Drilling rig workers are completely aware of the fact that their occupation comes with an increased risk of injury than traditional labor jobs, but many of the injuries that occur on drilling rigs are avoidable if proper safety procedures and equipment are used.
Regardless of whether a rig worker is solely to blame for his or her injury, employers are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees and if negligence is a factor in any accident, additional compensation may be provided in accordance with local and federal laws. It is always important to do your own research and consult an attorney following any type of work related injury— including those caused by drilling rig accidents— simply to educate yourself on your rights and to determine whether you are owed compensation.
Causes of Drilling Rig Injuries
Drilling rig accidents are often preventable and result from the failure of workers to follow proper safety procedures, of employers to provide adequate personal protection equipment and the lack of supervision when employees are required to perform dangerous tasks. Equipment malfunctions are also an important contributor to drilling rig accidents and many of the more severe injuries occur when a device or machine fails to perform the task it was designed for or breaks in a manner that endangers workers nearby. Drilling rig workers are also subject to fatigue due to long hours and lack of adequate breaks between shifts and may exhibit delayed awareness and reaction time as a result.
The main types of accidents that result from these catalysts include the following.
- Leaking gas or flammable and toxic liquids that can result in immediate injury or medical complications later on due to prolonged exposure.
- Falling objects such as pipes, tools and other equipment.
- Blowouts due to defects, poor maintenance of machinery or failure to perform routine equipment safety inspections.
- Failure of safety equipment resulting in injury.
- Using the wrong tools to work on machinery or perform a task.
- Working without having received adequate training on work duties and safety procedures.
- Reckless actions by an employee that endanger others.
Who is Liable for Drilling Rig Injuries to Workers
Liability for a drilling rig injury may be shared between multiple parties depending on what caused the accident and how it may have been prevented. Were proper protocols followed, did machinery fail, did fatigue and overwork contribute or was the accident a result of a combination of these factors? In some instances, the employer, a negligent employee and the manufacturer of a device may all share responsibility for an accident if the equipment used was defective, the person using it was negligent and the employer failed to provide adequate training or safety equipment.
The first task of a personal injury lawyer evaluating a drilling rig injury case is to perform an investigation that will answer these questions so that you are able to understand for yourself what happened, who is responsible and what your rights are concerning compensation. It is important that you seek damages from the parties that are most likely to be found liable by a jury and which will be most likely to provide the compensation that you are entitled to.
The Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have experience and success representing clients under circumstances similar to your own, and are more than happy to answer your questions and evaluate your case for free before determining whether you have a case that is worth pursuing. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation with an attorney and to learn more about your rights as a worker and the responsibilities of your employer and other parties who may share liability in your case. We will take the time to inform you of what you can expect from the process from the very first steps until the matter goes to court or is settled so that you know exactly what to expect.
Our lawyers’ priorities are to place your interests and needs first when representing you and we are willing to place a guarantee on our work. If we are unable to assist you or accept your case and are unable to successfully secure compensation on your behalf, our services and time will be free of charge.
