Drilling for oil is an inherently dangerous job, with a fatality rate nearly five times that of all industries in the United States combined. As the oil and gas industry continues rising, the number of people employed increase-along with production pressures and the temptation to cut corners. In Texas, oil and gas firms employ over 2,400 more people than they did a year ago, putting more people in the path of explosive gases, dangerous machinery, and cancer-causing chemicals.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that from 2008 through 2017, 1,566 workers died from injuries in the oil and gas and related fields. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor statistics showed that in the same time period, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited companies in the extraction industry for 10,873 violations. Of those violations, sixty-four percent were classified by the agency as “serious,” meaning inspectors found hazards likely to result in “death or serious physical harm.”
One recent fatality in the oil and gas industry involved a crude hauler for Twin Eagle Transport, LLC of Houston, Texas. Gregory Claxton moved oil by truck from storage tanks located at EOG’s Cooper B Unit, to a pipeline several miles away. Part of his job was to take samples of the oil and on the day of his death, Claxton opened a hatch to a tank holding crude, and was hit by a wave of H2S, causing sudden death. Claxton’s parents have settled a lawsuit against Twin Eagle, but are still fighting EOG Cooper in court.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in the oil and gas industry, it is important to find a skilled law firm with experience handling personal injury cases. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the oldest personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.