Sweetwater County Oilfield & Mining Accident Attorneys

Common Types of Oilfield & Mining Accidents

Oilfield and mining accidents can occur in a range of circumstances, leading to injuries like catastrophic burns, temporary or permanent disability, or even death.

Some common examples of oilfield and mining related accidents include:

• Slips and falls: Working high above the ground, elevated equipment, or uneven or slippery surfaces littered with heavy machinery raise the risk of injury
• Fires and explosions: Oilfields contain highly flammable vapors or gas that can explode when making contact with hot surfaces, causing catastrophic burns
• Injuries from heavy equipment: Cranes, pressure lines, and motor vehicles on the location can pose a danger when a worker is struck by such a machine or caught between them, either due to improperly trained operators or miscalculated movements
• Transportation mistakes: Accidents can occur when workers are transporting fuel between sites

Many of the above types of accidents are preventable if the site manager or employer takes the proper measures to ensure the equipment is safe, the premises organized, and the workers properly trained to utilize the machinery. Employers should also devise detailed safety plans to protect the health of their workers. 

Unfortunately, some of the most prevalent causes of oilfield and mining accidents are the employer’s negligence of these duties, such as:

• Not providing proper or adequate training
• Not creating safe working conditions
• Failing to enforce safety regulations
• Encouraging unsafe practices for the sake of finishing the job
• Exposing workers to toxic fumes
• In some cases, the employer may be immune, or not be at fault, but the equipment manufacturer could be. If the accident was caused by faulty or defective equipment, the liable party might be the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment.

In some cases, the employer may be immune, or not be at fault, but the equipment manufacturer could be. If the accident was caused by faulty or defective equipment, the liable party might be the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment.

Types of Lawsuits to Pursue

There are different types of lawsuits and claims an injured oilfield or mining worker may be able to pursue based on the circumstances of their accident. If the accident was caused by the employer’s willful negligence, the injured person may choose to sue on the grounds of negligence, such as in premises liability cases. If the accident was caused by defective machinery, they may instead sue the manufacturer on the grounds of product liability.

Injured workers may be entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation. Most employers in Wyoming are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which should offer benefits like wage replacement, medical treatment, and vocational rehabilitation to workers who have been injured on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits are no-fault based, which means the worker will usually be covered as long as the injury occurred during the performance of their job duties.

An experienced oilfield and mining accident attorney can help you evaluate your legal options. While workers’ compensation offers compensation, it typically provides for less than a lawsuit might, and a workers’ compensation claim also shields the employer from further legal action on your part. Reach out to our team at The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to discuss which option is best for you. Whether you are suffering from minor injuries or catastrophic injuries, our trial lawyers are here to fight aggressively for your right to damages so you can maintain a fair standard of living after your injuries.

Contact The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to discuss your case in more detail.