Who Is Responsible after a Fort Worth Oil Rig Explosion?

No one needs to explain to you just how dangerous oil rig explosions are. These life-threatening accidents are not only exceptionally dangerous but are also challenging legal matters. If you or someone you care about was injured in an oil rig explosion, reach out to our experienced Fort Worth oil rig accident attorneys at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP, for our trusted guidance.

Oilfields around Fort Worth

Fort Worth rests on the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin, which is known for immense natural gas production throughout the Barnett Shale. This translates to oil rigs, and oil rig explosions happen.

Assigning Responsibility in Your Claim

Assigning legal responsibility in the aftermath of an oil rig explosion is always complex. The complexity is driven by the fact that multiple parties very often share legal liability. Ultimately, modern gas and oil operations are managed through a network of separate companies, which highlights the related challenges. Working closely with a well-informed oil rig accident lawyer from the start is always in your best interest.

The Rig Operator

The rig operator is responsible for the management of overall site supervision, which means that liability can attach to them if any of the following applies:

• They rushed operations.
• They failed to coordinate effective communication and emergency protocols with the various crews working on the operation.
• They ignored safety hazards that they knew about or reasonably should have known about.

Many oil rig explosion claims involve negligence on the part of the rig operator.

The Drilling Contractor or Specialty Contractor

In the oil industry, subcontractors often handle specialized work like cementing, well-servicing, and pressure control. When a contractor fails to follow standard operating procedures or fails to adequately monitor downhole pressure, they can be held directly responsible.

The Property Owner or the Owner of the Lease

The owners of surface or mineral rights who fail to accurately disclose known hazards on their sites, as required by law, can also be held accountable and may share liability.

The Equipment Manufacturers

If a mechanical breakdown caused the explosion, the manufacturer can be held responsible in a product liability claim. Prime examples of faulty equipment include compromised drill pipes, defective valves, and faulty blowout preventers.

Determining fault in an oil rig explosion requires careful analysis and detailed forensic investigative efforts. Prime concerns include eyewitness accounts, maintenance logs, and equipment data. Because drawing a straight line between cause and effect is complex, you need focused legal representation backing you up.

Our Experienced Fort Worth Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers Are Here to Help

It’s difficult to overstate the losses associated with oil rig explosions. Our seasoned Fort Worth oil rig explosion attorneys at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP, have reserves of experience successfully handling challenging oil rig accident claims, and we’re here for you, too. For more information about everything we can do to help, please don’t delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 817-920-9000 today.