Tragedy struck Midland County when an oil-field worker (roughneck) was found dead earlier this year. The worker was identified as Paul Stuart, who was working alone on a drilling rig. His body was found near County Roads 170 and 1110.
One of the things that makes a roughneck’s job more dangerous is working alone. Mr. Stuart fell into a spool of cable and got tangled in the cords. He was only in his 20s.
According to former roughneck Rafael Estrada, working near or on a drilling rig is one of the most dangerous jobs in the industry. Likewise, while Stuart was likely advised not to work alone, many in the field do their jobs by themselves, as working with dangerous equipment solo is not that uncommon.
Additionally, these workers sometimes work 24-hour shifts, which increase their chances of making mistakes. All crews should be working together and ensuring their paying attention to their surroundings. Working the oilfields is a dangerous job that requires vigilant team members who know exactly what they’re doing.
OSHA was in the process of investigating Mr. Stuart’s death, and it’s unclear whether the agency will be facing repercussions for workplace safety violations.
If you or a loved one was harmed working as a roughneck in the field, you deserve compensation. Talk to our about your case as soon as possible. He has more than a decade of experience helping Texas workers and their families seek compensation for injuries or illnesses sustained on the job. The Law Office of George P. Escobedo & Associates, PLLC is proud to offer skilled and tenacious representation. Let us see what we can do for you and your family.
Contact us at (210) 807-3178 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with us today.