Oil and Gas Well Accidents

The natural gas industry in North Texas is booming as a result of high gas prices and abundant production in the Barnett Shale, which is the gas basin extending through Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant, and Wise Counties. While this has resulted in record profits for gas companies, it also has resulted in more accidents and deaths and threatens to put many more workers at risk. In order to capitalize on profits, some gas corporations are cutting corners, pressuring workers to move too quickly, insisting that employees work long strenuous hours, in bad weather conditions, or under unsafe, dangerous work conditions. In addition, some workers are inexperienced and their training unfortunately occurs after the fact on the job. This puts both them and their co-workers at risk. There is also a high demand for and a shortage of drilling rigs and other necessary equipment. In order to meet this demand, some companies are choosing to keep equipment in the field without routine and proper maintenance or beyond its recommend service date. As anyone in this business knows, equipment failures can be catastrophic. As a result of the above, the risk for serious injury and death in this field of work is increasing.

As the drilling gets closer to our neighborhoods, the risk of injury to local citizens and their families may rise. Further, the nuisance from the loud noise and bright lights from drilling rigs and processing plants can dramatically affect the use, enjoyment, and value of the surrounding residential property.

Stephens, Anderson & Cummings is experienced and very knowledgeable in this area. The law firm has represented several workers that have been catastrophically injured in gas drilling accidents. Stephens, Anderson & Cummings currently represents the family of a young man that was burned alive in Wise County by the conscious careless acts of a large gas company and is seeking tens of millions of dollars to compensate the family and prevent this kind of catastrophe in the future. In addition, Stephens, Anderson & Cummings also represents 27 homeowners in a Parker County lawsuit stemming from the drastic loss of value, use, and enjoyment in their properties caused by the glaring stadium lighting and disruptive noise levels generated by a local gas processing plant.