Free Case Evaluation
Oklahoma City Oil Field Accident Lawyers
Experienced oil field injury and fatality attorneys fighting for full compensation
The oil and gas extraction industry is an inherently dangerous field. The constantly moving heavy industrial equipment, the danger of fire and explosion, the heights, and physically strenuous work - all contribute to a dangerous environment. Oil field accidents include blowouts, drilling accidents, transportation accidents, and toxic chemicals that are inhaled or get on a worker’s skin.
We know that the oil fields are a necessary part of our economy – but that doesn’t mean you deserve anything less than the best possible representation if you get hurt in the patch. If you or your loved one are hurt while working on an oil rig, a platform, or in oil fields, the Oklahoma City attorneys of Cunningham & Mears have the experience and knowledge to help show who is responsible, why they’re responsible, and what compensation you deserve.
Free Case Evaluation
How can we help?
- How do Oklahoma oil field accidents happen?
- What types of oil field claims can employees and non-employees file?
- Can manufacturers be held liable for defective oilfield machinery, equipment, and tools?
- What are the common causes of oilfield accidents in and near Oklahoma City?
- What types of injuries do oil field workers suffer?
- Do you have an Oklahoma City oil field accident lawyer near me?
How do Oklahoma oil field accidents happen?
In September 2023, it was reported that an Oklahoma oil field worker died at work due to inhaling fumes inside an oil tank. In another Oklahoma oil field accident, a worker was killed after he was pulled into a cable winch drum while working at an oil rig.
At Cunningham & Mears, our attorneys have 105 years of combined experience handling personal injury claims. We have the skills and resources to help you obtain workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury compensation for workplace injuries caused by all types of accidents in oil fields and on oil rigs in Oklahoma including:
- Oil rig explosions
- Collapsed rigs
- Fires and explosions
- Well blowouts
- Falls
- Being struck by objects
- Being caught between machinery or equipment
- Oil truck accidents
- Defective equipment accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Well drilling injuries
- Fracking accidents
- Faulty personal protection equipment
- Trench collapses
What types of oil field claims can employees and non-employees file?
If you were injured in Oklahoma oil fields or on an oil rig while on the job, compensation is generally provided by your employer or employer’s insurer through workers’ compensation to cover the costs of your medical bills, lost income due to temporary or permanent disability, and disfigurement. If you lost a loved one in an oil field accident, workers’ compensation also pays death benefits.
Although workers’ comp is the typical form of recovery for injured oil field workers, you may be entitled to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit if the negligence of a third party caused your injuries.
In many cases, it is difficult to determine the responsible party because of the number of contractors and subcontractors working in oil fields. Our lawyers analyze the details of your case to discover the liable parties and determine the best method of recovery for you. If we cannot provide you with the assistance you need, we refer you to attorneys who can.
Can manufacturers be held liable for defective oilfield machinery, equipment, and tools?
Workers in the oil and gas industry use heavy equipment, hand tools and machinery such as drills, forklifts, cranes, and other types of machinery every day. If one of these pieces of equipment malfunctions, is defective, or is not properly maintained, a worker can suffer a grave injury or even death.
With an injury caused by defective equipment, the injured worker may be able to file a third-party product liability claim against the equipment manufacturer and recover far more in damages than they would receive from a workers' compensation claim. With a product liability claim, the injured worker might also recover compensation for his/her pain and suffering (which workers’ compensation doesn’t pay) and 100% of his/her wage losses (instead of the 70 percent workers' compensation usually pays). Both employees and non-employees can file product liability claims.
What are the common causes of oilfield accidents in and near Oklahoma City?
There are countless causes of workplace accidents in the oil and gas extraction industry. Some of the common causes of workplace injuries for oil and gas workers include:
- Inadequate training
- Inadequate maintenance
- Improperly stored chemicals
- Insufficient inspections
- Poor communication
- Worker fatigue due to long hours
- Falling objects
- Corrosion
- Metal fatigue
- Improper use of tools and machinery
- Safety violations
- Defective machinery, equipment, tools, and PPE
Transportation accidents
Many trucks and other vehicles are used at Oklahoma oil field sites to bring in materials, do work at the site, and then transport the energy products and debris away from these sites. The truck drivers and their employers may be liable for any truck accidents that occur due to speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, bad roads, unskilled drivers, or any violations of Oklahoma’s traffic laws or the oil and gas industry safety standards.
Vehicle accidents can also happen because the workers and equipment need to travel long distances to reach the sites. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that nearly four in 10 oil and gas industry workers who are killed died due to a highway vehicle accident.
OSHA and NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) have numerous rules to regulate motor vehicle safety at oil field sites including:
- Motor Vehicle Safety (OSHA)
- Motor Vehicle Safety (NIOSH)
- Work Zone Traffic Safety (OSHA)
- Work-Related Roadway Crashes: Prevention Strategies for Employers (NIOSH)
Cunningham & Mears has experience with these types of claims. In one illustrative case, we obtained a settlement for a confidential amount on behalf of a 16-year-old who was driving on a dirt road when the teenager was hit head-on by an oil-field service truck causing the amputation of the teenager’s leg above the knee even though the teenager was cited for crossing the center line. We proved that the oil field service truck driver had been drinking, and that it was the oil-field truck driver who had crossed the center line.
What types of injuries do oil field workers suffer?
Because of the dangerous nature of oil fields, serious and fatal accidents are all too common. If you suffered injuries in an oil field accident, it is important to obtain the services of attorneys who work with doctors who understand what injuries you have, all the types of medical care you’ll need (including surgeries and rehabilitation), the full extent of your medical costs, and how any injuries, permanent disability, disfigurement, or loss of function will affect your life.
We have significant experience and a record of impressive settlements and verdicts (including numerous million-dollar-plus and $100,000-plus results) helping clients maximize their compensation for all types of oil field injuries including:
- Fatal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic amputations and disfigurement
- Head injury
- Burn injury
- Back injury and chronic back pain
- Neck injury
- Shoulder injury
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries including internal organ damage
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Hearing loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Do you have an Oklahoma City oil field accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears meets oil field accident victims and families at our two offices located in Oklahoma City. Our first is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102 - just minutes from Penn Square Mall with plenty of nearby parking for your car. Our second is located at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City - just a short walk from Resurrection Cemetery not far near the Northwest Expressway.
You can reach us by public transit. If you are sick or immobile, we will meet you at your home or in the hospital. We also discuss cases via video conference appointments.
We understand how scared you are about your health, your finances, and your job. We’ll assert your rights and fight for all the damages you deserve.
Seek assistance from a seasoned oil field injury attorney in Oklahoma City
Have you been injured in an oilfield accident? At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City oil field accident lawyers will explain what type of claim you can file against the oil field owner and all other responsible parties. We are respected by former clients, insurance companies, and defense firms across Oklahoma City for our preparation, negotiation skills, and courtroom advocacy. To discuss your rights, call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.
Related Oil Field Accident Articles
Working in an oil field can be extremely dangerous and even deadly, and this type of work can lead to permanent and life-threatening injuries. Most of the time, these injuries are a result of explosions. If you are considering oil field work, you should understand the causes of oil field explosions. Fires or fumes One…
Oil field accidents are devastating at any level, but many carry a high risk of fatalities. When that occurs, families are left without their loved ones, often for senseless reasons. Nearly any accident in an oil field or on an oil rig carries a high risk with it. There are some, however, that are at…
Oil and gas work is extremely dangerous due to the long hours, physical fatigue, the risk of fires, and many other dangers. Unsafe working conditions only increase the risk of accidents and fatalities at work. A recent study, according to The Journal Record, indicates that many oil and gas workers work with the constant fear…
It is no secret that working on an oil field is incredibly dangerous, be it here in Oklahoma or elsewhere. Heavy equipment, noxious gases, and the pure force of Earth itself create a uniquely life-threatening work environment. Those who risk their lives to perform these necessary jobs deserve as much protection as possible, both by…
Oil fields are one of the most dangerous workplace environments. Filled with explosive and hazardous materials, heavy equipment, and large vehicles, oil field workers have to be attentive and careful in high-stress situations. It is not a job for the meek. One of the most common types of accidents that oil field workers are at…
It is well known that workers in the oil and gas industry face many risks to their physical health. They work with heavy, complex equipment; dangerous chemicals; and in hazardous work environments. From explosions, to fires, to being crushed by vehicles, and falls from great heights, the dangers these workers face are almost more than…
A recent tragic case in Major County revealed that an oilfield worker died while working on a swab rig. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office and the OSHA Oklahoma City Office are investigating. The accident occurred right before 9:00am, which is when the Sheriff’s Office in Major County received a call for help. According to a…
Oklahoma is home to thousands of gas and oil wells, which is good for the state’s economy. On the other hand, it is also bad for your health. The more traditional method of most of these wells involves a drill sent into the ground to access reservoirs underneath the surface. The known risks of this…
Oil fields are a dangerous place to work. Rig hands not only have to deal with dangerous equipment, hazardous materials, and physically demanding work, but also the natural and often time savage weather that they have to work in. Oklahoma suffers not only from severe heat in the summer, but also freezing cold weather in…
Oil and gas are transported from Oklahoma to all parts of the nation, in ever-increasing volumes. These products fuel cars, heat homes and businesses, cook foods, and help our country in many different ways. There are many logistical factors that govern how these energy products are shipped. There are also many safety concerns that need…
The oil and gas extraction sector includes many jobs that are the lifeblood of Oklahoma’s economy. Work in this sector includes: Exploring for crude oil and natural gas Drilling, equipping, and completing wells Operation of emulsion breakers, separators, emulsion breakers, and desilting equipment, and field gathering lines for crude petroleum and natural gas Producing crude…
The prime cause of oil and gas worker fatalities, just as with others workers in general industries, is transportation accidents. The majority of oil industry employees injured on-the-job are eligible to file for and obtain workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits pay for a percentage of loss of income, physical rehab, and medical treatments. Transportation-related accidents…
In July 2020, the US Supreme Court added another layer of concern for Oklahoma oil producers that are trying to stay afloat due to the COVID-19 crisis. In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court decided that almost half of eastern Oklahoma is Native American land. The decision affects the oil and gas drillers in Oklahoma,…
A recent pipe equipment incident is a warning that manufacturing and fabrication defects can cause burn injuries and death. Burn injuries can cause respiratory difficulties. Severe burns usually leave permanent scars which may require skin grafts and plastic surgery. Victims often suffer emotional damage in addition to the physical damage. Bartlesville Radio reported recently that…
The last few months have been tough on the oil and gas industry. As oil flooded the market from overseas, the number of rigs dropped across the U.S. In 2019, Oklahoma had 109 active oil and gas rigs; as of March 2020, we now have 43. These types of declines wreak havoc on the industry…
In the state of Oklahoma, the oil pump jack is a well-known symbol. It brings to mind a once thriving oil drilling industry that draws oil to the surface and greenbacks to the state. On the other side of the coin, idle pumps symbolize something not so positive in the state of Oklahoma – abandoned,…
Fracking, also referred to as hydraulic fracturing, is a form of drilling in which a mixture of pressured water is used to extract natural gas and oil from deep under the earth. This method has increased in popularity over the past 10 to 15 years. The process of fracking accounts for close to 7 in…
Oil field accidents can occur for many reasons. Some of the more common types that are often deadly, or cause permanent injuries include oil rig explosions, rigs that collapse, well blowouts, and drilling injuries. Sometimes the causes of the accidents are fairly obvious such as violations of OSHA safety rules and violations common oil-field industry…
If you are taking on a job where you will work in an oil field, especially in the Oklahoma City area, you can earn good money and travel to different locations to work. However, the job does come with risks. While oilfield work pays well, workers need to complete tasks that are somewhat dangerous at…
Workers in the oil and gas industry face many dangers. They are often exposed to severe weather. They work long hours which causes fatigue. Many employees and contractors work with machinery that is defective, needs repairs, and is hard to manipulate. Derrick hands, roustabouts, and oilfield drivers have the greatest likelihood of being injured. Employees…