If your spouse works in the oil and gas industry, you may worry about his safety. Workers and their families know there are risks associated with drilling, pumping and transporting oil and gas, and many fear an injury or a fatal accident. If your loved one was killed on the job in the oil and gas industry, you may have a claim for wrongful death. The attorneys at Parker Law Firm will review your case and work with you to get the justice you deserve if employer negligence led to your tragic loss.
What Are the Risks?
With over 325,000 people employed in the oil and gas industry, Texas is the nation’s leading employer of oil and gas field workers. As home to the top oil-producing region in the U.S., the industry has been steadily growing since a low point in 2016, adding several thousand new jobs each month in 2017 and 2018. As more Texans get jobs in the industry, more workers are at risk of serious injury and death on the job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 39 workers are killed in Texas oil and gas fields each year on average. Hazards associated with oil and gas field jobs include the following:
- Vehicle collisions. Transportation incidents are the leading cause of death in the industry, accounting for over 40% of all fatalities. As workers, equipment and products are transported to and from remote locations throughout the state, drivers endure long hours and pressure to pick up and deliver on a tight schedule. These conditions create dangerous situations that can lead to fatal crashes. If the employer contributed to the cause of a fatal crash by providing poorly maintained vehicles, forcing drivers to work long hours or sending an unqualified driver out on the road, the employer may be held liable through a wrongful death claim.
- Struck-by/caught-in/caught-between. Moving vehicles or equipment, falling equipment and high-pressure lines can crush workers, leading to these deadly accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 25% of workplace fatalities are caused by these incidents. When these fatal accidents are caused by faulty equipment, supervisor or co-worker misconduct or violations of federal safety guidelines, the employer may be held accountable for a worker’s death.
- Explosions and fires. Oil and gas fields are volatile environments, and when safety procedures are not followed, fires and explosions can occur. According to the BLS, these incidents cause 15% of oil worker fatalities on average. Lack of safety procedures, inadequate on-site emergency medical care and failure to train workers are a few possible causes of wrongful death claims against an employer when a loved one is killed in a fire or an explosion.
- Falls. Workers on oil and gas fields are often required to climb structures and work on platforms. When employers fail to provide or enforce the use of fall protection devices, they may be held liable if a worker falls to his death while on the clock.
No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death in the Texas oil and gas field industry, you need to discuss what happened with an experienced wrongful death attorney. When you call Parker Law Firm in Bedford, we will respond quickly.
Has A Loved One Died Due To The Negligence of Others?
If your loved one has died due to the negligence of someone else an experienced wrongful death attorney can help you hold them responsible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help wrongful death claims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.