Wyoming Oilfield Injury Lawyers

Oilfield Injuries & Safety Regulations

Due to the extreme dangers and risk of injury that come with working in oil fields, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented multiple safety and health regulations that should be followed when gas and oil workers are completing job responsibilities.

Those that do not follow the safety restrictions may find themselves suffering from life-threatening or debilitating injuries.

Safety Regulations on an Oilfield

Some examples of the regulations and safety protocols that should be followed while working on oilfields in Wyoming include:

• Following minimum vehicle distance requirements
• Wearing necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Wearing necessary hearing and respiratory protection equipment
• Making use of safety footwear, hardhats, and eye protection
• Supervising workers and oil wells
• Ensuring blowout prevention equipment is installed correctly and tested regularly
• Oil workers should avoid loose hair, flammable clothing, or jewelry while at work
• Oil well workers should cooperate with accident investigations
• Oil fields are required to have body wash and eyewash emergency stations
• Accidents and injuries should be reported immediately to oil field companies
• The machinery and equipment standards should be met at all times
• Gas and oil workers should meet minimum OSHA safety training requirements

Common Oilfield Accidents

Our Wyoming oilfield accident lawyers are prepared to handle a wide array of oilfield accident claims, such as:

• Poisoning accidents
• Oil truck accidents
• Crushing accidents
• Oil well and field fires
• Oil well and field explosions
• Oil well blowouts
• Exposure to hazardous substances or materials
• Falls from elevated heights
• Gas refinery accidents
• Trips, slips, and falls
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) failures
• Machinery and equipment malfunctions and failures
• Drilling accidents
• Transportation accidents
• Fracking accidents
• Confined space collapses

Common Oilfield Injuries

You could have suffered from several types of injuries while working on an oilfield, including the following:

• Loss of limbs and fingers
• Torn ligaments and muscles
• Fractured vertebrae
• Multiple bone breaks
• Lacerations leading to sepsis
• Nerve damage
• Back injuries
• Herniated discs
• Paralysis
• Hearing or vision loss
• Spinal cord trauma
• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash
• Concussion and traumatic brain injuries
• Burn injuries
• Respiratory injuries

Oilfield Accident Damages

The way in which you recover compensation for your damages after an oil field accident will be based on your status and whether someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. Many oilfield workers are entitled to compensation through workers’ comp benefits since it is a state requirement for all companies in Wyoming, according to Wyoming Statute Section 27-14.104.

Workers’ comp benefits are not based on fault, so as long as your injuries occurred due to a work-related accident. You should be able to recover compensation for approximately 66% of your average weekly wages, coverage of your medical bills, and potentially vocational rehabilitation benefits or survivor benefits if you lost a loved one in a fatal oilfield accident.

Those who do not seek workers’ compensation benefits or do not qualify may instead be entitled to compensation by filing a third-party liability or civil claim against the at-fault party. Here, you will not face the same types of limitations you do when filing a claim for workers’ comp benefits. Examples of the types of damages that could be paid out in a third-party liability oilfield accident claim include:

• Medical expenses
• Personal property damages
• Lost income
• Diminished earning potential
• Loss of employee benefits
• Loss of health insurance coverage
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Mental anguish
• Physical impairment
• Inconvenience
• Damage to your professional reputation

Fatal Oilfield Accidents

Wyoming law allows those who lost a loved one due to a fatal oilfield accident to pursue compensation for the damages by filing a wrongful death claim. You may have the opportunity to file a wrongful death claim if you are the representative of the decedent.

Any damages awarded will be paid to beneficiaries according to Wyoming Statute Section 1–38–102. Additionally, you must make sure your claim is within the two-year wrongful death statute of limitations, or you will be at risk of having your case barred from the Wyoming civil court system.

Who’s At Fault for an Oilfield Accident?

Although fault may not be relevant if you are pursuing workers’ compensation benefits alone, it is critical when filing a third-party liability claim. For some, proving someone else’s liability is the only way to ensure you are compensated for your losses.

With that in mind, there are multiple parties who could share blame for your oil field accident injuries, depending on the specific details of your case. Parties who are frequently sued for oilfield accident injuries in Wyoming include:

• Oilfield companies
• Oilfield workers
• Oilfield supervisors
• Oil well controllers
• Safety inspectors
• Machinery manufacturers
• Equipment manufacturers
• Oilfield contractors and subcontractors
• Oilfield maintenance techs

Oilfield Accident Claims Process

Once you have a better understanding of how the oilfield accident claims process works, you may feel empowered to fight for the compensation and benefits you are entitled to. Although every case is different, here is a general idea of what to expect once you decide to move forward with your oilfield accident claim in Wyoming:

• Your attorney starts off by conducting a thorough investigation into fault and negligence in your oilfield accident
• We gather evidence needed to prove liability in your case and determine whether you should file a claim with your employer’s workers’ comp insurance provider
• Your attorney gathers the documents and evidence needed to file necessary court documents and insurance claims
• We will negotiate with the insurance company if they are refusing to approve your claim for benefits
• Your lawyer will prepare to bring your oilfield accident claim before a judge if a third party caused your injuries

Contact Kemmy Law Firm Today

After being involved in an oilfield accident, recovering the compensation you are entitled to will be essential if you hope to recoup your losses and have the opportunity to rebuild your life. Our dedicated Wyoming oilfield injury lawyers at Kemmy Law Firm are here to help you fight for justice.

With our firm advocating for your rights, you can be sure all liable parties are identified, and your opportunities for financial relief are pursued accordingly. Start working on your insurance and civil oilfield injury claims as soon as today when you fill out our online contact form or call our office at (432) 400-0000.