Compensation For Oil Refinery Accidents

Over 450,000 people are employed by the oil and gas industry, according to OSHA. Oil refinery accidents can cause huge explosions that lead to large scale injuries or death among workers and others nearby. Some accidents are the result of months or even years of negligence after safety regulators inform owners of a problem. Outside regulators are held accountable for workplace accidents that weren’t reported and lead to injury or death.

What Are Oil Refinery Accidents

The Texas City Refinery explosion is an example of one of the worst refinery accidents in the United States. The tragedy ended with 170 injured and 15 killed. Previous safety checks had shown numerous safety issues that lead to the eventual explosion later that year. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), oil and gas extraction workers are 7 times more likely to be killed on the job compared to workers from other U.S. industries. Other accidents can be as basic as a slip and fall, but workers still go through a similar process to receive compensation. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for setting the standards for the power plants and oil refineries in and around the U.S. (March 23, 2005).

How to Receive Compensation

Often, oil refineries will have workers’ compensation insurance in the case that someone is injured while on the job. If an employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, then the worker can sue for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Oil refineries have large legal teams and will most likely settle before a case can go to trial.

Common Causes of Accidents

• Employee negligence
• Unsafe working conditions
• Low-quality tools
• Untrained subcontractors
• 3rd party mistakes