On Dec. 19 at approximately 1 a.m., an oil rig exploded and burst into flames, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office chief of operations. The oil rig is located around 2 miles west of Coalgate in southeastern Oklahoma and is about 100 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. Two workers were killed in the explosion, and three others suffered injuries. <\/p>\n
Dan D. Drilling of Lamont, Oklahoma employed all five of the workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor in Dallas. Pablo Energy, a Texas-based company, owned the oil rig where the explosion occurred. <\/p>\n
The two deceased workers included a 26-year-old man from Ada and a 27-year-old man from Tulsa, according to the state Medical Examiner’s Office. The two workers, who were critically injured, were transported to Oklahoma City to a hospital burn unit. The other injured worker suffered burns as well, but only on his hands. <\/p>\n
After the flames were put out, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators began helping with the investigation into the source of the explosion. There were no evacuations necessary in the area surrounding the oil rig, and no major environmental damage was reported, according to an Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesperson.<\/p>\n
When workers suffer injuries or a family loses a loved one in a workplace accident, they could be entitled to workers’ compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of income, loss of a primary wage earner, rehabilitation costs or final expenses. A workers’ compensation attorney who regularly handles industrial workers’ accidents could help by examining all of the evidence and any witness’ statements to determine liability in the case. An attorney could also help a victim, or the family of a victim, to understand all of their legal rights and how to proceed with filing a claim for compensation. <\/p>\n