San Angelo Oil Field Accident

West Texas’ Permian Basin has become one of the major oil producers in the world. According to a report by the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, in 2018 Texas pumped 1.54 billion barrels, 277 million more barrels than the previous year. But with such a high demand for fossil fuels, oil companies sometimes overlook safety measures and rush work. The U.S. occupational fatality rate for oil and gas companies is four to seven times higher than other workers, and many of these fatalities occur in Texas. If you or a loved one live in San Angelo and have been affected by an oilfield accident, a West Texas oilfield injury attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your accident and take the proper legal action.

The industry booming in the Permian Basin and the associated oil companies have promised high wages, which has attracted many workers to join the West Texas oilfields. With long hours, speed bonuses, extreme weather, and heavy machinery, oilfield accidents are unfortunately common. Here a few West Texas oilfield accident statistics:

• On what people call “Death Highway,” U.S. 285, 103 oil truck accidents have occured in 2018. This jumped from only 16 accidents in 2017. Deaths and injuries due to these accidents continue to rise.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention have found that 41% of all oilfield fatalities from 2007 to 2012 happened in Texas.
• A Texas oil industry investigation done by the Houston Chronicle revealed that 79 people suffered amputations, 82 people were crushed to death, 92 suffered burns, and 675 broke bones, all in 2012 alone.

Although the statistics are appalling, legislators and government officials have not done much to make sure oilfield workers are working in safe conditions. With the Permian Basin growing, accidents are likely to happen now more than ever. Our West Texas oilfield injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have represented hundreds of people in San Angelo in the aftermath of disastrous drilling rig accidents, oil truck crashes, and pipeline explosions.

Here are a few examples of the types of oilfield accidents that our attorneys see when working with injured clients.

• Slips and falls
• Fires and explosions
• Entrapment
• Equipment failures
• Work rig collapses

Depending on the nature of the accident, they can result in hearing loss, broken bones, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and back injuries. If new oilfield employees are not properly trained, they can put themselves and other workers in danger as well.

After an oilfield accident, our lawyers suggest following this advice:

• Report your injury to your employer and ask if there is a certain doctor you are required to see.
• Seek medical attention.
• Do not sign any paperwork without an attorney.
• Finally, schedule a meeting with one of our San Angelo personal injury lawyers.

Following these tips can increase your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries. Since each accident is unique, we need to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss your workers’ compensation benefits and potential personal injury claim against an at-fault third party or negligent employer.

Do you identify with any of these West Texas oilfield accident statistics? If so, we do not want you to take on big oil companies alone. Our passionate and dedicated West Texas oilfield injury attorneys know that accidents are a time of financial, emotional, and physical stress for you and your family. Our lawyers believe West Texas oilfield workers need protection and deserve compensation for their injuries. If you have been in an oilfield accident in San Angelo, call us at 432-620-0544.