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Oilfields are, by their very nature, very dangerous places to work. An oilfield accident can not only cause serious, painful injuries, but also potentially put an end to an oil worker’s career, as many oilfield jobs are very physically demanding.
Fortunately, oil workers in California are covered by workers’ compensation, which will cover medical treatment as well as provide benefits in case of temporary or permanent disability.
Common Causes of Oilfield Accidents
There are many ways an oilfield worker can become injured on a job site:
- Defective equipment
- Fires
- Explosions
- Toxic Fumes
- Falls
- Falling Objects
- Exposure to Gas
- Failure to follow safety procedures
- Fatigue
Workers’ compensation will cover injuries from all these causes. The main exceptions are self-inflicted injuries and injuries caused by the worker being intoxicated.
Types of Injuries Suffered in the Oilfield
Some of the most common injuries suffered by oilfield workers can include:
- Burn injuries
- Chemical burns
- Lung damage due to toxic fumes
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Electrocution
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Disfigurement
Workers’ Compensation
If an oilfield worker suffers a work-related injury, they may be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, which may cover such things as: partial wages, disability payments, coverage for all medical expenses that are related to the injuries caused by the accident, and payment for permanently disabling injuries.
Although worker’s compensation does help with many expenses, it fails to compensate the injured oilfield worker for other damages they may have incurred such as pain and suffering. In cases where the accident or injury was caused by a third party—such as the manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment—it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against that third party and secure damages for pain and suffering.
It is important to remember that workers’ compensation benefits are not automatic. There are many possible reasons why the insurance company paying the worker’s compensation benefits might decide to deny benefits. This makes it essential to have a workers’ compensation attorney who understands oilfield accidents on your side. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we understand the workers’ comp process in detail. We have helped many oilfield and other oil industry workers and we can help you too. Call 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
