Working with heavy machinery and hazardous substances, like oil, can be extremely dangerous. That is why Texas oil field workers must learn the common injuries what to do if they are injured on the job.
Oil fields are dangerous places to work. Texas oil field workers are at substantial risk of sustaining an injury, even more so than oil field workers in other states. Each job on an oil field is dangerous, although some pose more of a risk than others because of their specific responsibilities. Common injuries range from falls to amputation, from hearing loss to traumatic brain injuries. When employers don’t maintain a safe working environment and their negligence causes an employee’s injuries, that injured worker can recover compensatory damages through a Workers’ Compensation claim or civil lawsuit.
Our attorneys are prepared to help you recover compensation for your losses. For a free case evaluation with the Austin oil worker injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., call us today at (817) 476-1797.
How Dangerous is Working on an Oil Field in Texas?
Working on an oil field can be a dangerous profession. Many workers are injured on the job each year, largely because of dangerous working conditions. If you work on an oil field in Texas, it can be helpful to learn just how common work-related injuries are.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were 69 fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry in 2019. That same year, Texas saw the largest number of fatalities in oil workers, at 44 deaths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 7,500 cases of worker injuries in the oil and case extraction industry were recorded in 2020.
Clearly, working on an oil field, especially in Texas, can be dangerous. If you are injured while on the job, it is crucial to reach out to a Texas oil worker injury lawyer right away. It is important to begin the process of recovering damages through an employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurance immediately so that you can get the compensatory damages you deserve after a Texas oil field injury.
Dangerous Jobs on Texas Oil Fields
Inland oil fields can be dangerous sites. Not only is the gathered matter hazardous, but the machinery used to drill is equally dangerous, if not more so. There are different roles on a Texas oil field, and some are more dangerous than others. Depending on your designated role on a Texas oil field, you may be more likely to sustain a serious work-related injury.
Oil Field Drivers
While an oil field driver may seem like the least dangerous job on an oil field at first, that’s not the case. In fact, a significant number of Texas oil field injuries result from driving accidents. These accidents generally happen because drivers are made to work long hours.
Derrick Operators
Derrick operators are some of the Texas oil field workers at the greatest risk of injuries. These individuals operate the drill high above the ground and are susceptible to dangerous falls. Not to mention, an improperly trained derrick operator could cause injuries to other workers on a Texas oil field.
Motormen
As a Texas motorman, you likely work directly with the machines that extract oil from the ground. This can be a dangerous job, especially if the oil rig manager does not properly inspect all equipment.
Roughnecks
The term roughneck refers to the workers who complete manual labor in the oil industry. If you’re a Texas roughneck on an oil field, you will most likely be moving heavy machinery and hazardous material. This job is very dangerous, and roughneck oil field workers are some of the individuals at the highest risk of sustaining a work-related injury.
Regardless of your job on a Texas oil field, you are not immune to a work-related injury. If another’s negligence results in a serious injury that requires compensation, reach out to a Bryan, Texas oil worker injury lawyer. There’s no need for you to be financially responsible for work-related injuries you didn’t cause just because you work on a dangerous Texas oil field.
Common Injuries for Texas Oil Field Workers
In Texas, oil field injuries range from minor to severe. Because of the dangerous nature of their job, workers are at risk of sustaining life-altering injuries that require expensive medical treatment. If you were injured on a Texas oil field, it could be helpful to learn about the most common injuries to see if you can recover Workers’ Compensation benefits.
The most common injuries for Texas oil field workers are all damaging and often require compensation. The following are some injuries Texans may sustain while working on an oil field:
- Amputation
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Fractured bones
- Falls
- Hearing loss
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
If your injuries don’t fall into any of the categories above, that doesn’t mean you can’t file a Workers’ Compensation claim. Reach out to our Texas oil worker injury lawyers if you’re unsure whether or not your oil field injuries qualify you for benefits.
Many Texas oil field injuries can be traced back to an employer or manager’s negligence. For example, improperly training employees is a common cause of work-related injuries. So is failure to provide the proper safety equipment, like goggles or gloves. When managers don’t properly inspect the equipment, it can malfunction, causing severe injuries to workers. By nature, oil is a hazardous substance, meaning all safety protocols must be followed on any Texas oil field. When that doesn’t happen, explosions can occur, causing devastating burns to victims.
After an accident, injured Texas oil field workers can recover compensation, either through a Workers’ Compensation claim or civil lawsuit. However, to successfully recover damages, your employer’s negligence must have contributed to your injuries. That is why it’s wise to hire a Dallas oil worker injury lawyer to help prove your employer’s negligence and get you the compensation you deserve.
Call Our Lawyers if You Were Injured on a Texas Oil Field
Working in a high-risk industry should not make you financially responsible for your work-related injuries. For a free case evaluation with the Houston oil worker injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., call us today at (817) 476-1797.