Houston has one of the largest industrial workforces in the United States. In fact, the majority of Houston residents work in the oil and gas, chemical plants, shipping, and large construction industries. These industries provide a lot of jobs and help the local economy, but they also place workers in hazardous environments where serious injuries occur more frequently than in most other occupations.
Knowing why Houston’s oilfield workers face so many dangers shows why safety matters, why companies must be held responsible, and why strong legal help is important if an accident happens. Talk to a Houston oilfield accident lawyer today.
The Size of Houston’s Industrial Sector
Houston’s economy depends heavily on industry. The Port of Houston is one of the most active ports in the country, and the area is often referred to as the “Energy Capital of the World.” Oil refineries, chemical plants, warehouses, and factories run night and day in order to keep the city moving.
Since these industries are so incredibly massive, tens of thousands of workers are around heavy machines, dangerous chemicals, and hard physical work on a daily basis. Constantly being in these dangerous conditions makes serious accidents much more likely to occur.
Hazards Common in Houston Industrial Environments
Houston industrial workers face numerous hazards that could lead to life-changing injuries. These dangers include defective or broken equipment, exposure to noxious chemicals, falls from heights, fires, and explosions. Most jobs are quite fast-paced, and strict deadlines can push workers to hurry their tasks and ignore important safety regulations.
Many job sites also have multiple outside companies and contractors working together, which can make safety rules confusing and lead to mistakes. If even just one safety regulation is overlooked, workers can be seriously and permanently injured.
The Effects of Regulatory Challenges and Safety Violations
Although there are state and federal safety rules in place, a lot of job sites do not obey them. Workers may not be issued safety gear, receive training, or have safe, functioning equipment. Companies frequently attempt to save money by cutting corners on safety measures, which often endangers workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration checks workplace safety, but is simply unable to visit every single job site. Due to this, a lot of safety issues go largely unnoticed until someone is seriously injured or killed. In Houston’s large industrial sector, this means workers face unsafe conditions every day.
The Real Impact on Workers and Families
The effects of industrial accidents do not stop at the injury. Workers who suffer serious harm, such as burns, traumatic amputations, spinal cord damage, or brain injuries, often deal with problems for the rest of their lives. Their families will likely face lost income, growing medical bills, and the emotional strain of caring for someone who has been badly injured.
In the very worst cases, workers die, and their families are left grieving while trying to handle wrongful death claims. These tragedies show why it is so important to hold careless companies responsible when they put profits ahead of worker safety.
Why Legal Representation is Necessary for Houston’s Injured Industrial Workers
Industrial accident claims are often hard to sort out. More than one party may be at fault, such as an employer, a contractor, or the company that made the equipment. The insurance companies for these parties often work hard to pay as little as possible.
For workers and their families, securing fair financial compensation usually means working with an experienced Houston oilfield injury lawyer. A lawyer can uncover safety violations, determine liability, and calculate your actual long-term damages. With robust legal support, victims are able to seek remuneration for hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Talk to a Houston Oilfield Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love was badly hurt while working in Houston’s industrial sector, you deserve strong legal help. The experienced Houston oilfield injury lawyers at Parks Law understand the dangers industrial workers face and are ready to hold careless companies responsible.
If you were hurt on the job, don’t wait to get help. Call a Houston oilfield injury lawyer at Parks Law today at (713) 979-3500 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation and find out what options are available to you.