Confidential Settlements Oilfield Accident case

The Firm, working with another law firm, obtained significant settlements for our client in an oilfield accident case that occurred in the Eagle Ford Formation in Webb County, Texas. The amounts of the settlements were confidential. 

The incident in question took place during oilfield drilling operations and involved, among other things, a broken and inoperable mud bucket door latch assembly. Contrary to applicable regulations and required safety protocols, there was also no hose connected to the mud bucket’s drain. Because the latch assembly was broken, the only way to attempt to secure the mud bucket door was for a floorhand, in this case our client, to try and keep it manually shut. The absence of the hose required our client to use the mud bucket to catch the drilling mud coming out of the drain and required him to kneel to place the lip of the bucket under the drain. During drilling operations, an explosive amount of pressure built-up as a result of the defective mud bucket and the absence of the hose, which caused the mud bucket door to blow open and tremendous amounts of drilling mud to strike our client’s face and head. Our client suffered facial fractures and blindness in his right eye. 

We overcame numerous defenses from numerous defendants, including the exclusive remedy workers’ compensation defense from the well operator, and were able to achieve multiple settlements from multiple defendants, on terms favorable to our client.

For more information about this litigation, please contact Michael Weinberg at mweinberg@weinbergfirm.com.