Work Injury Examples: Midland Oilfield Accident Attorneys

If you work in the oilfield in Midland, you’re probably well aware of the dangers inherent to your line of work. But did you know that by some estimates, the oil and gas industry has the highest rates of severe injury of any workplace in the nation? Did you know that Texas has the highest number of fatal oilfield accidents each year of any state? And did you know that we have minimal data on just how many accidents have occurred in oilfields?

Terrifyingly enough, the majority of oilfield workplace accidents were not reported until recently. Before 2015, employers were only required to report fatalities and “catastrophes,” which OSHA defined as incidents where at least three employees were hospitalized. Thankfully, the regulations have changed, and we are beginning to have a clearer picture of the dangers of working in an oilfield; now, employers must report any accident resulting in hospitalization or the loss of a body part.

Our Midland oilfield injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have compiled the following information detailing some of the types of injuries that qualify for oilfield injury claims.

Common Oilfield Injuries

Some work injury examples Midland oilfield accident attorneys are familiar with include:

• Finger Amputations: Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows just how dangerous oilfield jobs can be. Among severe injuries (defined as injuries causing hospitalization or loss of a body part), the most common was loss of a finger. These injuries usually occur when workers’ hands become trapped in equipment.
• Fractures: The next most common severe injury among oilfield workers is a fracture, especially in the leg. Like finger and hand injuries, these fractures are most often caused by workers’ body parts becoming entwined with machinery.

Causes of Oilfield Work Injuries

While the most common cause of severe injuries was getting a finger or body part caught in oilfield equipment, the OSHA data reveals other key findings as well about the leading causes of serious accidents. The next most common cause of severe injury is slips and falls, followed by falling objects striking employees. Fires and explosions were the fourth leading cause of severe injuries.

Other Types of Serious Oilfield Injuries:

Besides amputations and fractures, the OSHA numbers show that numerous types of serious accidents frequently occur among oilfield workers. These include but are not limited to:

• Burns
• Chemical burns
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue damage
• Disfigurement
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal injury

After an Accident, Push for Change

Despite the advances made in recent years to improve workplace safety conditions, there is still a long way to go. At Carabin Shaw, our attorneys believe that the best way to bring about change is to hold employers accountable for the job site accidents brought about by their negligence. That’s why our Midland accident lawyers implore you to take action if you’ve suffered a work injury in Midland.

In many cases, worker’s compensation is not enough to cover the full extent of medical bills and lost income after a severe injury. That’s why it’s so important for workers who’ve been injured in Midland oilfield accidents to contact an experienced Texas oilfield accident attorney as soon as possible; the right lawyer can help injured workers figure out their options. Not only can a personal injury claim help you get financial compensation, but it can also send a strong message to oil companies that they won’t get away with prioritizing profit over safety.

If you’re ready to get your life back on track following your oilfield injury, or if you want to find out what an attorney can offer you, call our Midland office today to receive a free consultation with a lawyer at 432-620-0544 or reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.

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