If you are a worker in the oil and gas industry in West Virginia who was injured on the job in a gas drilling rig accident, contact the Morgantown work accident attorneys at Robinette Legal Group, PLLC for legal advice. Our lawyers have experience with serious and catastrophic workplace accidents, as well as wrongful death lawsuits. We can help you and your family work through the legal process to fight for justice and the financial compensation you need to move on.
What Are Common Reasons for Gas Drilling Rig Injuries?
Drilling for oil and natural gas is no easy feat. It is a labor-intensive process that requires well-trained workers and properly working equipment. It involves volatile substances, toxic gases, and other hazards, such as heavy machinery and electrical components. Working in the oil and gas industry comes with many health and safety risks naturally. However, the risk of serious injuries and deaths increases when a drilling rig work area contains dangerous issues such as:
- Equipment design or manufacturing defects
- Drilling rig malfunctions
- Missing machine safety guards
- Poor equipment maintenance
- Corroded pipes or valves
- Damaged cables and tongs
- Rusted ladders or railings
- Lack of proper employee training or inexperienced workers
Most of these problems are preventable if the employer exercises due care. Employers have the responsibility of keeping workers safe in work zones and on drilling rigs. These issues can lead to explosions, fires, oil spills, toxic chemical exposures, structural collapses, struck-by object accidents, falls and other gas drilling rig disasters.
Common Injuries From Gas Drilling Rig Accidents
The injuries suffered in gas drilling rig accidents are often severe, catastrophic, or fatal. A catastrophic injury will remain with the victim for life, such as significant scarring, disfigurement, or disability. Some of the most common injuries involved in these workplace accidents are:
- Broken bones
- Chemical burns
- Crush injuries
- Dismemberment or amputations
- Electrocutions
- Head trauma
- Illnesses from toxic exposure
- Neck and back injuries
- Severe burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Vision and hearing loss
- Wrongful death
Gas drilling rig injuries and deaths can lead to thousands of dollars in expenses, including medical bills, ongoing care and treatments, funeral costs, disability costs, legal fees, travel expenses, and lost earnings. It can also cause significant intangible losses, such as physical pain, psychological harm, and emotional distress.
Do You Have a Case?
Even under the best conditions, oil and gas drilling is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Unfortunately, employers that violate safety regulations and fail to maintain reasonably safe workplaces increase the risk of serious injuries further. If your employer, a coworker, a contractor, a product manufacturer, or another party had the power to prevent your injury but carelessly failed to do so, that party may be financially responsible (liable) for your losses.
You may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit for a gas drilling rig injury if one or more parties owed you a duty to exercise reasonable care, violated this duty, and caused your accident. You may also be eligible for workers’ compensation. This is a no-fault system, meaning you do not have to prove fault for your oil rig accident to qualify. Speak to an attorney before accepting a workers’ compensation settlement, however, once you do, you will no longer have the right to bring a lawsuit against your employer for negligence.
Speak to an Experienced Gas Drilling Rig Injury and Death Lawyer Today
Attorney Jeff Robinette is passionate about helping workers who have been injured in preventable gas and oil industry accidents, including drilling rig disasters. Our law firm has the experience, compassion, and resources you need for the strongest possible claim for damages. Our Morgantown personal injury lawyers can review your case for free. Call our office at (304) 594-1800 or click here to request your evaluation.
Call us today to find out how we can help you.
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