries and determine the correct course of legal action to take in order to mitigate any damages to your personal finances following an oilfield injury.

Commonly Sited Causes of Odessa, TX, Oilfield Accidents

Most often, the injuries that individuals suffer at an oilfield can be prevented and may not have happened if the company had followed safety protocol and the industry standards set forth to protect the health, safety, and well-being of employees. When these accidents occur, injured individuals or the loved ones of someone who has lost their life can bring forward a claim for compensation.

The most common causes of oilfield accidents in Odessa, Texas, include the following:

• The Failure of Adequate Training: It is an unfortunate occurrence when employees are rushed into the high-risk environment of an oilfield without first receiving the necessary training to ensure these individuals are kept safe. This isn’t just a minor oversight by companies or employers; it can result in devastating injuries and even death. When proper training is not received, employees can suffer serious harm.
• Failing to Provide Necessary Safety Equipment: In some cases, having certain safety equipment on hand, such as flame-retardant gloves or fall prevention systems, can make all the difference between maintaining the safety of workers or someone suffering a catastrophic injury or even a tragic fatality. Sometimes, when equipment is provided, it may be outdated or insufficient, leading to the risk for accidents to take place.
• Equipment Failures: Fatal accidents can take place when equipment malfunctions at an Odessa oilfield. These failures can often be traced back to negligent maintenance or oversight. If the oilfield operator does not take immediate steps to address equipment issues, it can cause devastating explosions which can result in both injury and death for those working on the oil rig itself.
• Accidents During Transportation: Traveling back and forth to and within an oilfield can be just as risky as the actual work on the rig itself. According to the CDC, 4 out of 10 oil and gas work deaths occur as a result of accidents involving motorized vehicles on the oilfield.
• Failing to Take Proper Precautions: A common type of work on oilfields is considered “hot work,” often involving activities such as welding. These kinds of work require strict safety protocol due to the presence of combustible gases and vapors that only require a single spark for a massive fire or explosion to occur. When these safety precautions are ignored either through negligence or recklessness, it can cause serious harm.
• Fires and Explosions: Certain other conditions can also contribute to fires and explosions, including:
  • Faulty or corroded batteries
  • Incorrectly stored substances of toxic chemicals
  • Ungrounded electrical wiring
• Fatigue and Exhaustion: Oilfields can be demanding places of work. Overtime is an industry standard, and many individuals can face long shifts. These conditions can push employees beyond their physical and mental limits, causing fatigue and exhaustion. These variables can affect concentration and cause poor reaction times, increasing the chances for accidents to occur.
• Exposure to Certain Substances or Gasses: One of the most lethal hazards in the oil and gas industry is the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. Exposure to this substance can cause fatalities within a matter of minutes if the concentration of the exposure is high enough. However, even exposure to lower levels of this substance can result in long-term neurological damage to one’s body. Other toxic substances may include:
  • Benzene
  • Asbestos
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Nitrogen oxide
  • Silica
  • Xylene
• Electrocution: When any mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical energy is not controlled on an oilfield, this can lead to electrocution of workers. These hazards may be evident by any tripped circuit breakers, blown fuses, warm wires, or worn or frayed insulation or wire connections. These accidents can cause severe internal organ or nerve damage, burns, and even the loss of sight or hearing.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: There are many industries in which workers can suffer a slip, trip, or fall, which can result in injury. Workers on oil rigs may suffer a fall if harnesses are not up to code or are unprovided. They type of accident can also occur if the worksite is slippery and has uneven surfaces, or there is debris scattered in walkways. The workplace also might have unsecured ladders on climbing rigs, or an individual might trip over loose wires.

If you believe any number of these factors led to the accident you have suffered at an Odessa oilfield in which you became injured, The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. is here to help.

Aggressive Representation in Pursuit of a Fair Outcome

If you decide you wish to pursue compensation for any injuries suffered due to an oilfield accident, NO MATTER THE CAUSE, The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. is here to assist you and offer legal guidance and support. Typically, when an accident like this takes place, the oil company or service employer will perform a required investigation, but this does not mean that they will treat you fairly or ensure you are given a fair settlement. This is where our firm can assist you.

Filing the necessary claims and required paperwork in these cases can be complex and time-consuming. You deserve an attorney who can handle these essential legal duties while you focus on your rest and recovery. When you hire an attorney from The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., we can work toward obtaining a fair settlement or fair outcome in the following ways:

• Investigating the cause of your accident and collecting the necessary evidence to prove your claim
• Taking photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries to be used as evidence
• Collecting, analyzing, and organizing any documentation applicable to your case, such as medical bills, income statements, accident reports, etc.
• Conducting interviews with possible eyewitnesses to the accident and recording their statements
• Identifying the exact cause of your accident and any contributing factors
• Assisting in determining the parties liable for the accident, such as your employer, their insurance company, or the manufacturer of any defective or malfunctioning equipment
• Assisting you in identifying your damages and the overall value of compensation you deserve to recover these damages
• Consulting with individuals such as accident reconstruction specialists who can ascertain the exact nature of your accident and who might be at fault
• Filing a personal injury or workers compensation claim if we deem it necessary
• Arguing in defense of your claim and offering representation in a courtroom should litigation prove necessary

Since 1988, our firm has been practicing law in the state of Texas. We are experienced in both personal injury cases and situations involving workers’ compensation. When you hire our team to assist you with your claim, you can rest assured knowing you have the right people fighting for you. We have lawyers with decades of experience with oilfield injuries and we have represented clients in every manner of injuries experienced in the oil industry.

Leading Injuries Seen in Texas Oilfield Accidents

When a preventable accident occurs in an Odessa oilfield, workers will most likely not have enough time to react to the situation. This can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. To put it plainly, this is an industry that comes with severe risk.

The most common injuries seen in oilfield accidents can include the following:

• Injuries to the respiratory system
• Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs
• Broken or fractured bones
• Injuries to the body’s soft tissues
• Amputations or injuries requiring medical amputations
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Herniated discs
• Fractured vertebrae
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations or puncture wounds
• Concussions
• Paralysis
• Thermal, electrical, or chemical burns
• Certain forms of cancer due to long-term exposures
• Severe cuts or bruises

Like all other industries, employers of oilfield workers have a responsibility to protect their workers from unreasonably unsafe working conditions. However, when certain safety rules and regulations are broken, it can lead to the suffering of serious injuries by employees on the oil rig. Some injuries, while not necessarily fatal, can lead to long-term impairments such as chronic pain, permanent disabilities, or a lower quality of life. Even when your employer follows every safety protocol, you may still be able to recover.

Damages Recoverable Following an Odessa Oilfield Accident

At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., our attorneys understand that suffering a severe and traumatic injury at an Odessa oilfield can require extensive medical care and possibly for the rest of your life. We also know that these injuries can change your ability to perform the necessary duties of your employment. This is why we wish to help our clients receive the financial recoveries they deserve for what they have suffered.

If you have been injured in a Texas oilfield accident, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses such as those for surgeries, medications, medical devices, or transportation to and from the hospital or doctor’s office
• Future anticipated medical costs
• The loss of wages
• The loss of the ability to earn a future wage
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Any physical disfigurement or impairment
• In cases of death, wrongful death compensation for the family members who have lost a loved one, such as for funeral or burial costs

FAQs

Speak with an Experienced Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury at their place of work at an Odessa oilfield, you may be able to seek financial compensation for the damages sustained. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. can help. Contact us today for more information.