Over the past two decades, the oil and gas extraction industry experienced unprecedented growth. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that between 2003 and 2013, the oil and gas industry doubled its workforce and increased the number of drilling rigs by 71%.
With this increase in demand comes the temptation to cut corners when it comes to worker safety. This inevitably leads to more on-the-job accidents, injuries, and fatalities for these workers. In 2019 alone, there were more fatalities in the offshore industry than there were between 2014 and 2017 combined.
Additionally, these for-profit oil and gas companies often push injured workers to specific clinics or hospitals that are paid for by the oilfield company. What this means is that an injured oilfield worker may visit a doctor who is getting a monetary incentive to clear the employee to go back to work, even if the worker can’t actually work! Ultimately, this may lead to the employee being fired due to their inability to perform their job functions as a result of their injuries.
Increasing Oilfield Injuries and Fatalities
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were 489 oil and gas workers who died on the job between 2013 and 2017. These numbers include oil and gas extraction workers, crude oil and gas haulers, and workers in similar industries doing oil and gas work.
The agency also cited that the most common incidents that can result in fatalities for oil and gas workers include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Struck-by / caught-in / caught-between
- Explosions and fires
- Falls
- Confined spaces
- Chemical exposures
Sadly, rising fatalities in the oil and gas field are largely due to negligent employers who fail to identify hazards and mitigate dangers in order to keep workers safe. Oilfield accident attorneys like the ones at our firm are dedicated to keeping these companies accountable to deter hazardous workplaces and ensure employee safety is a top priority.
Protecting the Rights of Oilfield Workers
At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our Shreveport oilfield accident attorneys understand how your entire life can come crashing down if you’re injured while working on an oil field. We have decades of legal experience protecting the rights of real people injured across Texas and Louisiana.
You have our word that we will work hard on your behalf to help you obtain the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, if your loved one was killed while working in the oil and gas extraction industry, our team will guide you through the process of filing a wrongful death claim.
Contact our team right away at (318) 221-1508 to learn more about your legal options. We offer free case reviews and clients pay nothing out of pocket to retain our services.
