Leading Oilfield Accident Attorneys in Louisiana
Louisiana has one of the most active oil and gas industries in the nation, from extraction and drilling to transportation to and from shore. As oil drilling in the Gulf and in neighboring states increases, history teaches us that more oilfield workers will suffer grievous injuries—including loss of limb, severe burns, toxic exposure, and other life-altering injuries. When oil and gas industry workers are injured, they and their families can turn to a Louisiana oilfield accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin for the help they need. We have won more than $20 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Our notable oilfield accident case results include:
- $209 million for the family of an oilfield worker who was exposed to a fatal virus.
- $139 million record-setting verdict for victims of an oilfield incident.
- $72 million for an oilfield worker who lost his arm in an accident.
- $36.5 million for an injured oilfield worker who was wrongly blamed for his injuries.
- $18.75 million settlement for a catastrophically injured oilfield worker.
- $17 million for a worker who lost his leg in an oil well blowout.
“My employer, they didn't treat me too well after. They threw me under the bus. They didn't want to own up to anything…What I think sets Arnold & Itkin apart from any other attorneys is just they’re not fake about how they act, and they’re just so real, and they just want to help you so much. They have a lot of love to give.” - Josh Keel, oilfield accident survivor.
How Do Louisiana Oilfield Accidents Happen?
Most oilfield workers take extra steps daily to ensure their safety. However, even the most experienced and cautious workers may be injured if employers fail to put safety first. When oilfield workers are injured, the accidents that cause their injuries are typically not their fault but, rather, are due to the negligence or irresponsibility of those in leadership.
Some of the most common types of oilfield accidents include:
- Land Rig Explosions & Fires: The nature of oilfield work in Louisiana, plus the presence of heavy equipment and volatile substances, makes explosions and fires a risk. Flammable and combustible materials should be properly contained, and all employees should be trained in everyday and emergency procedures to prevent these incidents.
- Exposure to Harmful Chemicals: Employers must limit employee exposure to harmful substances, including chemicals. This includes conducting proper training in chemical handling, as well as providing workers with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respiratory gear and eye protection.
- Slips and Falls: Simple clumsiness is not the root cause of significant slip and fall accidents. When workers slip, it may be that the surfaces are slippery and improperly marked to warn. If workers fall, it may be due to improper measures in place to guard against the fall, such as missing guardrails or harnesses for workers at great heights.
- Falling Objects: If a tool or piece of equipment falls and strikes an oilfield worker, an investigation of the incident may reveal that there were missing preventative measures against falling or flying objects, such as improperly secured tools, poorly maintained equipment, or missing netting that could have caught wayward items.
- Malfunctioning Equipment: Oilfield owners in Louisiana and nationwide often procrastinate when it comes to inspecting or servicing equipment—and the unaddressed wear and tear may expose workers to harmful, combustible, or flammable materials. These incidents are often traced back to the ownership or board levels.
- Gas Truck Accidents: The gas trucks that serve oilfields are large and heavy, and many of Louisiana's smaller roads were built before oilfields existed. These tiny roads are carrying traffic they should not handle. Companies must hire experienced drivers, maintain their vehicles, and never rush drivers to make it to and from wells.
- Pipeline Accidents: Pipelines are a crucial part of any oilfield operation. They can quickly transport crude oil and safely send pressurized natural gas to plants for processing. Yet, if not maintained or handled properly, a burst pipeline can create a powerful explosion, a raging fire, or a blast of pressure that causes significant trauma to workers.
Types of Injuries Commonly Associated with Oilfield & Land Rig Accidents
Due to the serious nature of oilfield accidents, workers tend to sustain devastating, life-changing injuries when they are harmed on the job. These injuries may impact every area of their life, with long-term physical and psychological effects that create personal and financial challenges. Some workers may not be able to earn a living any longer.
Some of the most common oilfield injuries include:
In the most tragic cases, workers are killed due to on-the-job accidents. In such instances, our oilfield accident firm in Baton Rouge stands as an advocate for widowed spouses, children left behind, and other family members who have suffered unimaginable losses. We help families in Louisiana and nationwide after the most serious oilfield accidents.
Who Is Liable for a Baton Rouge Oilfield Accident?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the nation’s leading regulatory association designed to monitor and enforce the maintenance of safe working environments. OSHA has a specific set of standards tailored to each industry. When a Louisiana oilfield fails to meet those standards, OSHA may issue citations and levy penalties against the company in order to get them to improve safety and to discourage others from similar behavior.
Unfortunately, such citations do little to help a worker who has already been injured. An experienced land rig accident attorney in Louisiana can help you explore your legal options in holding any and all at-fault parties accountable.
The following parties could be liable for oilfield accident damages:
- Your employer
- Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider
- The manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment or faulty machinery
- Another negligent third party
Arnold & Itkin can thoroughly investigate your oilfield accident and work to identify who should have prevented it and how much accountability they should face to make things right. While our Louisiana oilfield accident attorneys can’t change what happened, we can demand justice from the liable person or party so you can get answers and rebuild.
Working to Hold Negligent Oil & Gas Companies Accountable
Using heavy machinery to drill for a volatile substance will always be dangerous. Workers at derricks must be protected in every possible way by those who profit from their hard work. The inherent risks of Louisiana oilfield work do not excuse companies from prioritizing the safety of their workers. Unfortunately, negligence by oil and gas companies leads to preventable accidents that have devastating consequences. At Arnold & Itkin, we are committed to holding these companies accountable for their actions and ensuring that injured workers receive the justice they deserve.
Practices such as inadequate maintenance of equipment, failure to adhere to safety protocols, and insufficient worker training can result in catastrophic events like explosions, fires, and toxic exposures. For instance, when machinery used to extract or transport oil is not properly maintained, it can malfunction and cause severe injuries, including burns and other life-altering conditions. Similarly, transporting oil through poorly maintained pipelines or trucks can be hazardous.
Another serious hazard oil workers face is toxic exposure to substances like benzene, a colorless gas released during fracking operations. Oilfield workers are exposed to this gas multiple times every hour—each time a hatch is opened. Benzene has been linked to damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system, and even cancer. Despite knowing these risks, some employers fail to provide proper safety equipment or training to protect their workers.
Our land rig accident attorneys in Louisiana aren't afraid to face off against:
We believe that companies profiting from the hard work of oilfield employees have a duty to ensure their safety. Our Louisiana oilfield injury lawyers have a history of winning cases against the biggest oil and gas companies.
Why Choose Arnold & Itkin’s Baton Rouge Oilfield Accident Lawyers?
Arnold & Itkin knows the struggle injured oilfield workers face. The pressure to provide and the physical limitations of accident-related injuries puts workers in an impossible situation. Our Louisiana oilfield accident attorneys know the methods utilized by oil companies that try to avoid paying for the disasters they have created. We have used our experience to win billions of dollars in victories over companies that have neglected to protect the well-being of the very people who have made them successful. We fight to set things right, no matter the obstacles. No matter what.
A Long History of Standing Up for Oilfield Workers in Baton Rouge & Louisiana
Louisiana is home to some of the most significant oilfields in the United States, playing a vital role in our nation's energy production. Major oilfields like the Haynesville Shale in the northwest—one of the country's largest natural gas fields—and the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale in central Louisiana, rich in crude oil reserves, are key contributors to the industry. Additionally, the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana's coast hosts numerous offshore platforms and drilling operations.
Oil and gas companies have a reputation for exploiting the hard work of derrick operators, truck drivers, and roughnecks while putting them at serious personal risk. Our Louisiana oilfield injury attorneys strive to be the advocates that workers need when their employers fail to provide safety on the work site. It is our mission to hold oil companies accountable and give workers access to medical care, money, and anything else they need to rebuild their lives.
At Arnold & Itkin, our Louisiana land rig accident attorneys have a history of standing up for the rights of oilfield workers throughout Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and nationwide. We are committed to being a voice for the voiceless and protecting the rights of hardworking people who are involved in life-changing accidents through no fault of their own.
If you suffered an injury or if your loved one passed away, speak with our oilfield accident lawyers in Louisiana by calling (888) 493-1629 or contacting us online.
