Louisiana Oilfield Accident Lawyers
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Louisiana Oilfield Injury Attorneys Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, and Mansfield, Louisiana
Helping oilfield workers who have been injured on the job and are seeking workers’ compensation.
If you are injured on the job in an oilfield accident, whether you were completing your assigned duties or even in a car accident while working, you may have a workers’ compensation claim on your hands. Workers’ compensation claims are complex and can be very stressful, especially within the oil and gas industry. The last thing oil and gas workers need is added stress and worry over their claims. This is where an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer comes in.
Our Louisiana oilfield accident lawyers at Gordon & Gordon Law Firm can advise you on whether or not you have a workers’ compensation case for your oilfield injury. If you do, they will be able to give you all of the advice you need, let you know what benefits you are entitled to, and take the stress out of the process by handling and filing your workers’ comp case for you. For a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your claim, call Gordon & Gordon Law Firm at 318-716-HELP today.
What Causes an Oil Field Accident?
There are a number of potential causes of oilfield accidents. Some of the more common include overexertion, slips and falls, falls from heights, falling objects, motor vehicle accidents, repetitive motion injuries, defective equipment, fires and explosions, and more.
- Overexertion Injuries – This includes injuries related to pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying, and throwing-type activities at work. Any injury that is accumulated by excessively straining motions may be considered an overexertion injury.
- Slipping/Tripping – Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of all on-the-job injuries. This pertains to falls on wet and slippery floors or trips over something lying on the floor. To avoid these types of workplace accidents, employees should always remain vigilant of their surroundings, while employers should implement strict safety guidelines to ensure spills are promptly cleaned and no debris or potentially hazardous obstacles are present.
- Falling from Heights – This type of accident occurs when a worker falls from an elevated area such as roofs, ladders, scaffolding, and stairways. They may be caused by slip and fall hazards or due to faulty equipment. These types of accidents can be reduced by the use of proper personal protection gear, training, and employee diligence.
- Falling Objects – When an object or piece of equipment falls from above and lands on a worker, the results can be devastating. Depending on the size, weight, and height that the object fell from, it can leave struck oilfield workers with catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury and, in some cases, even death.
- Vehicle Accidents – According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), motor vehicle crashes are actually the leading cause of death among oil and gas workers. Many people overlook this type of oilfield accident, but transporting materials to and from well sites is one of the many duties of oilfield workers. Our Shreveport car accident attorneys at G&G have handled many workers’ comp cases involving commercial truck drivers, so we know what it takes to handle these often complex cases.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries – This type of workplace injury is one of those less obvious but definitely harmful ones in the long run. Repetitive motions, such as frequent heavy lifting, can inevitably cause serious repetition injuries such as back pain, strained muscles, and overworked joints. Employee training and the use of proper ergonomic equipment can help keep these incidents low.
- “Caught-Between” Accidents – A “caught-between” accident, as well as “struck-by” and “caught-in” accidents, are exactly what they sound like. These accidents are often a result of moving vehicles or heavy equipment, but can also be a result of falling objects.
- Defective Equipment – Oil rigs are often stocked with dangerous heavy machinery. Misuse of this machinery by way of human error is always possible and can lead to a devastating work-related injury, but sometimes, it’s the equipment itself that is at fault. Defective equipment injuries may be due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or even failure to warn. Regardless, when a piece of equipment or machinery is defective, it can cause serious injuries to surrounding workers.
- Fires and Explosions – Similar to heavy machinery, oilfield work is often rife with dangerous chemicals. Chemical plant explosions and oilfield refinery accidents often trace back to human error, not following OSHA regulations, poor maintenance, a faulty valve, and failure to adhere to safety guidelines. These fires and explosions can lead to devastating, often fatal injuries, including burn injuries and smoke-inhalation injuries.
- Safety Violations – With jobs as hazardous as those in the oil and gas industry, it is imperative that employers establish strict safety measures and guidelines. This includes in-depth training, hazard evaluation, implementing safe practices, and wearing proper protective gear. The poor planning or communication of these guidelines can lead to catastrophic results.
Oilfield Accident Injuries
As you can see, oil field accidents can occur in a number of different ways. Similarly, they can also lead to any number of injuries. An oilfield injury can range in severity from minor to life-altering. Some of the more common oilfield injuries our Bossier City, Mansfield, and Shreveport personal injury attorneys see at Gordon & Gordon Law Firm include:
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and accidental amputation injuries
- Back injuries
- Poisoning from inhalation of dangerous chemicals
- And more
In addition to helping injured workers following oilfield accidents, our NWLA injury lawyers at Gordon & Gordon also assist family members of deceased workers. If your loved one was killed during the completion of duties in oilfield work, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
When you turn to our Shreveport wrongful death lawyers for legal representation, we will ensure you and your family receive maximum compensation for the unthinkable losses you have experienced as a result of their passing. Please call us today for a free consultation to learn more about your options.
What Steps Should You Take Following an Oil Field Accident?
Training, diligence, and proper safety measures and equipment are instrumental elements to reducing workplace accidents and injuries. However, when it comes to bringing workers home safely, it is not enough. Education is what takes workplace safety to the next level. If you are injured at the workplace, you should follow these steps to ensure that you meet the requirements to collect your workers’ compensation:
- Get immediate medical care.
- Document your personal injury with your employer, immediately.
- If your injury is one that builds up over time, report it as soon as you discover that it may be work-related.
- Obtain the help of a law firm experienced in personal injury and workers’ comp law.
What Should Your Employer Do After an Oil Field Accident?
Most oilfield workers are aware of the inherent dangers and high risk of potentially serious accidents that come along with the job. However, they trust in their employer and the Louisiana workers’ compensation system to help them if a serious workplace accident should occur.
Gas and oil companies possess certain responsibilities when workers have been hurt on the job. They are required by Louisiana Law Title 23 to have Workers’ Compensation Insurance in the event that there are workers injured while on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to protect you when you get hurt and will help cover your:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills, including all future medical treatment
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits
- Death benefits for fatal accidents
If you or a co-worker are hurt while working, your employer must take your personal injury seriously and document the facts surrounding the oilfield accident. They must also make sure an accident investigation is carried out to help reveal the root of the problem and point toward safety improvements.
How Our Northwest Louisiana Oilfield Injury Lawyers Can Help
It is the right of injury victims to seek compensation for their medical expenses and time off work when they have been injured during the scope of their employment. The best way to ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to is by obtaining the help of a skilled workplace injury lawyer.
Keep in mind, there are also cases where injured workers may file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to their workers’ compensation claim. If an outside third-party’s negligence contributed to the accident, our dedicated Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Gordon & Gordon Law Firm will take all the necessary steps to secure a settlement from the other party by proving negligence on their part and ensuring they are held responsible for their careless actions.
Here at the law offices of Gordon & Gordon, we’ve had decades of experience handling both oil industry and gas industry injury claims, with millions recovered on behalf of our clients. We have office locations in Shreveport, Mansfield, and Bossier City and would be happy to help you pursue compensation and navigate the complexities of your Louisiana oilfield injury claim. To establish an attorney-client relationship or to schedule a free case review with our oilfield accident lawyers, call 318-716-HELP or reach out to us online today.