From 2009 to 2015, OSHA ranked Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country, as the most dangerous place for workers. The city’s busy industrial areas, especially around the Houston Ship Channel, put people at high risk for environmental, health, and safety dangers. These conditions also leave many energy companies open to lawsuits and government action…
The oil and gas industry is one of the largest in the nation, and the U.S. Department of Labor says it will keep growing in the coming years. It has a big impact on our economy, but an important question remains: is it actually safe? For many workers and people hurt in oilfield accidents, the…
Who is at fault in an oilfield injury case? In many situations, the oil company is at least partly responsible. But sometimes another company or person, a third party, played a role in causing the accident. If a third party contributed to your injury, you may be able to get additional compensation outside of your…
What happens in the hours and days right after an accident can be even more important than the accident itself. The evidence that’s collected, or missed, during this time can have a major impact on both the legal case and the injured worker’s ability to recover financially and emotionally after an oilfield accident. If you…
When Texas lawmakers created the Workers’ Compensation Act, they wanted to give employers a choice: they may either join the workers’ compensation system or opt out of it. To encourage participation, the law offers a trade-off. Employers who join are generally protected from most employee lawsuits. Those who choose not to participate, known as non-subscribers,…
Explosions and fires at oil refineries are extremely dangerous and can kill or injure many workers at once. In addition to smoke inhalation and severe burns, workers caught in an explosion may suffer concussions, broken bones, or other injuries from the combustion or while attempting to flee. They may also experience hearing loss, falls, or…
Across the United States, tens of thousands of people make their living by working in oilfields. While it’s not uncommon for gas and oil workers to earn six-figure salaries, this reward is unfortunately overshadowed by the hazards of the job, as many workers find out to their cost. A study published by the U.S. Occupational…
Working on an oil rig is a challenging job. The physically demanding conditions and ever-present risks of the oil industry create an environment where accidents are all too common, sometimes resulting in devastating or fatal injuries. A report published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that quarrying, mining, and gas and oil…
Guards installed on oilfield machinery are designed to protect employees from injuries. If machinery has a part, process, or function that can cause harm, it must have a safety device or some other form of protective apparatus, like fall protection gear on scaffolding. Anytime a machine is being used, its guards and other safety devices…
In Houston oilfields, electrical hazards can cause operational disruptions, serious injuries, and deaths. The widespread reliance on electrical equipment in gas and oil operations, often combined with extreme environmental conditions, makes maintaining electrical safety a top priority. At Parks Law, PLLC, our Texas oilfield injury lawyers are committed to helping victims of electrical accidents in…
