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5 Dead After Explosion at Natural Gas Field
Photo credit: Osage SkyNews 6 HD. Click here to read article.

Tragedy struck again in the oilfield on Monday, January 23, 2018, when an explosion on a drilling site in Oklahoma left five people dead. The rig is owned by Houston based Patterson-UTI Energy, who has since confirmed that three of its employees are among those who perished in the explosion. The drilling site was operated by Oklahoma based Red Mountain Operating.

This is the deadliest oilfield explosion since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Like the Deepwater Horizon, the Oklahoma explosion appears to have been due the failure of a critical piece of well equipment, a blowout preventer.

Offshore oil and gas workers are nearly seven times more likely to die on the job compared with the average U.S. worker. From 2010-2015, the oil and gas extraction industry lost 706 workers to fatal injuries. Over 5,000 workers suffered nonfatal injuries or illnesses in 2016 alone. Common injuries include things like traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, lacerations and crushed limbs. Some of the dangers posed to oil field workers include: equipment failures; fires and explosions; severe weather and ice; slips, trips and falls; falling objects; electrical hazards; hazardous chemicals; extreme temperatures; noise; and transportation incidents (e.g., helicopter crashes).

For more than 30 years, Richard Schechter and his experienced legal team at The Law Office of Richard Schechter, P.C. have represented numerous workers and their families for oilfield related injuries and deaths. They not only understand the operation of rigs but can also navigate the varying laws that apply depending on where or when an accident occurred.

If you would like more information or to schedule a free consultation, please contact the Law Office of Richard Schechter, P.C. at 713-623-8919, 800-734-5612 or info@rs-law.com.

About the Author

Zach Young
Zach Young
author

A Passion for Justice