Concerns about gas and oil explosions and worker safety have been at the forefront of Oklahoma state officials’ minds as they continue to investigate a recent Pittsburg County explosion that left five workers dead and 17 with minor injuries. The explosion has shaken a state that is heavily invested in the fuel industry and has been said to be the worst incident of its kind since the Deepwater Horizon tragedy.
Oklahoma has one of the highest fatality rates associated with the gas and oil industry. As recently as 2014, as much as 14 percent of all gas and oil industry fatalities occurred in Oklahoma, according to the CDC. Numerous other injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic take place there every year. The highly flammable nature of gas and oil is partly to blame for the dangers associated with these industries. Because a single spark can ignite a fatal explosion, OSHA has instituted stringent guidelines designed to minimize the inherent risks in the field. The state of Oklahoma has also introduced a variety of initiatives to limit the risk of injury or fatality in the field.
If you are a gas or oil industry worker, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Unfortunately, in spite of the legal protections, workers can still be hurt or killed. In many cases, this is because proper safety precautions were not taken. Employer negligence can lead to all kinds of accidents, from fires to explosions. If you’ve been hurt or suffered a loss as a result of employer negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced legal team can help.
The Tulsa Oil & Gas Lawyers at Wandres Law can help you determine the best case to meet your needs. If you were injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, which will cover not just your immediate medical bills but also the costs of medications, therapy, medical devices and a portion of your lost wages. If you are permanently disabled as a result of a workplace accident, our team can seek lump-sum settlements or long-term disability payments.
You may also be entitled to recover damages for negligence, particularly if your employer failed to follow OSHA or Oklahoma state laws pertaining to gas and oil fields. If a machine, tool or other equipment was defective, we can seek to hold the manufacturers liable for your injuries under product liability laws. With the assistance of experts in the field, we will prove the products were poorly made, improperly designed or otherwise dangerous to the public and users of the equipment.
In the event of a fatal tragedy, we will fight for families who have lost a loved one in the explosion. We can seek damages for the loss of support, loss of income, funeral costs, medical bills and any other losses that you have suffered as a result of the explosion.
Physical pain, scars, disfiguring injuries and emotional scars from oil and gas explosions can last a lifetime. Survivors often struggle to work or become completely disabled. Oilfield injury victims can suffer a wide range of injuries, including:
Survivors often suffer severe disfigurements and burns which can require multiple surgeries. For many victims, the emotional scars can be just as devastating as the physical pain. The long-term effects can be catastrophic for survivors and their families, and many of them require:
Some are never able to fully recover the ability to perform routine tasks, such as bathing, walking and eating while others can perform self-care but are unable to return to part- or full-time work due to their injuries and limitations. The pain and suffering associated with oil and gas field explosions can be extreme in the days and weeks following the accident, but they can also last a lifetime.
If you’ve been injured or suffered a loss as a result of Oklahoma Rig Explosions, Wandres Law can help. We will fight to help you recover any compensation to which you may be entitled, including workers’ compensation, punitive damages for negligence, product liability, and wrongful death. Contact Wandres Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma today to learn more or to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our experienced Tulsa Oil & Gas Lawyers.
At Wandres Law, P.C., our Tulsa, OK oil and gas explosion lawyer fully understands the oil and gas industry can be a dangerous profession, with workers constantly exposed to the risk of explosions and fires. If you have been injured while working in the oil and gas industry due to an explosion or fire, you may be entitled to compensation. Here are five frequently asked questions about the ways our lawyers can help injured oil and gas industry workers:
Explosions and fires in the oil and gas industry can be caused by a variety of factors, including equipment failure, electrical malfunctions, human error, and natural disasters. Explosions and fires can occur during drilling, fracking, transportation, and refining of oil and gas. Common causes of explosions and fires in the oil and gas industry include gas leaks, blowouts, and pipeline ruptures.
Our experienced Tulsa oil and gas explosion lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can investigate the cause of the explosion or fire, gather evidence, and identify any responsible parties. Your lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies, file a lawsuit if necessary, and represent you in court. Your lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
There may be multiple parties who can be held liable for an oil and gas industry explosion or fire, including the company that owns the well or rig, the manufacturer of the equipment involved in the explosion or fire, and other contractors or subcontractors who were working at the site. Your lawyer can help identify all the responsible parties and hold them accountable for your injuries.
If you have been injured in an oil and gas industry explosion or fire, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident. Your lawyer can help you assess the value of your claim and negotiate a fair settlement.
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit for an oil and gas industry explosion or fire varies depending on the state where the accident occurred. In some states, you may have as little as one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, while in other states you may have up to three years. It is important to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations.
In conclusion, if you have been injured in an oil and gas industry explosion or fire, it is important to seek the help of our experienced oil and gas explosion lawyer in Tulsa. Wandres Law, P.C. can guide you through the legal process and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can investigate the cause of the accident, identify responsible parties, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.
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Oklahoma City, OK 73112