Drilling Rig Accidents in California
Our California drilling rig accident lawyers assist victims in recovering compensation
While jobs in oil and gas drilling pay extremely well, they also expose workers to a significant risk of serious injury. Fortunately, in many cases, people who are hurt in drilling rig accidents are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or compensation through a personal injury claim.
At Blair & Ramirez LLP, we will review the facts of your case at no cost to you, and we will never collect legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule your free case evaluation with one of our attorneys, call our office today.
What causes drilling rig accidents?
Working in the oil and gas industry is inherently dangerous. Between the heavy machinery; loud and chaotic worksites; the potential for explosions and fires; and transportation, it is no surprise that oil and gas drilling is one of the most dangerous industries for workers. Some of the more common causes of accidents on drilling rigs include:
- Safety violations
- Employee or contractor negligence
- Falling objects
- Explosions and fires
- Inadequate training
- Dangerous safety procedures
- Employee fatigue
- Negligent hiring
In many cases, the cause of a serious drilling rig accident can be initially unclear. Oil and gas companies want to sweep the matter under the rug and settle their claims as soon as possible to limit their liability. For this reason, it is critical that anyone hurt in a drilling rig accident retain an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can investigate your case, protect your rights, and ensure that you obtain the full and fair value of your claim.
Common drilling rig accident injuries
Accidents that occur on drilling rigs can leave victims with extremely serious injuries. In some cases, these injuries can leave victims with long-term medical problems, an inability to return to work, or even permanent disabilities. Some of the more common serious injuries that occur in oil and gas rig accidents include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Any injury to the spinal column or the spinal cord itself can interfere with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. In cases where this communication is not completely cut off, victims often experience issues like pain, the loss of range of motion, and muscle weakness. In more serious cases, victims are paralyzed below the site of the injury, often permanently.
Other catastrophic injuries
Catastrophic injuries generally refer to injuries that cause permanent lack of function or disability. These injuries include amputations, brain injuries, organ damage, or injuries that affect a person’s ability to see or hear. People who sustain catastrophic injuries often incur a lifetime of economic and non-economic losses, making it imperative that they obtain the benefits or compensation to which they are entitled.
Workers’ compensation versus personal injury claims
If you have been hurt in a drilling rig accident, you may have heard that the only way you can get money for your medical expenses or lost income is by filing a workers’ compensation claim. While this is true in many cases, there are certain situations in which you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover for your losses.
It is important for an experienced personal injury attorney to determine whether this is the case for you, as the recovery in a personal injury claim is often significantly more than what is available through workers’ compensation. For this reason, you should always have a lawyer review your case before deciding for yourself that you cannot file a lawsuit.