Types of Oilfield Accident Lawsuits in Texas

How the Oilfield Injury Lawyers at Hilliard Law Can Help

The skilled legal team at Hilliard Law has decades of experience helping clients injured in on-shore and off-shore oilfield cases and has the insight to quickly determine what failures caused the accident. We will fight for you every step of the way to recover the compensation you deserve for your severe losses, either with aggressive negotiation or by taking your case to trial.

Types of Oilfield Injury Lawsuits in Texas

Land-Rig Explosions

Working in a Texas oilfield is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US. The oil drilling process involves highly-volatile materials, and equipment may malfunction and short-circuit without warning. This may create the perfect storm for a land-rig explosion. Various factors may cause land-rig explosion accidents:

• Pipeline transport error
• Gas truck accidents
• Improper maintenance

At Hilliard Law, we have experience assisting clients injured in Texas land-rig explosion accidents. If you retain us, we will do an intensive investigation into the incident to obtain evidence of manufacturer or employer negligence.

Drilling Rig Accidents

The Texas state economy employs both on-shore and off-shore workers for crude petroleum exploration, drilling, and well completion. It also employs workers to operate machines designed to prepare oil up to the point of shipment to a refinery. Unfortunately, good workers are often severely injured on the job due to unsafe practices, inadequate training, negligence, and equipment malfunctions.

The combination of long and exhausting hours, combustible substances, and heavy machinery make working on an oil rig extremely dangerous. The following are common causes of drilling rig accidents in Texas:

• Sparks igniting flammable liquids and starting explosions
• Hands or feet getting trapped in machinery
• Equipment failing because of improper maintenance
• Well blowouts, oil rig explosions, land rig explosions, and fires in production tanks
• Being hit by swinging pipes, casing, or cables
• Getting crushed by loads of cargo or heavy equipment
• Severe falls from derricks, unsecured ladders, platforms, hoists, or slippery stairways

If you were injured in a Texas drilling rig accident, the attorneys at Hilliard Martinez Gonzales can help. We ensure that workers and their families obtain the medical care and support they need following an on-shore or off-shore drilling accident.

Blowout Accidents

During off-shore drilling, serious issues can occur in the event that pressure is not properly monitored, resulting in pressure changes that allow the flow of combustible hydrocarbons; if the flow is not promptly controlled or stopped, it can ignite and cause a blowout. Three types of blowouts that may occur:

• Surface blowouts: The force of a surface blowout may be severe enough to damage the vessel and crew aboard the rig. Debris and other substances from this type of blowout can set the surroundings on fire, and are difficult to extinguish.
• Sub-sea blowouts: Sub-sea blowouts are dangerous because they occur on the seabed, and wells can range up to 10,000 feet.
• Underground blowouts: The strength of underground blowouts may severely damage the environment and injure nearby workers.

Gas Truck Accidents

Drilling companies use gas trucks to transport their product. Gas trucks are large commercial vehicles that hold tons of flammable and toxic materials. When a truck is poorly maintained or not maintained at all, it can cause severe accidents, burn injuries, and death from explosions.

Pipeline Explosion Accidents

Pipelines are the preferred way for companies to transport their product quickly and cost-efficiently. However, deadly explosions occur due to the materials being transported, their age, and their visibility. When pipelines explode, often the rupture is caused by a company’s failure to adequately maintain and update its systems. Texas pipeline explosions may be caused by the following:

• Faulty pipelines and safety equipment
• Negligence in responding to reports of a gas leak
• Inadequately trained pipeline workers or excavators
• Neglecting to check for pipelines before excavation
• Unacceptable pipeline installation
• Old meters, gas lines, joints, gas mains, and pipelines
• Poor maintenance of pipeline systems

Texas pipeline accidents can be prevented with proper implementation of safety regulations and a commitment to diligence. 

Rig Collapse

Rig collapses occur when the structural integrity of an oil rig is compromised, leading to a dangerous and often catastrophic failure. This can happen due to design flaws, improper maintenance, or extreme weather conditions. The collapse can result in significant property damage, injury to workers, and environmental hazards.

Chemical Spills and Leaks

Chemical spills and leaks involve the release of hazardous substances used in oilfield operations. These can occur due to equipment failure, human error, or improper handling of chemicals. Such spills pose serious health risks to workers and can lead to environmental contamination, affecting soil and water sources.

Equipment Failures

Equipment failures in the oilfield, such as malfunctioning pumps, valves, or drills, can lead to dangerous situations. These failures can cause operational delays, accidents, and injuries. Proper maintenance and regular inspections are crucial to prevent such failures and ensure the safety of workers.

Transport Accidents

Transport accidents involve the movement of equipment, personnel, or extracted materials within or between oilfield sites. These can include vehicle collisions, spills during transportation, or accidents involving heavy machinery. Such incidents can result in injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage.

Overpressure Incidents

Overpressure incidents occur when pressure in a well exceeds safe limits, which can lead to equipment failure or well blowouts. This situation can result from improper pressure control, equipment malfunctions, or errors in pressure monitoring, potentially causing explosions or significant operational hazards.

Decommissioning Accidents

Decommissioning involves the process of safely closing down and removing oilfield infrastructure that is no longer in use. Accidents during decommissioning can occur due to the complex nature of dismantling equipment and managing residual hazards, leading to potential exposure to harmful substances and operational risks.

Pipe Failures

Pipe failures involve the rupture or breakage of pipes used to transport oil, gas, or other fluids. These failures can occur due to corrosion, pressure anomalies, or manufacturing defects. They can result in spills, environmental contamination, and hazards to workers in the vicinity.

Contact Our Attorneys Today

If you have sustained injuries in any type of Texas oilfield injury accident, the experienced attorneys at Hilliard Law can help you hold the oil company accountable. If we take your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win.

Call us at (361) 882-1612 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.