Recent Oil Rig Disasters And Workers Compensation

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to the San Antonio oil refinery fire

, raise many issues about the environmental impact. Another important element is the safety of workers in this dangerous line of work. Not only do these types of incidents raise issues about offshore drilling, and how these disasters affect nearby wildlife and residents. Many point to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of lax oversight from the federal government, complacency by oil companies and the complex working involved with drilling a mile deep. Although numerous reasons can be cited for leading to such disasters, the fact that worker safety is questionable cannot be ignored.

The BP explosion in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 of the oil rig's 126 crew and is now having an environmental impact while raising questions about the safety of offshore drilling. The 18-wheeler explosion in San Antonio put the lives of 100 employees at risk, sent one employee to a burn unit of a local hospital and resulted in treating several other workers at the refinery. Additionally, residents within a half-mile radius of the refinery were evacuated from the area.

While the BP and Transocean companies blame each other about where the fault lies the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, both the environmental and economical impacts of the large oil spill haven't been fully assessed. Meanwhile numerous lawsuits have already been filed from families of workers killed or injured in the explosion on April 20. Additionally, other lawsuits are being filed on behalf of other individuals whose livelihoods are based in the gulf, namely crabbers, shrimpers, oystermen, seafood wholesalers and processors, and also beachfront condo owners. And although BP claimed responsibility for the clean up from the oil spill, there are also chances that various civil lawsuits are also filed.

In the case of the San Antonio refinery explosion, lawsuits could also be a possibility depending on the outcome from investigation into what caused the explosion. In oil refinery explosions the most common causes can be improper maintenance, violations of industry codes, improper training, defective products, unsafe designs of the facilities, and operator errors. But oftentimes refineries use sub-contractors to maintain and service their facilities so there are chances that checks and balances of worker safety do not occur to the utmost. Also, a lot of large companies are not likely to invest money in their facilities and upgrade equipment or improve safety standards.

Therefore, not only in the environmental impact of such catastrophes a big issue, it also raises questions about the safety standards for workers in such facilities. Without proper safety precautions, more oil spills and refinery explosions will occur.

Workers who have been injured in refinery explosions and oil rig accidents should consult an experienced oil refinery attorney or oil rig explosion attorney in the Gulf states, or in Texas.

A caring oil refinery explosion attorney could help to ease the family and injured person's burden throughout the legal process.

by: John Carpenter

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