Texas Oilfield Chemical Exposure: What Workers Need to Know About Their Legal Rights

Chemical exposures at Texas oilfield sites can cause serious injuries to workers. Some of the injuries are life-changing, with thousands of dollars lost in medical expenses and related damages. If you have recently suffered injuries related to a chemical exposure at work in Texas, calling a trusted local lawyer, like the experts at Carabin Shaw, means protecting your rights and ensuring justice.

At Carabin Shaw, you begin your legal journey with a free case review. We then investigate your work accident and clarify your options for financial recovery. You pay nothing unless we win your case, so you can pursue a claim without adding to your financial burden. Contact us online or call toll-free, 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260 to schedule your consultation with one of our English- or Spanish-speaking staff members.

From equipment exhaust to well off-gassing, chemical exposures are a well-known work hazard in the oil and gas industry. Some chemicals may only cause eye or throat irritation, but a Texas oilfield chemical exposure containing hydrogen sulfide can cause rapid unconsciousness followed by a quick death. Silica dust is another known exposure, causing silicosis among unprotected workers who inhale it.

Other common chemical exposures at Texas oilfield worksites include:

• Methane
• Benzene
• Mercury vapor
• Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)

An oilfield chemical exposure in Texas may affect residents living near an oilfield as well as workers at the site. At Carabin Shaw, we help victims of chemical exposures seek fair compensation for their injuries. Our law firm’s client reviews show the positive impact fair settlements have had on our clients.

Texas Labor Code Chapter 411 states that employers must provide a safe workplace. You can also find a worker’s right to a safe workplace in federal law that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces. For the oil and gas industry, which is inherently dangerous, employers must take reasonable measures to control workplace hazards and prevent injuries when possible. A lawyer may argue that employers were negligent if they failed to do so and a worker suffered injuries as a result.

Aside from a safe workplace, workers also have the right to:

• Obtain immediate medical treatment for injuries
• Report a workplace injury and file a workers’ compensation claim
• Seek benefits or legal compensation for injuries
• File a third-party work injury claim

A Texas oilfield accident lawyer can help you file an injury claim with the correct entity, so you can receive compensation as soon as possible.

After a chemical exposure, physical recovery is the first priority. Victims of accidents should also consult work accident attorneys as soon as possible, so they can begin a work accident investigation. Companies may try to cover up negligent behavior, especially when the accidents cause severe injuries or death. A lawyer can help you collect evidence quickly before it degrades or disappears.

Injured workers must also find out whether their employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. If they do, the employer’s insurance policy may protect them from a lawsuit. An attorney can help you dispute insurance claims or file a personal injury claim against an employer or a third party. Understanding all your options protects your right to fair injury compensation.

Victims filing a personal injury lawsuit must file oilfield chemical exposure claims within two years of the injury, or sometimes within two years of the discovery of an injury. Navigating the Texas legal system and avoiding delays is difficult without professional legal guidance. An experienced attorney can help you avoid any mistakes and help you get the compensation you need while you recover.

Call the Texas oilfield injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw or contact us online to schedule a free case review.

For more information:

• OSHA - H2S Safety and Health Hazards
• Texas Statutes 411
• OSHA - Worker Rights and Protections
• Texas Statutes 16