According to a report from mysanantonio.com, a man who was a Kinder Morgan contract worker at Total Petrochemicals was killed in an on-the-job accident at a refinery in southeastern Texas on September 6th. The tragic accident occurred when his bulldozer overturned and fell into a pit of extremely hot operational wastewater. This incident is another one of the far too many serious refinery accidents that occur in Texas every year. Whenever someone suffers an injury at their workplace it is incredibly important that the accident is quickly reported and fully investigated. A thorough investigation by an experienced advocate is incredibly important to ensure that an injured worker’s legal rights are protected. A qualified oil field injury attorney has the experience necessary to ensure that the victims of work injury receive full and fair compensation.
Oil and Gas is a Hazardous Industry
This unfortunate Port Arthur refinery accident is a reminder of how dangerous the oil and gas industry can be for employees. Oil and gas production is one of the most important industries in Texas, and it directly employs around four hundred thousand workers. By its very nature, oil and gas production is hazardous work. It involves constant use of heavy industrial equipment, hazardous chemicals, and high pressure. Therefore, it is extremely important that the safety of oil and gas workers is vigorously protected and safety precautions are diligently taken. Unfortunately, many companies still fall short of safety standards. More oil and gas industry wrongful deaths occur in Texas than in any other state in the country.
Workers’ Compensation vs Third Party Liability
Under Texas law, a common remedy for Texas employees to file injury claims is the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. However, injured workers may also be able to recover under their employer’s general liability policy. There are many potential factors that complicate work injury claims. For example, in the case of wrongful death resulting from a work injury, there is an explicit exception in the act. The recovery of punitive damages by a deceased employee’s surviving spouse or children against an employer is not barred. Further, job sites within the oil and gas industry have become increasingly complex. There are typically several contractors and subcontractors working on the same job. If one of those contractors, subcontractors or any other third party is responsible for a work injury they are not covered under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act and may be subject to third-party liability. An experienced San Antonio personal injury attorney will sort out your case and determine how to proceed to make sure you recover full and fair compensation for you injury.
Contact An Experienced San Antonio Work Injury Attorney
If you, or a family member, has been involved in a work-related accident in the oil field do not hesitate to seek legal representation. Time is always of the essence in any personal injury claim. There is nothing more important than your safety and your legal rights must be protected if you were injured due to unsafe working conditions. At the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, we are experienced in handling a wide array of Texas work injury cases. Contact our office for your free consultation today.
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