Oil Rig Drilling Accidents

As the world’s demand for oil continues to grow, oil companies are pushing the limits of the environment, their personnel and the available technology in their effort to profit from the world’s demand. This increased oil production has had a tremendous impact on San Antonio workers.

In the 2014 Texas Workforce Commission Report on Texas Growth Occupations, it was noted that oil companies with offices in major Texas cities, including San Antonio, expanded their operations to meet the ongoing demand for production. An additional 400 jobs in the oil and gas industry and related fields were projected to be in place through 2022. Many of these jobs call for hard work on oil rigs. The growing number of jobs in this field means a higher risk of oil rig drilling accidents.

It is well known that the pressure being placed on employees to work harder and faster combined with the extreme dangers inherent to drilling equipment and drilling machinery places the everyday worker in harm’s way. We believe that these pressures are creating an environment for a never before seen perfect storm that will result in an increasing number of serious oil rig accidents and explosions.

We have all seen what can happen when error upon error creates the conditions necessary for such as the failure with the Deepwater Horizon Rig that exploded off the Coast of Louisiana. Fatality and injury rates resulting from oil rig drilling accidents such as this are alarming.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported nearly 130 oil rig deaths between 2003 and 2010. More than half of these oil and gas accidents involved the transportation of workers either on helicopters being operated in adverse weather conditions or when the helicopter experienced mechanical failure.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that where the average fatality rate for US workers across all industries is just under four per 100,000 workers, the rate among oil rig workers is a staggering 27 per 100,000, leading CNBC to declare it one of the ten worst jobs in America.

Oil rig drilling accidents and injuries can be complex in nature, costly to prosecute the responsible parties, and ripe for some oil companies to try to manipulate the facts. This is all in an effort by powerful oil companies, their insurance companies, and their attorneys in an effort to pay out the least possible amount to an injured worker.

There is no question that an oil rig is a dangerous place to work. The potential for a serious accident to occur is around every corner. No matter how many safety measures are in place, accidents continue to occur on platforms, rigs, and deck floors, leaving workers with injuries including:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Amputation of limbs

Although a lawyer can help you collect money gained through a lawsuit, it is small compensation for an injury that permanently changes your life. But, it is society's only way of allowing you some form of justice.

Don't allow yourself to become intimidated by a big oil company and their lawyers. Don't fall for the tactics of insurance companies whose goal is to settle for far less than you deserve. Speak with an attorney in San Antonio who is experienced in oil rig accidents who can help you achieve the best possible result for your case and help you build a solid foundation for your future.

At Carabin Shaw, we have a dedicated team of San Antonio oil rig drilling attorneys who will work with you and fight for your rights. We know what it’s like to take on the big oil companies and won’t rest until we get the full compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an oil rig accident, call us for a free consultation with one of our attorneys in San Antonio. We’ll discuss your case and let you know what to expect every step of the way. As always, we don’t collect a penny unless we’re successful in winning your case.

Call Carabin Shaw today at 800-862-1260.