Working in an oil field is an inherently dangerous profession. The high-risk nature of the environment often involves heavy machinery, elevated platforms, high-pressure systems, and exposure to flammable substances creating numerous safety hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the fatality rate among oil and gas workers is seven times higher than all other industries in the United States. Among the most devastating outcomes of oil field accidents is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can leave workers with significant injuries, and face long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges affecting every aspect of their lives.
At Rodriguez & Associates, we understand the high risks of working in the oilfield industry and the challenges that workers encounter because we have been there. Daniel Rodriquez, firm founder and president, has worked in the oil fields as a roustabout and mechanic and knows firsthand how hard oilfield work can be. He also understands how dangerous it can be if safety precautions are ignored, workers are not adequately trained, or equipment is defective. Daniel has fought for the rights of oilfield workers injured or killed on the job since passing the bar in 1980 and is highly attuned to the complex nature of extraction and construction cases. His passion for supporting the local, working class is emulated in the compassionate and driven nature of the firm to obtain justice for clients who have been injured due to negligence.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Disrupting normal brain function, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are severe injuries that often lead to long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. The high-risk environment of working in an oil field involves hazardous conditions and heavy equipment that can cause brain injuries. Accidents such as falls and explosions can lead to TBIs such as concussions, contusions, memory loss, and other catastrophic injuries that cause permanent damage. The severity of injuries from a TBI requires victims to receive ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Permanent damage can prevent someone from living or working normally with heavy financial burdens, medical expenses, lost wages, and a diminished quality of life.
Why Oilfield Workers Are at High Risk for TBI
The complex dangers of working in an oil field expose workers to a heightened risk of sustaining traumatic brain injuries with lasting consequences. Even those who adhere strictly to all safety procedures and guidelines face an inherent level of risk on the job. Responsible for a wide variety of operations, oilfield workers perform a multitude of tasks from maintenance to drilling, to construction and transportation. Many incidents occur due to negligent employers who do not take steps to reduce workers’ exposure to hazards or improve working conditions.
Common Oil Field Accidents Leading to TBI
The dangers on the oil field threaten the safety of workers daily due to the numerous potential hazards encountered on the job. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 383 oil and gas extraction workers were killed on the job between 2018 and 2022. The most common causes of oil field accidents are transportation incidents followed by contact injuries, however, due to the complex nature of oilfield work a wide range of accident types can occur. Accidents that may lead to a traumatic brain injury in the oil field are:
- Transportation Incidents: Moving oil and oil-related equipment accounts for most accidents. Nearly half, or 42 percent, of all oilfield fatalities in 2017 were related to transportation according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oilfield transportation activities span all phases of work from site preparation and well construction to drilling, equipment servicing, and site abandonment. The presence of numerous moving vehicles combined with inattentive drivers can cause collisions with other vehicles or equipment often leading to serious injuries such as TBIs.
- Blowouts: A failure in a well’s pressure release system can result in the uncontrolled release of oil, liquid, and gas causing an oil well blowout. The tremendous force behind a blowout can cause serious injury to anyone within range. Mechanical system failures in a well pump can cause system malfunctions that result in a blowout. When this occurs, workers may sustain TBIs from flying debris or the immense force of the explosion.
- Contact Injuries and Falling Objects: Oilfield workers on the ground are at risk of contact injuries from debris flying out of equipment, servicing tools left out, or other falling hazards. These contact injuries and falling objects may cause TBIs through lacerations, penetrations, or the powerful impact of heavy equipment.
- Fires and Explosions: Oilfield workers are continuously surrounded by extremely flammable materials that can combust even from the smallest spark, potentially causing significant injury. Working around easily ignited materials and drilling equipment increases the risk of being injured from fire and explosions. Although rare, explosions can result in horrific burn injuries, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries caused by flying debris and the intense force of the blast.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Dangerous equipment and the harsh conditions of oil fields expose workers to uneven surfaces, holes, unstable structures, and slippery surfaces. These conditions can cause slip, trip, and fall accidents that can contribute to serious head injuries and TBIs. The CDC reports that falls lead to nearly half of the TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States and OSHA states that in the construction industry, falls are the most common cause of death.
Negligence as a Contributing Factor to Oilfield TBIs
Safety measures are highly effective when properly implemented, monitored, and managed in oil fields. However, when facilities ignore regulations, bypass safety procedures, or violate protocols, serious accidents can occur, often resulting in TBIs. The four most common underlying causes of negligence in the oil field are:
- Failure to Adhere to Safety Protocols: Inadequate worker training, improper use or lack of protective equipment, and carelessness can create a liability and risk of injury.
- Negligent Supervision: Team mismanagement in high-risk scenarios, poor communication, and failure to warn workers of hazardous conditions can lead to life-threatening situations.
- Faulty Equipment: Defective machinery or the lack of routine maintenance can lead to malfunctions, chemical fires, gas leaks, or pipeline explosions.
- Unanticipated Environmental Hazards: Exposure to harmful gases, radioactive material, temperature extremes, harmful levels of noise, and exposure to silica can cause accidents and long-term healthcare issues.
Contact One of Our Oil Field Accident Lawyers
When careless mistakes on the job lead to preventable accidents, an experienced oil field accident lawyer understands the complexities of these cases and can help hold the responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured and sustained a TBI while working in an oil field, meeting with a lawyer is essential to discuss your rights and understand the best course of action. If someone else’s negligence contributed to or caused your injury, filing a workers’ compensation claim may not be your best option.
Rodriguez & Associates has decades of experience representing clients injured in oilfield accidents caused by negligence. Our case results include obtaining $4.5 million for a defective oilfield derrick and $3.5 million for a worker who sustained injuries after an oilfield crane fell on him. We understand the emotional and financial burden that families must face when an injured worker is unable to work and provide for their family. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our Bakersfield oil field accident attorneys today to obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.