According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that employees that work for offshore oil and gas operations were 7 times more likely to die on the job compared to the average worker in the United States. Have you seen the incredible movie Deepwater Horizon which unlike Star Wars, there is actually substance and meaning but this is another topic? Moreover, what British Petroleum did to that rig and the risks they took were horrendous. The movie Deepwater Horizon depicts this brilliantly. From 2003 to 2010, the CDC tracked fatalities and found that 128 deaths occurred while working at offshore operations. The average rate of fatality for average workers in the U.S. is 3.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average fatality rate for offshore workers is 27.1 per 100,000 employees.
Common Questions about Oil Rig Accidents
Many people in New York, as well as other places in the U.S., have many questions about oil rig accidents and claims. The most common questions include:
Q1: what are some of the risks and dangers that come with oil drilling?
A: A worker in oil drilling has to face a number of dangers. Operating oil rigs make extremely loud noise, making it difficult for workers to communicate and notify each other about a hazardous situation. As heavy machinery is involved, there is a high risk of workers getting caught in machinery or being hit by a machine’s moving parts. Workers also handle oil, which is a highly flammable substance, which contributes to the possibility of the occurrence of an explosion or fire.
Q2: What should I do if I get injured due to an accident at an oil field?
A: If you are injured at an oil field, the first thing to do is seek medical attention quickly. It is also important that you notify your supervisor immediately. You should inform your employer about the accident within 40 days so that you are able to recover any workers’ compensation benefits that you may be entitled to. You should also consider getting the help of an attorney as early as possible. You may have the right to recover a substantial amount of financial compensation for your injuries, and a personal injury attorney can help in ensuring that all potential resources are looked into so that your recovery is maximized.
Q3: What are the different types of potential oil drilling or oil rig accidents?
A: Workers in oil drilling or oil rigs may sustain injuries due to accidents caused by:
- Improper operation of machinery or equipment
- Electrocution
- Pipeline blowouts
- Errors on operator’s part
- Falls from oil derricks
- Defective equipment
- Exposure to chemicals
- Improper pressurization
- Explosions and fires
- Lack of proper training
Get Legal Help in New York for Oil Rig Accidents If you or a loved one in New York has suffered injury in an oil rig accident, you should immediately seek the help of the reliable personal injury lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. Call us today! We know how to win cases and we are in the business of winning. We want to hear what you have to say. RMFW Law has won millions of dollars for past clients and you too can on this amazing list. We know which legal doors to open and when to open them. We know when to attack and when to be silent. RMFW Law is only paid when you are paid.