Careers in oil and gas are often inherently more dangerous than a traditional desk job and frequently require ongoing training and safety procedures, which can frequently be overlooked by many workers. Unfortunately, the dangers are a real issue and accidents can result in life-altering injuries, such as impaired vision and blindness. Accidents to the eye and eye region are among the most devastating to an individual and often do not involve a promising outlook for recovery. If you or a loved one have been injured in an oil and gas accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2,000 workers sustain eye injuries in the work place every day. Oil rigs have been notorious for safety issues since the first wells were drilled nearly a century ago. Since this time, the oil and gas industry has become more heavily regulated, requiring ongoing trainings and safety procedures to be implemented throughout the rig. Unfortunately, not every employer takes the necessary precautions when drilling for oil and gas, thereby leading to serious injuries.

Many of the common accidents leading to impaired vision and blindness in the oil and gas industry involve the following:

• Release of pressurized liquids
• Fire
• Burst pipes
• Projectiles
• Lack of safety goggles (personal protective equipment, or PPE)
• Defective PPE

Some of the leading causes of oil rig accidents involve the failure to properly train employees to recognize dangerous situations. The most important rule for employees to follow includes the requirement to wear personal protective equipment, or PPE. The failure to instruct employees to wear this type of equipment in dangerous situations could lead to dangerous injuries.

After any devastating accident, employees have the opportunity to bring a claim for damages against their employer in a number of ways. The most common method is through the individual state’s workers’ compensation statute. However, for oil and gas workers, the federal maritime laws may offer a separate opportunity for recovery. Other employees may be able to bring a claim for damages under the state’s individual personal injury statute.

As the victim of an oil and gas accident, you are entitled to bring a claim for damages against those responsible for the destruction. A claim for damages may include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering

An experienced attorney will assist you in determining which avenue is the appropriate one to take, as well as the total amount of damages you are entitled to receive as a result of your injuries.

If you or a loved one received an eye injury while working on an oil rig or in the oil and gas industry, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in assisting his clients with their claims after a devastating accident takes their vision. Contact our Beaumont or Houston offices today for your initial free consultation.