Oil and gas companies play a huge role in the Houston area, and Texas has long been a hub for the entire industry. Unfortunately, working in the oil and gas industry is often extremely dangerous, exposing employees to a significant risk of injury that can even be fatal. While many claims arising from gas and oilfield injuries fall under Texas’s optional workers’ compensation program, many will not, allowing victims to pursue traditional lawsuits against the responsible party or parties.
Among the more common events that may give gas or oilfield employees the right to sue are accidents caused by contractors operating on the same work site. Many tasks and duties are contracted out to other companies, and third party negligence is not covered under Texas’ workers’ compensation system. In addition, employers can be sued when accidents are a result of their or their employees’ gross negligence or under the Texas wrongful death statute. Some of the common kinds of negligence that can result in gas and oilfield accidents include:
- Driver error
- Exposure to harmful chemicals or gases
- Falls from heights
- Inadequate training
- Providing inadequate tools
The injuries that a person can sustain in a gas and oil field accident can be extremely severe. In the most serious of cases, victims may suffer from lifelong disabilities and be unable to work or live independently ever again. Even in less serious cases, people hurt in these accidents can have significant medical expenses often reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. As a result, it is extremely important that people injured in gas and oilfield accidents obtain the maximum amount of compensation to which they are entitled. The companies that operate in the oil and gas industry understand that they operate in a high risk industry and are ready to aggressively defend against claims arising from workplace injuries. As a result, the best way to maximize your chances of recovery is by hiring an attorney who is has experience and a track record of success in representing clients injured in gas and oilfield accidents.
Contact a Houston personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation
Victims injured in preventable gas and oilfield accidents deserve to be properly compensated by the responsible party or parties. To schedule a free consultation with attorney Stewart Guss, call our office today at (713) 766-5883 or send us an email through our online contact form available here.
