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Gas Well Drilling Accidents and Marcellus Shale Operations in West Virginia

West Virginia is home to a number of natural gas retrieval and production companies that are part of the multiple enterprises working in the Marcellus Shale region. These gas wells are large operations that are heavily regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and utilize many of the same heavy drilling equipment used in mining. As with mines, the gas industry can incorporate large structures, heavy tubes, and volatile or toxic chemicals that can have an impact on worker safety, accidents, and possibly fatal injury, such as:

  • Rib Rolls
  • Roof Falls
  • Structure Collapse
  • Faulty Equipment
  • Bulldozer / Milling Equipment
  • Explosions
  • Truck Accidents
  • Disregard of Safety Laws
  • Safety Hazards
  • Mine Liability Disputes
  • Land / Soil / Water Contamination

For over 30 years, Fox Law Office, PLLC handles claims on behalf of workers who may be injured seriously in an industrial accident on the job at a gas well drilling operation, and others whose health may be impacted by drilling accidents. Attorney James Fox and his staff work hard to protect the rights of people injured in accidents on the job at gas wells, and other parts of the gas drilling industry where products are transported. Take advantage of our experience to help you get the benefits you deserve when you are injured in connection with a gas well drilling accident.

Hydraulic Fracturing (“Fracking”) Injuries in West Virginia

With greater oversight of mining operations in West Virginia comes the added scrutiny of what goes into the ground as well as what comes out. With added drilling into the Marcellus Shale by contractors and sub-contractors, come increased reports of land, air, water, and other health problems associated with the process of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking.”)

Damages and injuries associated with the fracking process can include the pumping of various liquids and chemicals underground. These liquids are not always waste products that are inert or safe, and have been found to contaminate land, soil, and underground waterways, rendering it impossible to use these natural resources.

When hydraulic fracturing occurs close to farming or residential areas, crops and people may be affected with serious damages that can cause physical problems. You have the right to seek a remedy against the negligence of the entities involved, so injured persons need to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, like Attorney James Fox at the Fox Law Office, PLLC. Our office has more than three decades of experience in filing insurance claims on behalf of injured and deceased clients, and can help you get results.

Get Help After a Natural Gas Drilling Truck Accident

Natural gas drilling and coal mining sites around the state of West Virginia can cause an increased volume of traffic, which often consists of heavy-duty trucks necessary in getting materials and personnel to and from these places. The sites themselves can have their dangers, and the increased heavy traffic can push local roads and highways to their limits. This can result in roadways that experience additional wear and tear, interactions with loaded trucks and other machinery, and accidents that can cause significant injuries.

Immediately following a truck accident, inform your employer, even if the accident seems minor. Capture as much of the information and details as you can right after the accident. Using a cellphone camera to take photos of the crashed vehicle(s), their positions, the roadway, debris, people, and other details can be useful. Write down what occurred, as best you can recall.

Certain injuries, like those to the neck and back, may not appear with symptoms until days, weeks, or months later. These seemingly minor injuries can sometimes lead to additional medical or physical therapies, and a quick blow to the head could lead to a significant brain injury, concussion, or death. If your employer does not have a record or report, it can affect your insurance and workers’ compensation claims.

Protect your rights after you have been injured on the workplace in a natural gas drilling truck accident by contacting Fox Law Office, PLLC. Insurance adjusters may contact you with settlement offers, and it is always a good practice to consult with a knowledgeable attorney before you settle your claim. Our attorney will consult with you and review how we can help you pursue a full and fair compensation.