Energy production is one of the biggest industries in Oklahoma, and it’s also one of the most dangerous to workers. Oilfield accidents happen all the time in our region’s fields, and injured oilfield and oil rig workers often need the guidance of one of our skilled accident attorneys in Oklahoma to help them seek monetary damages through a personal injury lawsuit. At Edwards & Patterson Law, our law firm has years of experience with unique circumstances of oilfield accidents, helping you and your loved ones receive the support and compensation you need when dealing with oilfield and oil rig injuries. If you’ve been injured in an industrial accident on an oilfield or oil rig, contact us sooner, rather than later for expert legal advice.
Why Do Oil Rig Accidents Occur in Oklahoma?
Oil rigs feature many different moving parts and industrial equipment that can malfunction and cause serious injuries to workers. In many situations, the extreme levels of pressure involved in oil and natural gas extraction may cause machinery to fail, while poor communication between team members, poorly trained employees, safety violations and inadequate safety mechanisms may also be to blame.
Even though the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains strict guidelines for how oil rigs in the oil and gas industry should operate, some companies fail to follow these regulations — and serious accidents, such as oil field explosions, may happen as a result. Because of this, oilfield workers are often at high risk of sustaining serious injuries on the job. Many oil field workers are injured in fires and explosions, and others are hurt in falls, electrical accidents, dangerous exposure to chemicals, equipment failures, and more.
There are many different types of injuries workers may suffer from oil field accidents, and the following are some of the most common oilfield injuries:
- Severe burn injuries
- Skin inflammation
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Eye damage
- Electrocution
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals
What To Do After an Accident in an Oil Field in McAlester?
Your first step, after seeking immediate medical attention if your injuries are serious, is to notify your employer in writing that an oilfield accident has occurred.
You should do this even if you don’t believe your injuries are significant, as some injuries take some time to show real symptoms.
If you will need to miss work to receive medical treatment, you may need to file a workers’ compensation claim to provide you with temporary oilfield compensation until you can return to your job.
It’s best to work with a knowledgeable oilfield accident lawyer to represent your best interests and to respond swiftly if your employer or its insurance company attempts to deny your oilfield claim.
What is the Statute of Limitations for an Injury Claim from an Oilfield Accident?
You should know that the state of Oklahoma sets on time-limit on personal injury lawsuit claims. This time limit is called the Statute of Limitations. This statute limits you to a two-year time frame in which you can bring your injury lawsuit claim to court. Should you not file your claim within that two-year time frame, you will have forfeited your opportunity to seek compensation via a lawsuit.
Contact the Oilfield Injury Lawyers in McAlester Today
If you’re suffering from an oil rig or oilfield injury, contact the experienced oilfield injury attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law, today for a free consultation in McAlester, Oklahoma.
We are not afraid to take on oil companies, and our oilfield injury lawyers will work to get you the settlement you deserve after your injury.
Contact one of our Oilfield Accident Attorneys
If you or someone close to you has been injured in an oil field accident, turn to the experienced workplace injury lawyers at Edwards & Patterson Law right away. From our offices in the Tulsa or McAlester areas, we serve injury victims throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma. We also take cases on a contingency basis, which means you only pay attorney’s fees if you collect damages. For a complimentary case evaluation, call 877-405-0216 or contact us online.