A man from Brookhaven, Mississippi recently died in a work-related accident on an oil rig in Lincoln County. The accident occurred on Monday, October 6, 2014. The County Coroner reports that the 22 year old employee was working on an oil rig when he was hit by a pipe at about 9:30 p.m. The rig was located two miles northeast of Brookhaven.
The seriously injured worker was transported by private vehicle to a medical center in Brookhaven, but sadly did not survive. An autopsy is planned. The young man was working for Loomis International, a subcontractor for Denbury Resources, a Texas-based oil and gas exploration company. Originally from Michigan, the worker had lived in Brookhaven for about two years.
This deadly oil rig accident highlights the dangers that face workers in this high stakes job. America is one of the top oil producing countries in the world, with over 1,800 oil rigs located across the nation. While most of our oil comes from Alaska, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas, Mississippi is home to much drilling activity as well. Most oil rigs are located in remote locations. Oil rig workers are typically sent to these locations for several months of years at a time.
While the oil company will usually pay room and board, other expenses, and the pay is generally high, working on an oil rig is considered one of the country’s most dangerous jobs. Oil rig workers typically put in strenuous work for eight to 12 hours per day. The demands for increased productivity are high, and there is often a shortage of workers. Working conditions can be chaotic and quite dangerous. The likelihood of oil rig injuries and deaths is at an all time high.
Most oil rig accidents are the result of negligence, human error, or a product defect, including equipment failure, exposure to hazardous chemicals or harsh elements. Causes of oil rig accidents commonly include:
- Falls from oil derricks
- Equipment failure
- Negligent maintenance
- Contractor, subcontractor, or co-worker negligence
- Truck accidents on the job
- Burns caused by oilfield explosions or fires
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Serious injuries or death caused by oil well blowouts
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in an oil rig accident, contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Obtaining compensation for oil rig accidents can be complex and will require prompt investigation and action. Injured oil rig workers and their families have several possible avenues for recovery, including through workers’ compensation, a personal injury action, or a product defect action.
Barrett Law PLLC: Protecting Mississippi Oil Rig Workers
Working on an oil rig can be strenuous and, at its worst, dangerous. Serious and even deadly accidents can occur on oil rigs due to the negligence of others or a product defect. Workers injured in oil rig accidents and their families have the right to pursue compensation in the event they are injured or killed on the job. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC assist injured oil rig workers across the state. We will fight to see that you receive the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled, including coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages, occupational rehabilitation, and more. Under some circumstances, you may additionally be able to pursue compensation outside the workers’ compensation program. The attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC will thoroughly evaluate the facts of your accident and uncover all potential avenues for recovery. Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.