When an oil and gas worker is injured, the severity and duration of injuries are far worse than in other industry sectors, and recovery times take twice as long. It is important to seek advice from oil and gas attorneys because Worker’s Compensation may not cover all the expenses associated with long term serious injuries. An oil and gas lawyer can review your employment documents thoroughly to determine any indemnification clauses that may waive the liability of the employer, contractor or other third party.
In 2006, almost a half million people were working in jobs related to the oil and gas industry and the gas extraction industry employed about 380,000 workers. The oil and gas industry is growing but at the same time increases in oil and gas activity correlate with an increase in the rate of fatal occupational injuries, particularly when inexperienced workers are not sufficiently trained in safety and precautionary measures. The most common types of injuries are burns, brain injury, spinal injury and fractures.
Over 30 workers for every 100,000 died in an accident relating to their work in the oil industry from 2003 to 2006. This statistic is more than five times the fatality rate for all workers in US occupations.
Drilling oil and gas wells industries had a rate of 4 cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses per 100 equivalent full-time workers. The rate for injuries and illnesses by size of business was:
- 1 - 10 Workers (7.5 cases per 100 workers)
- 11 - 49 Workers (13.7 cases per 100 workers)
- 50 - 249 Workers (4 cases per 100 workers)
- 250 - 999 Workers (3.5 cases per 100 workers)
- 1000+ Workers (0.9 cases per 100 workers)
Nearly half of all fatal injuries were attributed to highway motor-vehicle crashes and workers being struck by machinery or equipment. Gas explosion injuries, fires, chemical burns and dangerous falls or falling objects or equipment-- workers are often hit on the head or back by tools or equipment—are just a few of the dangers occurring on a regular basis in the oil and gas industry.
The highest numbers of oil and gas extraction occupational fatalities occurred in Texas (38 percent), Louisiana (12 percent), Oklahoma (11 percent), Wyoming (8 percent), and New Mexico (5 percent). Among the states where most of the fatalities occurred, New Mexico (45.2 per 100,000) and Wyoming (58.5 per 100,000) had the highest average annual fatality rates, compared with Oklahoma (33.3 per 100,000), Louisiana (29.2 per 100,000), and Texas (25.3 per 100,000).
Propane
Gas explosions can also occur in the home; they can be caused a defective product or combination of defective products; or minimal or no public or consumer information on the safe handling and use of propane or natural gas. Approximately 26 million people use propane: it is also very dangerous. More than 100 million people use natural gas. You are four times more likely to be involved in a fire or explosion using Propane (LP Gas) vs Natural Gas (Methane). You are 13 times more likely to be severely injured or burned with Propane vs. Natural Gas. You are more than 100 times more likely to be killed or severely injured if there is a product failure using Propane vs Natural Gas.
Oil and Gas Lawsuits
Sunbeam Corporation recalled some of its 1997 and 1998 Grillmaster gas grills with side burners, due to a possible fire hazard. Only the Grillmaster grills with side burners were effected by this recall. The gas line on the side burners of these grills is too close to the burner which can melt the gas line creating a possible fire/explosion hazard.
An argon gas purifier used in welding exploded when a high pressure argon cylinder (2000 psig) was erroneously connected to the purifier, designed for lower pressures (250 psig). This was basically a mechanical explosion. However, the purifier contains better materials at high temperatures. When the purifier exploded (mechanically) the result was a fire storm. When the better materials hit the oxygen in the atmosphere they ignited. Issues in the case involved the design and safety of the argon purifier.
Fifteen people died and more than 170 were injured in an explosion and fire at BP's Texas City refinery in March 2005. It was one of the most serious workplace disasters in the United States in nearly two decades. In July 2005, a hydrogen fire that had the potential to cause additional deaths and injuries broke out at the Texas City refinery, resulting in a Level 3 community alert. A Level 3 alert, which is the second highest emergency classification under Texas City refinery plant procedures, applies when an incident is not under control and protective action might be necessary for the surrounding or off-site area.
BP set aside $1.6 billion to compensate victims and was hit with a $21.3 million fine by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the accident.
In late-October 2007, the Usumacinta jack-up oil rig was positioned over the Kab-101 platform. Strong winds forced the jack-up off location, causing it to collide with the Kab-101 platform and rupture the platform's production tree. Twenty-two workers lost their lives as a result of the emergency evacuation in storm-force conditions. The leaking hydrocarbons ignited twice, causing major fire damage to both the Usumacinta and the Kab-10.
Oil and gas accidents generally occur at work sites where the employer and/or employee is negligent, therefore injuries and death are covered by workers' compensation. But if a third party is involved (i.e., someone or some other entity, such as a defective product, not associated with your employer) a claim will likely exist and you should get advice from a gas and oil attorney.. Regardless, if you or a loved one has sustained an oil and gas injury, you should seek legal help.
Oil and Gas Accident Legal Help
If you or a loved one has suffered damages in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Last updated on Jul-27-10 
New Orleans, LA: Less than two weeks after the BP oil spill was capped in the Gulf of Mexico, a wellhead in the inland waterways of Louisiana, near New Orleans, was hit by a tugboat early this morning and began spewing oil 20 feet up in the air. 
Washington, DC: In the wake of the disastrous BP oil spill, regulators are considering changing the rights of family members whose loved ones die at sea. Although the focus of the media is on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the families of the men missing and presumed dead following the explosion of the oil rig have filed lawsuits alleging negligence on the part of BP. Meanwhile, the oil pollution from the spill has already had a devastating impact on the environment. 
Pascagoula, MS: The BP oil spill off the Gulf Coast has proved devastating not only for the families of the workers who died in the explosion last month, but also for those who live and work in proximity to the spill. President Obama, who toured the stricken area yesterday, hinted that oil and gas operators like BP will be held accountable and will foot the bill for the cleanup—not the taxpayers. 
