5 Oilfield Accident Facts You Should Know
When most people think of dangerous occupations, construction work is probably one of the first that comes to mind. But oilfield work is just as risky, if not more. Companies are trying to squeeze even more profits out of their workers. This puts an incredible amount of pressure on workers in the process. Just one tiny lapse of focus can have terrible consequences. If you’ve suffered an oilfield injury, please get in touch with a Sand Law attorney as soon as possible. We have years of experience representing clients who have been severely hurt due to workplace injuries. We’re ready to put our knowledge and skill to work on your behalf. You can count on us to do everything we can to help you obtain all the compensation you deserve. For more information on how we may be able to help, please use our online contact form or call 701-609-1510 to schedule a free case review. The following are five things that most people probably don’t know about the dangers associated with working in an oilfield. 1. Oil is One of the Most Dangerous Industries to Work In The dangers inherent in an oilfield simply can’t be overstated. Not only...
Emergency Response: The Critical Steps After an Oil Field Accident
Summary Taking essential steps after an oil field accident can help protect your ability to seek workers’ compensation benefits. The oil and gas industry is dangerous, and accidents put oil workers at a higher risk for serious injury. Oil field accidents can leave injured workers with physical, emotional, and financial damages, and obtaining fair compensation can be complicated. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages but may leave significant damages unaddressed. Working with an oil field accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Oil workers take pride in their jobs, and for good reason. It’s tough work, and often dangerous. Accidents can result in significant injuries and property damage. If you or a loved one has been involved in an oil field accident, you may be wondering what to do next. Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can follow to protect yourself. For additional help, reach out to our capable team at Sand Law PLLC. We have a proven track record of helping injured oil workers receive fair compensation after an accident. As North Dakota’s premier oil field injury attorneys, we bring years of successful negotiating experience and a relentless...
The Hazards of Truck Accidents in the Oil and Gas Industry
Summary The hazards of truck accidents in the oil and gas industry are far too prevalent, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. Fatigue, negligent loading, inadequate training, and equipment failures contribute to these accidents. A skilled truck accident attorney can help victims pursue compensation avenues other than worker’s compensation. For some, working in the oil and gas industry means facing the risk of severe injury or death daily. The hazards of truck accidents pose some of the most significant risks. Not only can an accident lead to significant short-term pain and debilitation, but it can also result in long-term consequences. Workers injured in oilfield accidents deserve compensation for their suffering. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, a truck accident attorney with Sand Law will work to help you get the money you have coming. You can schedule a free consultation by calling 701-609-1510 or contacting us online. Why Truck Accidents Happen in the Oil and Gas Industry The oil and gas industry relies heavily on transporting goods, equipment, and personnel to and from drilling sites. This constant movement of trucks on highways, often carrying heavy loads, increases the likelihood of a tragedy. More than 40% of workplace deaths...
What Happens if My Workers’ Comp Claim is Denied After an Oilfield Accident?
There are a lot of dangerous jobs in North Dakota, of course. There were 34 work-related deaths in our state in 2021. But oilfield work is especially hazardous. There have been more than 70 deaths in North Dakota oilfields since 2006. However, not all oilfield accidents are fatal. Though, they can lead to severe, life-altering injuries. When an accident occurs, workers rely on workers' compensation to provide financial support for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation. However, there are instances where insurers deny legitimate workers' compensation claims. The following is a look at the causes of oilfield accidents, common reasons for claims denial, and the steps to take if an insurer denies your claim. The attorneys with Sand Law are ready to answer all your questions and fight for your rights if an insurance company has denied your workers’ comp claim. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510 for a free consultation. Causes of Oilfield Accidents in Fargo, North Dakota Oilfields are inherently hazardous workplaces due to the combination of complex operations, heavy machinery, high-pressure systems, and flammable materials. Accidents in these environments can result in severe injuries, fatalities, and environmental...
Should I Go Back to Work After an Oilfield Injury?
It doesn’t matter whether an oilfield worker is a 20-year veteran or an undocumented immigrant who just got started on the job site. When an accident takes place that results in a severe injury, the first thing most of these workers want to do is to get back on the job as fast as they can. But this is often a mistake, not only from a health perspective. Going back to work too soon after an injury may limit your ability to obtain maximum compensation. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, please don’t make a move until you speak with a Sand Law attorney. Our team of experts will listen to the details surrounding your injury. And we'll let you know how we can help you get the money you deserve for the suffering you’ve had to endure. You can schedule a free, no-obligation review of your case by contacting us online. Or give us a call at 701-609-1510. Here’s some information on what you should keep in mind if you’re hurt in an oilfield accident. Steps to Take Before You Return to Work There are a lot of reasons that oilfield accidents take place. But most of...
Common Causes of North Dakota Oil Field Accidents and Explosions
Oilfield work is one of the most dangerous occupations. And when an accident occurs, it can have devastating consequences. There are many factors that contribute to a disaster, such as an explosion, that can result in life-altering injuries as well as fatalities. When something this terrible happens, the victims, as well as the family members of workers who lose their lives, are entitled to compensation. The attorneys with Sand Law can help you pursue that compensation if you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in an oilfield accident. If you would like to learn more, we urge you to contact us online or call 701-609-1510 as soon as you can to schedule a free consultation. How Does Negligence Cause Oil Field Accidents and Explosions? In far too many instances, oil field accidents and explosions are entirely preventable. That’s what makes the consequences even more tragic. Executives and supervisors are expected to do everything they can do to make this type of dangerous environment as safe as possible. This means they need to regularly – and thoroughly – inspect machinery and equipment. When those people fail to do their jobs correctly, horrible accidents can be the result. A faulty piece...
FAQ about Oil Field Accident and Injuries
Oil field injuries are dangerous and can be fatal. Severe injuries often cause a change in one's quality of life—affecting many different aspects such as ability to continue working, mental health, and ongoing physical pain and pain management. Oil fields rank as one of the most dangerous places to work. There are an average of 46 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Approximately 20 of these fatalities occur in the United States, as of 2018. If you or someone you love has been injured as the result of an oil field accident, keep reading to have all of your questions about oil field injury answered. What are some of the dangers associated with working in an oil field? There are various hazards associated with working in the oil drilling industry. The use of heavy machinery puts many at risk for crushing injuries, and the loud work environment can make it much more difficult to properly communicate. Communication is essential in hazardous situations, with poor communication, someone could easily get hurt. Oil is also highly flammable, so explosions and fires are possible. Overall, the work is incredibly hard and dirty, making for long days that result in careless or tired workers that could...
The Rights of Undocumented Immigrants After an Oil Field Injury
Although oil field injury damages are often settled through legal action, this may not seem possible for North Dakota undocumented workers. What is the Role of Undocumented Immigrant Workers the US? Undocumented immigrants work in the community more than you may think and help to keep many businesses afloat, especially labor-intensive workplaces like construction and the oil field industry. The number of undocumented immigrants in the US is estimated to be between 10.5 and 23 million, or about 3.2% to 3.6% of the countries population. In 2018, 65.7% of foreign-born adults work in labor-intensive fields, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, or CBPP for short. By relation, only 59.8% of native-born adults were employed in similar roles in the same year. In short, undocumented immigrants help to bolster the community in many ways. They’ll accept jobs that native-born people often won’t. And the CBPP also states that undocumented immigrants also often become industry leaders, creating more jobs for both immigrants and native born people. Undocumented Immigrants and the North Dakota Oil Industry North Dakota is a leader in STEM fields, especially fields like oil and gas. As one of the biggest states for oil field work, they...
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim Caused by a Fatal Oilfield Accident
The boom in the North Dakota fossil fuel industry has created lucrative jobs for many long-term and new residents in North Dakota. This boom has led to many high paying jobs, better standards of living than many people could have hoped for, and a future for people's children that they didn't have themselves. But, unfortunately, those wages can come with some seriously high risks. Oil drilling and extraction is an inherently dangerous undertaking with a fatality rate that is 5 times greater than most other industries. In fact, 2018 saw 13 deaths for every 100 full-time oil industry employees. Oilfield Injury Accidents on the Rise According to the CDC, as the number of rigs in the United States increases, so does the number of fatalities. In 2017, the number of rigs increased to 876 from 510 rigs in the previous year. Likewise, fatal accidents spiked from 29 to a total of 69. What Makes Oil Field Accidents So Deadly? On-shore and off-shore drilling exposes employees to both environmental and chemical hazards. One of the most prominent risks on an oil rig is fire. Hydrogen sulfide, one of the many chemicals that is abundant in oil fields, is highly flammable. It...
Oilfield Injuries | Third Party Liability & Worker’s Compensation
Worker's Compensation for North Dakota Oilfield Injuries Working in the oil and gas industry can be dangerous. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes oil and gas under the broad category of “mining.” Oil and gas-related accidents account for over 70% of fatal accidents within the entire mining industry, and the fatality rate for the oil and gas industry is over seven times higher than the nation-wide average—over 24 deaths per 100,000 workers annually. During the height of the Bakken oil boom, North Dakota had the highest rate of workplace fatalities in the country, according to a study by the AFL-CIO. The rise in fatal accidents in North Dakota is largely due to the expansion of oil drilling operations, as well as the associated construction and transportation needs. Unfortunately, the high fatality rate has not diminished even as the drilling boom tapered off. As recently as 2015, death rates on the oil fields were actually rising. Industry analysts and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials note that falling crude oil prices may have driven oil companies to hire less experienced contractors, relax safety training and standards, and push workers to work in unsafe conditions. High turnover, long...
13 Most Common Oilfield Injuries and Accidents
A lot of jobs can be dangerous, but the oil and gas industry is one of the deadliest, especially when it comes to working in an oilfield. When asked about the high number of severe injuries in the occupation, OSHA chief David Michaels responded with, “It’s not at all surprising. It’s consistent with the very high fatality rate.” In 2016, the rate of severe injuries went down quite a bit, following the decline of oilfield employment. This also followed an improving safety record, but how safe is it now? When it comes to severe injuries, oil-field workers take the cake for the most injured. Out of 234,403 employed in 2016, there were 349 severely injured. That’s a rate of 148.9 per 100,000. That’s more than industrial building construction, which follows behind at 133.5 per 100,000. Common Injuries from Oilfield Accidents Severe injuries, as noted above, are very common on the oilfield. Severe injuries is a broad term. How are workers actually getting injured and what’s causing the high rates? Michaels says that, “Many employers don’t accurately record their injuries.” However, he also believes that severe injuries are more accurately reported because they’re harder to ignore. “No one says ‘keep working’...
Oil Field Creates Dangerous Conditions
North Dakota oil fields are distinctly dangerous, according to various reports of injuries and deaths that occur across the state within the oil and gas extraction industries. Statistics on North Dakota Oil Field Dangers In 2015, North Dakota had the highest workplace fatality rate with 12.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. By contrast, the national average fatality rate is only 3.4. This means that North Dakota workplace deaths are nearly four times that of the national average. Additionally, from 2014 to 2015, there was an increase of about 28% in the number of workplace fatalities in North Dakota. However, not all of these deaths were related to oil fields. When looking at the mining sector as a whole, there are about 11.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. This is over three times the national average for workplace fatalities. Of those deaths, 74% of fatal work injuries occur in the oil and gas extraction industries. Aside from oil field deaths, many workers become injured while on the job. Some injuries may have permanent effects, like spinal and traumatic brain injuries. Why are Oil Fields so Dangerous? Some common causes of on-the-job deaths among oil field workers in North Dakota include: Accidents caused by...