Oil Related Injuries on the Job

02 Oct Oil Related Injuries on the Job

The Oil Craze of yesteryear hasn’t completely died down even in 2009. Oil is still a valuable resource and unfortunately some oil tycoons are still more concerned with profit than taking care of their employees’ health. Drilling for oil is one of the most dangerous professions in the country. On the other hand, oil as a commodity is becoming scarcer while prices are drastically increasing.
In Texas for example, a state that is synonymous with “big oil”, oil prices are reaching new heights. Whereas in the year 2002 crude oil was down to $30 per barrel, today it is up to an average of $100 per barrel, according the New York Times. This means that oil companies are streamlining their businesses, and are demanding more from their workers than is sometimes reasonable. They want long hours, plenty of overtime, and vigorous effort even if that comes at the expense of one’s good health.

The least you would expect from an oil company is to have the decency to take care of you if you become injured on the job. Unfortunately, some oil companies are unwilling to compromise when it comes to a fair settlement. They may try and argue that a workplace injury or even a wrongful death was beyond their control or their jurisdiction. They may even suggest that if the injured party was a subcontractor, and not an employee, that he has somehow waived all rights to workers compensation. The worst case scenario, of course, is wrongful death resulting from an oil-related construction accident. It can be very hard to fight the system during your grieving period—all the more difficult if the company doesn’t want to pay up. Hence, it is recommended that you hire a workers compensation lawyer who will handle all the legal matters while you tend to your family’s needs.

However, if you or a family member has been injured in an oil-drilling related workplace injury because of negligence, then you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Lawsuits have been filed and won over third party contractor construction accidents, testing operations, wire line operations, restoration, and practically every phase of the oil drilling process. Oil is an expensive business for sure. However, life is always more valuable. If you have suffered injustice because of an oil field accident, contact a workers compensation lawyer to get assistance with claims. A workers comp attorney can help the victims seek compensation to help pay for their medical bills and other expenses.