Some reports estimate that yearly, there are around 1000 faulty drilling equipment accidents.
Workers in the oil field face various risks, and unfortunately, many of them stem from working with faulty drilling equipment.
These machines should be regularly checked to ensure everyone’s safety on the work site, but some issues may be overlooked. Over time, even small problems can eventually lead to severe worker injuries. Some reports estimate that yearly, there are around 1000 faulty drilling equipment accidents. It’s clear that this issue requires attention, and companies need to focus more on safety.
Here are 5 of the most common injuries that faulty drilling equipment can cause.
- Fractures – These may be some of the ‘lightest’ injuries caused by faulty drilling equipment. They may be visible, with the bone piercing the skin, but in some cases, the bone could remain in place, leading to severe pain. Some people may not even feel much pain initially, but the fractured area will become sore and swell.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Spinal cord injuries can lead to weakness or complete loss of muscle function in the area lower to the injury. Oftentimes, these types of injuries can result in permanent damage, even leaving the injured worker disabled for life.
- Severe Burns – In the event of an explosion or fire, workers caught in the crossfire may experience severe burns on their bodies. Protective gear may lower the severity of the burn, but that also depends on the size of the blow. Burns are some of the most difficult types of injuries to treat. They require extensive periods to heal and are extremely painful. Some people may even be left with permanent scars.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – A traumatic brain injury results when the brain hits itself against the walls of your skull. This can happen because of a direct blow to the head, but even a violent head jolt can result in a TBI. The problem is, TBIs often don’t have immediate symptoms, so the injured worker is likely to brush off any symptoms at first, and perhaps not even connect it to the work injury.
- Wrongful Death – Faulty equipment leads to accidents, and if that accident kills a worker, it is legally considered a wrongful death. Your employer is responsible for ensuring all workers’ safety, which also includes proper equipment maintenance. If a worker dies due to their negligence, the employer is liable.
Contact a Work Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured at work due to faulty drilling equipment, call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to discuss your legal rights. For more than 25 years, we have helped injured workers throughout the state of Missouri receive the compensation benefits they need and deserve. Call us at (314) 361-4300 or complete our online case evaluation form to request a FREE consultation.