Dallas Oil Rig Head Injury and Concussion Lawyer

The workplace conditions that offshore oil workers face day in and day out are not always safe. These workers risk a disproportionately high rate of workplace injury, which can keep them from being able to return to work to support their family while they recover from serious injuries. If you suffer a concussion or another head injury while working on an oil rig, you may face expensive medical bills, lost wages, and serious pain and suffering that may deserve compensation.

If your employer or the oil rig owner was responsible for causing the injuries, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to seek damages for your injuries. For help with your case, contact the Dallas offshore oil worker head injury and concussion lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm today. Our attorneys offer free consultations to help you understand your potential case. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or call today at (817) 476-1797.

Types of Head Injuries on Offshore Oil Rigs

Working on an oil rig can put you at risk for multiple types of head injuries, including some of the following. If you do face one of these injuries, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to ensure the injury is not worse than it appears and to have your treatment and recovery properly monitored.

Concussions

Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury. These injuries are sometimes called “brain bruises,” because the brain suffers impact that can damage the soft tissue, but these injuries are very different from bruises. Most concussions are injuries that should be treated seriously to ensure there are not deeper issues, but most concussions do not leave lasting effects that greatly impact your brain function. Still, concussions can leave you feeling dizzy, tired, nauseous, confused, and they can cause serious pain and discomfort. If you receive multiple concussions, you could suffer from the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the injury common among football players with a history of concussions.

Traumatic Brain Injury

More serious blows to the head can cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), the more severe form of a concussion. This causes serious damage to brain tissue, which can permanently affect senses, motor skills, and other bodily functions dependent on the injured regions of your brain. TBI can also come from penetrating wounds or skull fractures that expose your brain to injury. These brain injuries are extremely serious and could be life-changing.

Skull Fractures

Breaking one of the bones in your skull can be a serious injury requiring immediate surgical intervention. These injuries usually come with traumatic brain injury, as any time your skull is broken in, it could damage the brain tissue underneath. Re-setting the broken bone or replacing damaged bone with a plate may be necessary to ensure your skull heals properly. These injuries can keep you from working for a prolonged period.

Facial Cuts

Machinery and tools used on an oil rig could break or malfunction, potentially causing serious risks to those operating or monitoring the equipment. If you suffer serious facial cuts, you could be left with permanent scarring. Treating these kinds of injuries often requires seeing a plastic surgeon or another specialist to reduce the scarring and permanent impact of the injury, plus there is a risk of substantial blood loss and infection. These injuries can keep you from returning to work for a long time, as they may be fragile and prone to reopening during bending, lifting, or other physical activity.

Suing for Head Injuries and Concussions in the Texas Oil Industry

When you are injured at work, Texas law may require you to file with workers’ compensation. This program often limits damages and makes it impossible to recover damages for pain and suffering. Fortunately, federal law and maritime law often permits offshore oil rig workers to sue for their workplace injuries.

When you file your case, you need to prove that your employer or the ship owner did something wrong that led to your injury. This often involves showing that they breached some safety protocols or common-sense safety rules that left you vulnerable to injury. Failure to equip workers with hard hats, improper lighting or handrails on staircases, and poor maintenance on equipment can all be errors that contributed to your accident.

After proving the employer was responsible, you must also prove the damages you faced. This can be done with evidence from medical bills, pay stubs, and your testimony about how the pain affects your life.

Call Our Dallas Oil Injury Lawyers for Help with a Concussion or Head Injury Case

If you or a member of your family was seriously injured in an offshore oil rig accident, call The Queenan Law Firm today. Our Dallas oil worker concussion and head injury lawyers represent victims and their families and fight to get them the compensation they need. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us today at (817) 476-1797.