Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion Claims Lives of Five Workers
911 dispatchers serving the Quinton, Oklahoma, area were recently inundated with calls when an oil rig exploded in Pittsburg County, four miles from the town. Quinton itself is located about 100 miles south of Tulsa. The situation near Quinton underscores the ramifications of an Oklahoma oil rig explosion. The reality is that the injuries, damages, and losses arising from an oil rig explosion can be profound.
Five Fatalities in Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion
In the immediate aftermath of the rig explosion outside Quinton, Oklahoma, five workers were reported missing. Later on the day of the explosion, the remains of the five workers were found by fire and rescue personnel who were at the scene of the blast and fire. The men killed as a result of the explosion were from Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The men ranged in age from mid-20s to 60.
Family members of the deceased workers may be in a position to pursue what is known as an Oklahoma oil rig explosion wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit is a possibility when it appears negligent, or even reckless, conduct somehow contributed to the oil rig explosion in the first instance. Although the families of these killed workers can never be made whole, this type of claim can provide some level of compensation.
In Oklahoma, the law permits a personal representative to pursue a wrongful death claim and lawsuit on behalf of the deceased individual's estate and beneficiaries or heirs. For example, if one of the killed workers had a will, the person named as the executor of that last will and testament would be in a position to pursue a wrongful death claim and lawsuit on behalf of the deceased individual and his beneficiaries.
There is a deadline by which an Oklahoma oil rig wrongful death lawsuit must be filed. Such a lawsuit needs to be filed within two years or bringing such litigation will become impossible.
Driller Has History of Fatal Accidents
As the investigation surrounding the Oklahoma Oil rig explosion continues, federal records reveal that this is not the first accident involving fatalities at rig sites associated with drilling contractor Patterson-UTI. In fact, in the past decade, 10 workers have been killed at Patterson-UTI oil rig sites. This includes the five men killed in Oklahoma within the past couple of weeks.
Over the course of the past 10 years, Patterson-UTI has been subject to multiple fines for various violations. Some of these violations are considered to be highly serious. During the past decade, Patterson-UTI has paid more than $367,000.
Safety issues with Patterson-UTI have not gone unnoticed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. A 2008 report from a committee of the United States Senate described Patterson-UTI as being one of the worst violators of laws pertaining to workplace safety in all of the United States.
Multiple Agencies Oversee Investigation of Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion
At the present time, three federal governmental agencies are involved in the investigation of the Oklahoma oil rig explosion. These are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The Trump Administration has announced that it intends to phase out the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, maintaining that its work is largely duplicative of what is done by OSHA and the EPA in the aftermath of an event like the Quinton oil rig explosion.
Retain a Skilled, Experienced Oklahoma Oil Rig Explosion Lawyer
The first step in retaining the services of an experienced Oklahoma oil rig explosion lawyer is to schedule an initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, like a member of the legal team of The Doan Law Firm. The Doan Law Firm maintains an Oklahoma oil rig explosion hotline at (800) 349-0000 that is staffed around the clock, 365 days a year, including all major holidays.
A member of The Doan Law Firm legal team can arrange an appointment with you at anyone of our Oklahoma offices, at your home, or even at the hospital, depending on your circumstances.
During an initial consultation, an Oklahoma oil rig explosion will provide you with an evaluation of your case. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your case. The Doan Law Firm charges no fee for an initial consultation.
The Doan Law Firm Attorney Fee Guarantee
The Doan Law Firm never charges an attorney fee in an Oklahoma oil rig explosion case unless we obtain a favorable settlement or judgment for you. At the Doan Law Firm, you pay no fees unless we win for you.