OIL RIG & OIL
FIELD ACCIDENTS
 Oil
well drilling whether it is onshore or offshore can be very dangerous. In
fact oil rig explosions and oil well accidents are some of the most costly
in
human lives. Gas
leaks resulting in explosions are the most dangerous of these accidents. Although
accident frequencies in the petroleum and gas industries are at low levels
when compared to other industries, because the main products of the industry
are combustible and potentially explosive, safety is always an important
issue. Drilling operations are subject to dangerous blowouts, and all phases
of oil and gas production and processing present dangers of fires and
explosions. The handling of heavy pipe and other equipment also involves
health and safety risks. Noise, vibration and exposure to toxic chemicals
are further issues in both upstream and downstream operations Oil rig accidents
and oil field accidents happen daily, and under most circumstance they could
have been prevented in not fro the negligence or carelessness of one or more
companies or employees.
As oil fields accidents
happen sometime in remote and hostile
environments (swamps, desert, jungle, Arctic, offshore). Many oilfield
accidents happen as the result of the exploitation of the oilfield
workers requiring them to reside at or near the workplaces for long
periods, in rotation. Working
conditions associated with this pattern of living and working have many
special features that can cause problems: e.g. transport risks, long shifts,
social isolation, in cramped working and sleeping facilities. Where facilities
are located in remote areas, the transport of workers by airplane, boat or
helicopter, to and from the installations can pose significant risks.The
number of fatalities has increased in recent years and a single incident is
likely to lead to multiple fatalities. Work offshore presents a whole set of
dangers in addition to those stemming from the combustible nature of the
natural gas itself and the extremely high pressures in many deep wells.In
recent years the industry has witnessed a series of major fires or explosions
with loss of life in both production installations and refineries. Work
onshore is as dangerous as work offshore.
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Offshore Helicopter Accident - Willis Law Firm Client
Our
client,Mark McClain was aboard a Transport Helicopter (Bell 206 B3) owned and
operated by Industrial Helicopter, Inc when at approximately
8:45 AM on Feb. 5, 1998, after only 10 minutes into the flight, a loud
bang type noise was heard by all aboard followed by loss of power.  Seconds
later an emergency crash was performed by the pilot from about 700-800 feet
above the water. The Helicopter filled with water and overturned.Our
client, who was trapped upside down in the craft , almost drowned. He later with
the help of another passenger was able to release his belt , but he
suffered a serious and permanent spinal injury . A
complete investigation was done by the FAA and it was found that "...
improper # 1 Bearing Housing Retaining Ring Installed " causing in part the
tie bolt to shear in the gearbox. A lawsuit was filed against and
Industrial Helicopter, Inc., UNC Airwork Corporation, Allision Engine Company
and Lear Siegler, Inc f/k/a UNC Aviation Services. Inc. After
many months of legal discovery and court proceedings, a significant out-of-court
settlement against some of the named defendants was obtained for our
client. Terms of the Settlement were made Confidential.
-
Offshore Drilling Rig Accident (Jack Up Rig) - Willis Law Firm
Client
Our
client, John Bullard of Texas an employee of Marine Drilling Company was working
on an offshore jackup rig named the Jay Storm 6 , when while assisting
on the wireline operations, the packoff nut slid down the wireline traumatically
severing his hand. A lawsuit was filed against Mar- Dril, Inc, Storm Drilling
Company Freeport- McMoran and Directional Wireline Services, Inc. Afet months
of depositions and discovery, a out of court settlement was reached in this
matter.
-
Oil Field Drilling Rig Accident (Onshore- Land Rig - East Texas) -
Willis Law Firm Client
Our
client Larry Smith was working on an East Texas oil drilling rig when a pipe
was unscrewed and fell
into the oil drilling rig elevators.When the pipe was falling it is believed
that the hydraulic hose was too short and not strong enough to hold the pipe,
so it fell down to the rig floor. In the process 3 pieces of metal later
identified as the top driver and the screen fell onto Larry Smith hitting
him in the head. As a result, he sustained a traumatic brain injury and
was
permanently and totally disabled from this oil field accident. A lawsuit
was commenced against the rig owner and the service company and was later
settled.
 If
you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury while working in the oil
field or on an oil rig or in the oil & gas production or pipeline
industry, then you may have a right to file a lawsuit case against the
responsible and negligent parties involved. Call now and get your
questions answered. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
FREE
CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION at 1-800-883-9858 (Toll Free)
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