The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data shows that, in 2016, the rate of fatal injuries for workers in the oil and natural gas field was 10.1. This means that 10.1 workers per 100,000 died from on-the-job injuries. This means oil and natural gas work is tied for being the third most deadly industry in the U.S., by rate of fatal injury. If you work in oil or natural gas, you may be interested to know how dangerous your job is, compared to other jobs in the industry. The Houston oil worker injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm discuss some of the deadliest roles in the oil and natural gas industry and explain how you may be able to file a lawsuit if you were injured at work.
Deadliest Oil Worker Jobs in TX
Texas oil workers are almost always at risk for serious injuries. The physical demands of many oil worker jobs can come with risks of hurting your back or pulling a muscle by nature of the job you perform. Many oil workers, such as oil refinery workers, also face dangers from chemical spills and chemical exposure. Some of the most dangerous jobs on an oil rig or at an oil field are somewhat obvious, but others are surprising. Our oil drilling injury lawyers explain some of the oil and natural gas jobs that face the most injuries. The following jobs are not listed in any particular order.
Roustabouts
Roustabouts are the catch-all laborers on offshore oil rigs or oil fields. Many manual labor jobs fall to roustabouts, who are usually entry-level workers and may not have the experience necessary for more complex machine operation. This means plenty of lifting and carrying, pulling and pushing, and other manual tasks. These kinds of job tasks always come with a risk of injury from tasks that are too difficult or put too much strain on your back or other parts of your body. These workers are also prone to injuries and problems from dehydration and exhaustion, especially in hotter summer months.
Derrickhands
Derrickhands guide drills and pipes, as well as perform other tasks involved in the drilling process. This often puts them into direct contact with heavy machinery and moving parts. Derrickhands’ roles are often varied, and they may work closely with other workers to help administer chemicals to help with drilling and mud management. This means they are at risk for crushing injuries from machinery as well as chemical exposure injuries.
Drivers
Surprisingly, drivers are some of the most injured workers on an oil team. Transportation is one of the most dangerous professions, in general, and driving a truck or personnel transport at an oil drilling site is similarly dangerous. Maintaining vehicles is often the last priority for many oil companies, so the vehicles these workers drive may not even be up to standards for inspection and maintenance. On top of this, working long hours may lead to fatigue and exhaustion, which can increase the chance of an auto accident. Since you’re not always driving on cleanly-paved roads, the risk of injury is also increased by off-road driving.
Other Roughnecks
Any crew worker who works around oil pits and machinery can face injury. Especially if there is a serious disaster, like a pipeline explosion or oil rig fire, you can face traumatic burn injuries and possibly wrongful death. Even if you perform a more supervisory role on the oil rig or at the drill site, you can still face serious injuries in the event of a large-scale disaster, or even from simple accidents like a slip and fall.
Suing for Oil and Natural Gas Injuries
If you or a loved one works on an oil rig, at a drilling site, at an oil refinery, or on a pipeline crew, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit after a serious workplace injury. The Queenan Law Firm’s Arlington TX personal injury lawyer will fight to get injured oil workers the compensation they need after a serious injury.
If your injury caused you physical injuries that required medical care and kept you from returning to work, you could sue for compensation for the injuries you faced. In many cases, an injured oil worker can take their case to court, but you should always check with a Dallas work injury attorney to see if your case may need to go through an alternative process. When you sue for injuries, you can claim compensation for any medical bills you face, any wages you missed or will continue to miss because of the injury, and compensation for pain and suffering.
If you lost a loved one to an oil accident, you may be able to sue for wrongful death, instead. This can get you the compensation you need to continue to care for your family without their paycheck, as well as damages for funeral and burial expenses and the loss of companionship you face.
Dallas Oil Worker Injury Lawyers Offering Free Legal Consultations
If you or a loved one was injured in an oil accident, or if you lost a parent, spouse, or child, call The Queenan Law Firm today. Our Midland oil rig accident attorneys fight to get injury victims and their families the compensation they need to help with serious injuries. To schedule your free consultation, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.