At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our Chesapeake Energy accident lawyers hold oil and gas companies accountable for their misconduct and negligence. We've represented hundreds of employees against their employers, holding these large corporations liable for medical costs, lost wages, and other financial losses. If you were injured in a Chesapeake Energy accident, speak with us as soon as possible to learn your legal and financial options.
Call (888) 493-1629 today to get your free consultation.
Oil Well Explosion & Fire in Burleson County
In January 2020, a Chesapeake Energy well in Burleson County had a blowout that killed three workers. The three injured workers were flown by helicopter to hospitals in Houston and Austin from the well-site, which is east of Deanville. The fire burned well into the night. Later, in February 2022, an oil tank exploded in that same county near Somerville. A piece of the tank blew upward and onto the road, struck by an oncoming driver.
Oil well explosions often leave workers with lifelong trauma and injuries. Some claim numerous workers' lives.
While oil and gas exploration is naturally dangerous, employers are still obligated by law to protect their employees from the risks and hazards of the workplace. In our experience, incidents like this are rarely freak accidents. They're usually the result of red flags being ignored, maintenance being delayed, and prolonged understaffing. On some level, many employers are responsible for workplace disasters, whether it was due to poor practices or poor equipment.
A History of Alleged Fraud & Misconduct at Chesapeake
After the Chesapeake's 20th anniversary, it was hit with multiple allegations of collusion, antitrust actions, and lawsuits for underpaying landowners. In 2012, the Department of Justice investigated Chesapeake Energy for allegedly colluding with a Canadian gas company to bid low on Michigan lands for sale at an auction. In 2014, after the investigation ended, Michigan filed felony fraud and racketeering charges against the company for canceling hundreds of land leases on fraudulent grounds.
In 2013, the company faced thousands of lawsuits regarding underpaying royalties to people who had rented their land to the company. In total, Chesapeake Energy paid $37.5 million to Pennsylvania landowners in a class action settlement. In 2016, a federal grand jury indicted the former CEO of Chesapeake Energy for rigging land lease auctions. During auctions, multiple oil and gas companies would decide ahead of time who would win the bid, then the winner would allocate a share of the interests to the other conspirators.
Holding Companies Accountable. Billions of Dollars Won.
Our Chesapeake Energy well accident lawyers know that the only way to change the industry is to make it accountable for the harm it causes to regular workers and contractors. By taking negligent companies to court, we're able to make them change their policies while providing our clients with the compensation they need to recover. If your injuries have left you unable to pay for medical care and unsure of the future, call our firm. We can help you take the first steps toward recovery with no fees or costs; our firm only takes a fee if we win your case.
Call (888) 493-1629 or use our short online form to request a free consultation with our Chesapeake Energy claim lawyers.
