Oilfield workers labor in dangerous conditions to provide for their families and play an important role in boosting the U.S. economy. In fact, a steady supply of oil is critical to the American way of life. Unfortunately, oilfield injuries in Texas frequently leave workers injured and unable to earn an income.
When oilfield workers are harmed by explosions or equipment malfunctions, they can sustain life-altering injuries, such as hand injuries, which are alarmingly common.
EHS Today published statistics on oil field hand injuries, reporting, “According to the International Association of Drilling Contractors 2014 statistics, hand and finger injuries comprised 43 percent of all recordable incidents on drilling rigs.”
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we represent workers who have been injured in catastrophic oil field accidents. We have witnessed the physical and emotional pain these accidents cause, and we fight for injured workers to receive fair compensation.
Here, we’ll review the types of oilfield hand injuries and what compensation could be available.
What Hand Injuries Do Workers Suffer?
Oil field workers use heavy machinery and dangerous chemicals, which can lead to many different hand injuries, including:
- Burns,
- Lacerations,
- Broken bones,
- Muscle strains,
- Nerve damage, and
- Severed limbs.
While we often take functioning hands for granted, injured workers become painfully aware that hand injuries can severely impact your life. You may no longer be able to work, drive, or even pick up your child. Such life-altering oilfield injuries deserve fair compensation.
How Can a Worker Avoid Hand Injuries?
Unfortunately, hand injuries aren’t always avoidable in the oil field due to the dangerous working conditions. However, there are some things a worker can do to minimize their risk, such as the following:
- Attend required safety training giving an oilfield injuries overview;
- Wear protective, high-performance gloves; and
- Review safety alerts.
While workers can take steps to minimize their risks of hand injuries, an employer must take responsibility when a worker is injured on the job.
What Compensation Is Available?
Injured workers deserve fair compensation for their hand injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the oil field accident, several types of compensation may be available, including:
- Workers’ compensation,
- Personal injury claim against your employer, and
- Personal injury claim against a third party.
Normally, an injured worker will be eligible for workers’ compensation, which means that they can’t sue their employer for their injury. However, if the employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance or if a manufacturer’s negligence caused the accident, the employee may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact a Skilled Oil Field Attorney
If you sustained a hand injury on an oil field, you should contact an experienced attorney. At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., our lawyers work tirelessly for oil field accident victims, helping many clients recover significant compensation.
Contact us for a free consultation, where you can tell us about your accident experience, and we can inform you of your legal options. If you hire us, we work on contingency, meaning you owe us nothing until we win your compensation.
Alejandro Acosta
Mr. Acosta is a lifelong resident of El Paso. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 2000 and graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 2004. Mr. Acosta went on to attend Sandra Day O’ Connor College of Law (Arizona State Law School). He graduated in 2008, receiving his J.D. and his Indian Legal Certificate for his work in Indian Law and dealings with various tribal nations throughout Arizona. Alejandro has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 2008 and has been licensed in the State of New Mexico since 2011.
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