The Danger of Equipment Failures in an Oil Field
Oil field workers are constantly exposed to heavy machinery and equipment with moving parts, electric or gas/diesel motors, heated elements, and other potential dangers. The failure of a piece of equipment or machinery can cause a worker to be caught in or between pieces of machinery, struck by falling objects, crushed by heavy objects, or burned by contact with heat, electrical current, or toxic chemicals.
Oil field accidents can cause such injuries as:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Amputations
- Internal organ injuries
- Eye injuries, including loss of vision
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck, back and spinal injuries, which may include paralysis
- Burns, including thermal burns, chemical burns, and electrical burns
- Electrocution.
Any of these injuries can put a worker in the hospital and off the job for an extended period. Some accident victims may be unable to handle the physical demands of working on a rig after a disabling injury and may require extensive medical treatment or ongoing care and assistance.
Investigating Possible Equipment Failure in TX Oil Field Accidents
If you are an oil field worker injured because of faulty machinery or equipment, you may be able to obtain compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits through a product liability lawsuit. Such a claim must show that the machinery in question was defective, its defect caused your injury, and the manufacturer knew or should have known the defect existed but did not take adequate steps to fix it or warn users of the danger it posed. In other cases, a subcontractor, or vendor who failed to adequately maintain the piece of equipment that failed, can be held liable if they were not the injured worker’s employer.
Determining whether an oil field accident was caused by a preventable machinery or equipment failure requires a prompt technical investigation of complex mechanical and engineering issues. Such work requires specialized knowledge and must be done independently from those connected to ownership, contractors and insurance companies.
Investigators must collect and analyze a variety of documents and interview the people involved, often after obtaining court orders. In many cases, consulting engineers, forensic metallurgists, and other specialists must be brought in to assist with technical aspects of the inquiry.
The independent product liability attorneys of Herrman and Herrman have the technical and legal knowledge, contacts, experience and diligence necessary to pursue complex oil field accident investigations. When the evidence points to equipment failure, we have the commitment to follow up by seeking compensation from even the largest national and international companies.
It is important to discuss the circumstances of a serious oil field accident injury with a lawyer before agreeing to any insurance settlement, including the final disposition of a workers’ compensation claim. Your signature on a settlement agreement could prevent you from seeking additional compensation that you are rightly due.
Contact Our Texas Oil Field Accident Attorneys
Our legal team can investigate the circumstances of your accident and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence, including when faulty machinery or equipment is involved. We work to obtain compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income and other losses caused by an oil field incident that should never have happened. Contact a knowledgeable Corpus Christi injury lawyer office to discuss how we can help you.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
- Family Receives Large Jury Award After Father Killed in Wrongful Death Suit
- Elderly Abuse on the Rise During COVID-19
- Eagle Ford Shale Oil Boom Brings Danger to South Texas Roadways
- Are U.S. Safety Standards Keeping Children Safe From Dangerous Toys?
- Venue Jurisdiction in Texas Matters
