KENS5.com, San Antonio Eyewitness News, reports that two Texas workers were recently injured in a Frio County oil explosion. The accident happened at the SouthCross Energy gas plant, and it forced the evacuation of the area immediately surrounding the facility. According to responding emergency service workers, the fire started when an oil truck was being unloaded. One of the injured workers required an airlift to a San Antonio hospital. Oil and gas can be a very dangerous industry if proper precautions are not taken. If you have been injured while working in the Texas oil industry, please call an experienced oil field injury attorney for help.
Oil Industry Injuries have been Rising
Over the past decade there has been a significant growth in the oil and gas industry in Texas. An unfortunate consequence of this energy boom has been the increase in oil related work injuries. The high pressure to grow the business quickly has led some companies to put worker safety on the backburner. This is simply not acceptable. Notably, the safety of industry related trucking has become a major issue. Trucking is a huge part of the oil industry. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), trucking was responsible for the largest share of oil and gas industry workplace injuries. The recent Frio County oil truck explosion is another example of how dangerous these trucks can be.
Steps to take after an Oil Industry Work Injury
Texas work injury law is complicated, so for many it can often be difficult to determine exactly what to do after an on the job injury. No matter the circumstances, you deserve full and fair compensation for any work injury, here are three immediate steps you should take:
- Report the injury to your supervisor: The Texas workers’ compensation Act, has a timely notice provision. You are required to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. If you fail to report your injury, you put your workers’ compensation rights at serious risk. You need to officially report your injury immediately.
- Seek professional medical assistance: Always see a doctor after a work injury, even if you believe the injury is relatively minor. There are two important reasons to keep in mind. First, and most importantly, you should do it for the sake of your own health. The full extent of many injuries are not immediately apparent. But also, a professional medical examination will help you recover full and fair work injury benefits.
- Hire an experienced work injury attorney: This is important, Texas work injury law is complex. Some oil field workers are covered by workers’ compensation, while some are not and may have to bring a lawsuit. Regardless of your situation, an experienced San Antonio work injury lawyer can determine the best way to move forward in your case.
Contact Our Office Today
The safety of Texas workers should be the top priority of oil and gas companies. It is a potentially dangerous industry, and these companies have a legal responsibility to take proper precautions and look out for their workers. Unfortunately, big companies do not always live up to this responsibility. At the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, we have experience representing injured Texas oil workers. If you have been injured on the job in Texas, please contact our office today to schedule a free legal consultation.
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