Tulsa Oil Rig Accident Lawyers
Tough representation for Oklahoma victims of oil rig collapses, explosions, and blowouts
An oil rig is a structure above an oil well with special equipment for drilling oil and removing it. Oil rigs should be designed to withstand immense pressures and adverse weather conditions because anytime an oil rig accident happens, the results can be disastrous.
At Biby Law Firm, our Tulsa oil field accident lawyers are dedicated to helping each and every client obtain the best results possible. We work with professionals who understand the petroleum industry. In personal injury cases, we work tirelessly to show a loved one died, or a victim is suffering, due to the negligence of oil field owners, maintenance operators, and other entities. Contact us today to get the help you need.
How dangerous are oil rig accidents?
According to E&E News, the deadliest oil drilling explosion since the Deepwater Horizon explosion was a 2018 explosion and fire near Quinton, Oklahoma. That explosion killed five people. The investigation of the Quinton explosion included a review by the US Chemical Safety Board (USCSB) which is comparable to the National Transportation Safety Board. The Board concluded that the rig explosion was preventable – though the companies involved disagree. The Board found that “Alarms that could have warned the crew about the impending blowout were turned off” and “The rig's crew overlooked signs that large amounts of gas were pushing into the well.”
E&E News stated that “the numbers of injuries and death among oil-field workers has remained stubbornly high.” As of June 7, 2019 there are 948 “land-based drilling rigs working” in the US.
What are the types of oil rig accidents that may cause injury or death?
Deaths and catastrophic injuries can happen due to several types of Oklahoma oil rig accidents:
- Oil rig collapses. The structure can collapse due to poor design, non-quality materials, poor construction, and faulty maintenance. If the oil rig collapses, the energy worker can become struck by part of the rig causing a traumatic brain injury or become trapped due to metal from the derrick.
- Oil rig explosions. Oil workers are in regular contact with hazardous chemicals which can cause a fire if the chemicals react with oil which is very flammable. A careless match or cigarette can also a fire. Fires can cause the entire rig to explode. Oil companies need to be extremely cautious to ensure the safety protocols are created and respected to reduce the risk of this dangerous reaction.
- Oil rig blowouts. Blowouts usually happen because of above ground drilling pressure or below the ground movement of gases and liquids. When the pressures shift, the oil and chemicals escape into the air. When an oil rig blowout occurs, there is an uncontrolled release of crude oil and/or natural gas due to the failure of pressure control systems. Modern wells should be designed to prevent such uncontrolled pressure releases from occurring.
Why do Oklahoma oil rig workers get injured?
Oil rig deaths and injuries can occur if:
- Oil companies fail to follow federal and state regulations
- Oil companies fail to follow industry standards
- There is failure to properly to train workers or safety rules
- Oil companies use equipment that isn’t a good fit for the job
- Workers are fatigued and/or overworked
- There is poor communication between workers
- Oil companies put profits above safety
Workers who suffer oil rig injuries may find it hard to get quick medical treatment because the rigs are in isolated sections of the community.
What injuries can oil rig accidents cause?
Survivors can suffer multiple injuries depending on how the accident occurs. Some of these injuries are:
- Head trauma
- Severe burns
- Spinal injuries
- Wounds due to flying objects
- Internal organ damage
- Diseases and illnesses
- Loss of a limb or appendage
Workers may also suffocate, inhale smoke, break their bones, or suffer cuts and bruises. In the most tragic cases, they can die as a result of the accident or from the injuries they sustained.
Oil provides the energy we need to run our homes, our vehicles, and our businesses. The efforts used to extract, develop, and deliver oil and other energy sources are dangerous though. When deaths or injuries occur, our Tulsa oil rig accident lawyers have the experience and professional working relationships to help you get justice. Our caring lawyers understand how devastating death, third-degree burns, and other injuries are. We fight get victims and families all the compensation they deserve. We work aggressively to hold the oil rig owners and other responsible parties liable for your damage.
Hurt by an oil rig explosion or accident? Biby Law Firm can help.
Whether you work in Oklahoma or out-of-state, Biby Law Firm stands ready to help. If a loved one was killed or you are suffering due to an oil rig disaster, call us at 918-574-8458 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We handle oil rig accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We fight for families and victims of oil rig accidents throughout Oklahoma including the communities of Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Claremore, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Wagoner, Muskogee, and the surrounding areas.