Do you work for an oil or gas company in Texas? Oil and gas companies in Texas employ hundreds of thousands of workers in a variety of workplaces that include refineries, drilling sites, work-over rigs, offshore drilling rigs and facilities. If you were injured in an explosion, due to toxic exposure, an equipment failure, or another accident caused by unsafe practices on the part of your employer, you could be owed significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Taking action against these companies for irresponsible labor practices can be intimidating. That’s why you need an aggressive advocate on your side fighting for your rights and interests.
The workplace accident attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm have helped injured oil and gas workers pursue compensation after catastrophic workplace accidents. We will not allow these powerful companies to abandon their workers in their time of need.
If you were injured in an oil or gas industry accident in Texas, contact The Callahan Law Firm today to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case. Your initial consultation is free.
Oil and Gas Company Accidents
While jobs are readily available and often high-paying, working in the oil and gas industry is incredibly dangerous. Nationwide, twenty-five oil and gas industry workers died due to a workplace injury or illness in one recent year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Texas, the natural resources and mining industry, which includes oil and gas workers remains one of the most dangerous industries for worker safety.
Many of these tragic deaths could have been prevented if employers prioritized their workers’ health and safety over profits.
Oil and the Texas Economy
The oil and gas industry has greatly impacted the Texas economy. According to the Texas Oil and Gas Association, the industry contributed $15.8 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties in a recent fiscal year.
The oil and gas industry directly employs over 400,000 people in Texas. Each job working directly in the industry creates 2.2 additional jobs through spending on capital goods, construction, services, and supplies. In total, the oil and gas industry generates 1.37 million Texas jobs.
Types of Oil and Gas Accidents
Many types of oil and gas accidents can happen due to negligence, including:
- Equipment failures and malfunctions – The oil and gas industry uses various equipment and heavy machinery, including heat exchangers, evaporators, valves, boilers, furnaces, compressors, and pumps. Companies must ensure this equipment is properly operated and maintained, or catastrophic accidents could happen.
- Explosions – Oil and gas is volatile, and negligence is frequently the cause of explosions. For example, according to a report by federal investigators, the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in 2010 happened because of a series of mistakes and poor risk management by BP, Transocean, and Halliburton.
- Toxic exposure – If companies fail to follow safety procedures meticulously, oil and gas workers could come into contact with dangerous and toxic chemicals, such as benzene, butane, methane, hydrogen sulfide, and mercury. Exposure to toxic chemicals can result in life-long injuries.
- Well blowouts – A well blowout is the uncontrolled release of oil or gas from a well. It happens when pressure systems are not adequately monitored or controlled. Workers in the vicinity of a well blowout could suffer grave injuries.
- Fracking accidents – Hydraulic fracking injects pressurized fluid to extract natural resources deep in the ground. Fracking accidents include toxic chemical exposure, explosions, and transportation accidents.
- Vehicle accidents – Recent BLS data shows that approximately 46 percent of fatal oil and gas accidents were related to transportation. For example, oil and gas workers can get injured on the way to a job site, either on land in a truck, by sea on a boat, or by air in a helicopter.
- Slips, trips, and falls – Oil and gas job sites present many hazards for workers, including slips, trips, and falls from heights.
Oil and Gas Company FAQs
What are the top oil and gas companies in Texas?
According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, which keeps track of the top oil and gas producers in the state, the top companies include:
- Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC
- Apache Corporation
- BP America
- Burlington Resources O & G Co. LP
- Chesapeake Operating L.L.C.
- Chevron USA Inc.
- Cimarex Energy Co.
- COG Operating LLC
- Devon Energy Production Co., L.P.
- Diamond Back E&P LLC
- Endeavor Energy Resources L.P.
- EOG Resources, Inc.
- Lewis Petro Properties, Inc.
- Marathon Oil EF LLC
- Occidental Permian LTD.
- Ovintiv USA Inc.
- Parsley Energy Operations, LLC
- Pioneer Natural Res. USA, Inc.
- Rockcliff Energy Operating LLC
- TEP Barnett USA, LLC
- XTO Energy Inc.
How many oil and gas companies are there in Texas?
There are thousands of oil and gas companies in Texas, ranging from large multinational companies with thousands of leases to small companies with just one or two leases.
How many drilling rigs are there in the U.S.?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 764 oil and gas rotary rigs are currently in operation.
What responsibilities do oil and gas companies have to keep workers safe?
Federal and state regulations require oil and gas companies to ensure a safe workplace and take all reasonably necessary steps to protect workers’ lives, health, and safety. That includes site preparation, providing personal protective equipment, hiring and training workers to safely perform their tasks, supervising workers and contractors, fire protection, and proper materials handling and storage.
How do I know if I have a case against an oil and gas company?
If an oil or gas company or a third party’s carelessness injured you, you could be eligible to seek compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You should discuss your situation with our experienced oil and gas attorneys. We have a successful track record of handling these cases. We can investigate your case to determine if the company or another party was negligent and caused your injuries. Examples of negligence may include:
- Failure to provide personal protective equipment
- Failure to maintain heavy machinery
- Pressure to complete work on an unreasonable timeline
- Employing untrained workers
- Failure to adequately supervise workers and contractors
- Improper storage of hazardous materials
Contact Our Experienced Texas Oil and Gas Company Accident Lawyers
If you suffered an injury while working for an oil or gas company in Texas, contact us online or contact The Callahan Law Firm today to learn how our lawyers can help you seek compensation for your injuries. Our experienced Texas oil and gas company accident lawyers are committed to fighting for injured workers like you. We are not afraid to stand up to the powerful oil and gas industry. Get started on your case today with a free consultation.
