On Thursday afternoon, an oil field worker was injured at a worksite off of FM 367. According to KFDX News Channel Three, the incident happened at Mitchell Ranch, near Highway 25. Christopher Beck, the 19-year-old victim, was injured when something went wrong with one of the booms. He was airlifted to the hospital due to the severity of the injury and the remote location of the worksite.
Oil Field Worker Suffers from Back Injury
Very few details have been released, but there was apparently a problem with a large wench truck. KFDX News Channel Three reports that part of the wench shifted and the booms came down, striking the oil field worker in the back and shoulder area. Although there’s no word on the extent of his injuries, Beck was reportedly treated and released.
Oil Field Accidents on the Rise
Oil field accidents are an all too common occurrence in the Texoma area. With the booming natural gas extraction industry in Texas, there has also been an increase in oil field related injuries and fatalities. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that fatality rates in the oil and gas extraction industry are actually on the rise, rather than showing an equal increase with industry growth.
Oil Patch Injuries
Depending upon the circumstance, injuries in the oil patch can vary greatly. Since there is the potential for explosions, burn injuries are commonly seen on the oil field. The severity of this type of injury can also vary greatly from minor burns and smoke inhalation to death. Accidents involving heavy machinery can lead to severe head and spinal cord injuries and amputation injuries. In addition to hazards on the oil patch, the increase in commercial trucking traffic also puts workers and other motorists at risk.
After an Oil Field Injury
After an oil field injury, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Whether you’re recovering from a burn injury related to an explosion or a catastrophic injury involving heavy machinery failure, you need to call an attorney to get the ball rolling on your case. You’re out of work and in the hospital, and you need an advocate looking out for you and your family’s best interests. The team at the Altman Legal Group wishes Christopher Beck a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.