Oilfield Accidents Caused by Equipment Failures
Oilfield and oil rig workers handle high-speed equipment and heavy machinery on a daily basis. This increases the potential for serious on-site accidents, which may result in catastrophic injuries and even death. Negligent employer practices, such as defective equipment failure, inadequate safety regulations, lack of safety gear, absence of warning systems, and poor employee training only add to the risk.
In some cases, oilfield accidents caused by equipment failure may lead to life-altering consequences for the oilfield employee and their family members. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a catastrophic equipment failure accident on an oilfield, you have the right to seek compensation. You should talk to an informed and capable oilfield accident attorney to evaluate your legal options.
Causes of Louisiana Oilfield Equipment Failure
There are certain rules and regulations implemented by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) that is designed for safeguarding the health and safety of oilfield workers. Safety guides for employers help in recognizing and controlling machine hazards. This includes workers getting drawn into equipment or being crushed. Getting struck by moving parts or failed components can result in serious injuries too.
Many different types of equipment are used on oil rigs and oilfields. Workers are exposed to such equipment on a daily basis.
Without proper safety precautions and maintenance of the equipment, the safety of workers cannot be protected. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries owing to oilfield equipment failure accidents are not uncommon. These usually occur because of:
- Metal fatigue
- Improper use
- Inadequate maintenance
- Overstress
- Corrosion
- Design defects
- Welding defects
- Manufacturing defects
Common Causes of Louisiana Oilfield Accidents
These are a few causes of oilfield accidents:
- Failure to adhere to safety procedures, standards, and protocols
- Failure to properly communicate established or new safety procedures to all workers
- Failure to engage employees in appropriate safety training
- Failure to manage transit and protect visitors through the job site
- Failure to repair, replace, or maintain faulty equipment
- Delays in initiating repairs or inspecting equipment in a timely manner
- Improper installation or construction of equipment
- Cracks and fissures in pipelines, oil lines, and other fluid transportation means
- Unsuitable storage of waste materials and hazardous fluids
- Failure to maintain or provide fire suppression equipment
- Failure to outfit workers with helmets, goggles, containment suits, and other safety equipment
You shouldn’t delay contacting a results-oriented Louisiana maritime accident attorney if you have been injured in an oilfield accident. Your attorney will have the necessary resources and capacity to investigate the exact cause of the accident.
Common Injuries Caused by Equipment Failure
You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the equipment manufacturer if the malfunction or failure was caused by a defect instead of neglect. Injuries to oilfield workers can have life-altering consequences. You can be struck in the head or lose a limb. The severity of these injuries gets them generally categorized as catastrophic and permanent injuries.
These are the most common types of injuries caused as a result of equipment failure in oilfields:
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck and back injury
- Head injury
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Burn injuries
- Wrongful death
- Electrocution
Liability for Oil Industry Equipment Failures
Oil companies are required to follow stringent safety regulations that are put in place for protecting the safety of workers and avoiding unnecessary accidents. In most cases, oilfield and oil rig accidents occur because of negligence, which means you can hold the responsible parties liable for their negligent actions.
Failure to properly maintain equipment, providing inadequate operator training, and ignoring equipment safety standards are some of the key factors that can lead to preventable accidents and result in devastating injuries. You should not have to bear the financial, emotional, and physical burdens associated with the injury. Your oil rig explosion attorney will need to prove that the other party’s negligence led to your injuries for you to be successfully awarded compensation.
These are the different parties that could be held responsible for oil rig explosions:
- Employers: Employers can be held responsible if they failed to enforce safety regulations, provide their employees with appropriate equipment and training, and store combustible materials.
- Equipment Manufacturers: The manufacturer can be held liable if the equipment sent to your company was defective, which led to your injuries
A number of oilfield injuries happen because of a lack of communication between rig operators, employees, and heavy equipment operators or equipment failure. The burden of proof in a personal injury claim lies on the plaintiff. It’s best that you work with a reputable oilfield accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Legal Help is Here from Seasoned Oilfield Injury Attorneys in Louisiana
If you have suffered serious injury as a result of equipment failure on an oilfield or oil rig, the attorneys at the Trainor Law Firm can help you file a lawsuit against the negligent party for obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.
Our tough skilled and knowledgeable attorneys can help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages. We are happy to provide you with a free case evaluation. Call us at 985-545-3422 or reach us online.
