Injured by a Gas Burn? Understanding Your Rights and Compensation

A gas burn injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. Exposure to dangerous gases and flammable materials is often part of the job in the oil and gas industry. When employers, contractors, or property owners fail to follow proper safety protocols, the risk of a severe gas burn increases dramatically. The result can be severe, long-lasting injuries such as permanent scarring, nerve tissue damage, and life-threatening infections.

Recovering from gas field full-thickness burn injuries can require extensive medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and time away from work. The process can create physical, emotional, and financial stress for you and your family. Understanding your rights after a gas burn injury is essential. The sooner you know your options, the better your chances of holding the responsible parties accountable and securing the financial support you need to move forward. Understanding a burn injury—its severity, causes, and long-term impact—is critical, especially when complications like inhalational injury are involved.

Common Causes of Gas-Related Burn Injuries

Oklahoma oil and gas fields can be dangerous, especially when companies ignore safety rules and protocols. Often, gas-related burn injuries in gas fields result from unsafe working conditions, equipment failures, or human error. These environments involve flammable gases, high-pressure lines, and heavy machinery, contributing to significant gas field accidents if not properly managed. Common causes of gas-related burn injuries in gas fields include:

• Gas Leaks and Pipeline Ruptures – Damaged pipelines, faulty valves, or poor maintenance can cause gas to escape, leading to fires or explosions. Pipeline ruptures can also occur due to corrosion or external damage, so regular maintenance and inspections are vital.
• Blowouts – A well blowout occurs when the pressure control system in a gas well fails. This pressure causes an uncontrolled release of gas that can ignite into a violent explosion.
• Improper Use of Equipment – Workers misusing equipment without proper training can trigger dangerous gas releases or sparks. Negligent hiring practices by a gas company can lead to unqualified or untrained workers performing high-risk job duties.
• Failure to Follow Safety Protocols –Ignoring established safety procedures dramatically increases the risk of gas-related burn accidents. Lack of proper personal protective equipment or fire extinguishing systems can also lead to substantial burn injuries. Failure to conduct regular risk assessments or improperly storing flammable materials are safety hazards that can lead to fires and burn injuries.
• Defective Machinery – Faulty or poorly maintained equipment can create ignition sources, leading to fires or explosions.
• Electrical Sparks or Open Flames – A small spark near a gas source can cause a fire or explosion.
• Inadequate Ventilation – Poor ventilation allows gas to accumulate, creating a highly flammable environment.
• Exposure to Harmful Chemicals – Thermal burns are not the only cause for concern for gas field workers. Exposure to improperly stored chemicals can result in devastating chemical burns. Lack of PPE when handling corrosive or dangerous chemicals can also cause major burns and serious injuries.

Legal and Compensation Options for Gas Burn Victims

A gas field worker suffering chemical or thermal degree burns may have several options for pursuing fair compensation for their injuries. Often, these options depend on the nature of the accident. The first resource most injured gas field workers have for recovering compensation for their injuries is filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance is no-fault insurance coverage. It helps injured workers recover compensation for their medical expenses and some of their lost wages. No-fault coverage means that workers can generally pursue compensation, no matter who was at fault for causing the accident. The workers’ compensation program also provides disability benefits to workers who cannot return to work due to temporary or permanent disability. Death benefits may also be available to family members who lose a loved one to a gas field workplace accident.

Workers’ compensation benefits help injured workers get the necessary medical care and burn treatment. However, accepting benefits also protects the company from litigation.

When the actions of a third party cause an accident, a personal injury lawsuit may be an option for injured gas field workers. Although accepting workers’ compensation shields an employer from lawsuits, it does not protect external businesses that may have contributed to the incident. Entities that bear liability for a gas field fire, explosion, or chemical exposure can include:

• Parts or equipment manufacturers
• Maintenance companies
• Contractors and subcontractors

The value of a personal injury lawsuit varies based on the facts of the case and the severity of a worker’s injuries. However, in many cases, a person can seek money for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

A knowledgeable gas field accident attorney can review your situation, evaluate your injuries, and help you understand your legal options for recovering maximum compensation.

How to Prevent Gas Burn Injuries

Gas and oil field accidents and explosions can cause devastating thermal burn injuries. These injuries can require extensive and painful treatment, such as skin grafts. Scarring, chronic pain, and loss of mobility are common. Chemical burns can also cause many of the same issues, such as vision loss and lung problems. In the most tragic cases—like a wrongful death in a gas explosion—families are left not only grieving but also searching for answers and justice.

Preventing gas burn injuries in gas fields and protecting at-risk workers requires strict safety protocols and proper training. Ways that you and your company can protect workers and help prevent gas burn injuries include:

• Perform Proper Equipment Maintenance – Preventing leaks and finding and addressing mechanical failures means regularly inspecting and maintaining all gas field equipment, pipelines, valves, and machinery.
• Prioritize Safety Training – Inexperienced or untrained workers can cause significant accidents. Workers should receive training on handling flammable gases, emergency procedures, and proper personal protective equipment. Employers must also prominently display OSHA regulations and safety protocols.
• Enforce PPE Requirements – Gas field workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including flame-resistant clothing and safety gear. This equipment should be regularly inspected and replaced when worn out or compromised.
• Follow Federal and State Regulations – Employers must adhere to OSHA, state, and industry-specific safety standards. These gas-field standards help prevent injuries and reduce safety risks.
• Stay Up to Date on Emergency Preparedness – Employers should develop and practice emergency response plans to ensure quick action if a gas leak or fire occurs. All employees should receive training on what to do during a fire, explosion, chemical spill, or other accident.

Contact an Oklahoma Gas Field Accident Lawyer Today

Gas burn injuries can cause a lifetime of pain and degrade a person’s quality of life. They can also lead to substantial financial hardships. At Abel Law Firm, our gas field accident lawyers in Oklahoma fight to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Our team is here to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward securing the necessary benefits. Contact our office now or call (405) 239-7046 to request a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.

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