Frequently Asked Questions About Oilfield Accident Claims in Texas

A: Oil rig explosions can happen in the blink-of-an-eye. Between 2007-2018, 32 different oil rig explosions occurred offshore.

A: Some of the most common reasons for oil rig explosions include:

• Sudden fires.
• Equipment failure.
• Blowouts.
• Defective products and machinery.
• Misplacements of cables.
• Inadequate safety measures.

A: If changes in drilling pressure are not monitored properly and crude oil is released from a well in an uncontrollable manner, combustible hydrocarbons can lead to a blowout explosion. Not only do blowouts result in dangerous amounts of toxic fumes being released into the atmosphere, but they can also leave on-site workers with catastrophic injuries — and even cause deaths.

A: Fires are the leading cause of explosions in the oil field industry. Perhaps the most frightening fact is that oil rigs can easily result in dangerous fires if inadequate drilling is taking place or if crude oil is exposed to other toxic substances.

Some refineries prohibit the use of mobile phones on-site as a safety protocol to prevent gas fumes from igniting. As strange as it may seem, cell phone usage on the floor may play a factor in fume ignitions due to the fact that they can spark an electrical charge in a high-hazard area.

Working in the oilfield industry is physically demanding and can require an individual to work an average of 12 to 14 hours per day. Additionally, workers are constantly surrounded by moving machinery, hazardous tools, and work with toxic chemicals that can ignite at any given time if not handled with care.

An oilfield accident can leave a person with significant injuries that can leave them unable to work for an indefinite amount of time — and possibly without any insurance coverage from their employer. Texas law does always require oilfield industry employers to provide workers’ compensation.

According to Texas Tribune, between 2008-2017, there were a total reported 1,566 fatalities in the oilfield industry. The average yearly rate for oilfield-related deaths tallied out to 174.

Texas was responsible for 63.7% of all national oilfield-related fatalities in 2017.