Oilfield work is one of the most hazardous occupations, exposing workers to dangerous conditions and with significant risks for accidents and injuries. The combination of heavy machinery, volatile chemicals, high-pressure systems, and unpredictable environments poses significant risks to workers, even if safety rules are observed and closely followed. Common injuries in the oilfield include burn injuries, fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal injuries, other catastrophic injuries, and, in worst cases, fatalities.
According to a CDC report published in September 2023, the oil and gas extraction industry saw 470 worker fatalities between 2014 and 2019. Well-servicing company workers accounted for 60.4% of these deaths, followed by drilling contractors (17.9%) and operators. These statistics highlight the ongoing dangers oilfield workers face and the devastating impact of these workplace accidents. Most oilfield accidents are preventable and occur when companies fail to follow safety regulations, violate state and federal laws, engage in unsafe drilling practices, neglect maintenance, or use defective equipment. When oil and gas companies are negligent, injured workers have the right to pursue compensation. Rodriguez & Associates has extensive experience representing oilfield injury and wrongful death cases, fighting for injured workers and their families to secure the compensation they deserve.
Why Oilfield Work Is So Dangerous
Oilfield work is especially dangerous due to the high-risk nature of the work and the harsh environments that workers are continuously exposed to. From fast-moving vehicles to large equipment and hazardous substances, even a small error can have devastating consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,189 oil and gas workers died between 2003-2013. Of those fatalities, two-thirds were attributed to transportation accidents (40.3%), contact with objects/equipment (25.9%), fires and explosions (14.3%), exposure to harmful substances or environments (8.8%), and falls, slips, and trips (8.2%).
Understanding the most common causes of oilfield injuries is essential to improving worker safety, highlighting that companies must take the necessary steps to prevent an oilfield accident.
The leading causes of oilfield injuries and fatalities are due to the following dangerous conditions:
- Transportation Accidents: Transportation-related incidents are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the oil and gas extraction industry, according to the CDC. Workers rely on heavy trucks to transport equipment and supplies, but factors like inexperience, fatigue, and long hours significantly increase the risk of injury or death.
- Heavy Machinery & Equipment: Oilfield workers operate and work with massive machinery such as belt wheels, hoist blocks, conveyors, pumps, and top drives. Equipment failures, improper maintenance, or incorrect use can cause workers to be struck or crushed by heavy machinery, falls, or entanglements that cause debilitating injuries.
- Fires and Explosions: Oilfields are highly susceptible to fires and explosions because of the presence of volatile oil, flammable substances, harmful gases, and other combustible materials. Ignition sources such as sparks from machinery, static electricity, or pressurized equipment failures can lead to catastrophic incidents including well blowouts. Sudden, deadly explosions can occur due to deteriorating pipelines and compressed gasses.
- Hazardous Substances & Environments: Exposure to toxic chemicals, oil tank fumes, and vapors, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and hydrocarbon gases and vapors (HGVs), puts oilfield workers at risk for injuries. Confined spaces, transfers of fluids, and disposal processes can increase the chance of chemical exposure and inhalation injuries, leading to severe respiratory and neurological conditions.
- Falls, Slips, and Trips: The combination of slick well pads, tangled cords, and elevated work surfaces creates dangerous environments, putting workers at risk of slips, trips, or falls. Working on elevated platforms and maneuvering heavy equipment in challenging conditions increases the risk of severe injuries or fatalities. Slippery surfaces and physically demanding tasks can increase the likelihood of these types of accidents.
Injured Oilfield Workers – Get the Best Representation On Your Side
Oilfield work is inherently dangerous, but when workers are injured they deserve protection and legal representation to seek compensation for their injuries, lost income, and more. Employers must follow safety regulations, provide proper training and protective gear, and abide by established safety protocols. Workers have the right to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation. When employers do not adhere to their responsibility to provide a safe working environment, they can be held liable for accidents.
Workers’ compensation may not be the best course of action if someone else’s negligence contributed to or caused your incident. It’s important to hold the negligent parties accountable when an accident occurs due to inexcusable mistakes. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, ongoing therapy/medical care, and emotional distress. In California, injured workers can file both a personal injury lawsuit and a workers’ compensation claim, ensuring that oilfield companies and third parties such as manufacturers and contractors are held accountable for their roles in the incident. For families who have lost a loved one in an oilfield accident, wrongful death claims help to obtain justice and receive compensation for your loss.
Contact Our California Oil Field Injury Attorneys
At Rodriguez & Associates, our oilfield accident attorneys have decades of experience representing those injured in the oilfield because of someone else’s negligence. We can help you navigate the challenging process of filing a claim and help you differentiate the options available to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. Our firm obtained a $4.5 million verdict for a defective oilfield derrick and $3.5 million when an oilfield crane dropped onto a worker who sustained serious injuries. Our founder and senior partner Daniel Rodriguez, has personal experience working on oilfields as a roustabout and mechanic and understands the dangerous conditions that oilfield workers face.
If you have sustained injuries or a loved one has died while working in an oil field in California, consulting with a qualified oil field injury attorney can help you evaluate your case and take action with a personal injury lawsuit. Contact our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation of your case.