West Virginia Gas Drilling Accidents

In West Virginia, as in many other places in the country, the oil and natural gas industry is alive and well. As a matter of fact, the operations of this industry have dramatically expanded in the state over the past several years. Many businesses have been attracted to the promise of working on the Marcellus Shale play, which is leading to booming profits for companies operating in West Virginia. For the large part, companies have conducted these operations in a safe manner, but there have been notable exceptions.

Sadly, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of gas drilling accidents in West Virginia. Because many companies have been driven to drive up their profits in the state, many safety measures that would normally be employed have gone out the window. This has put the workers that are employed by these companies at extreme risk, and some have even become injured in gas drilling accidents. Further, these accidents have also affected the West Virginia environment, something that puts residents at risk.

West Virginia Gas Drilling Accidents’ Impact on Workers

Make no mistake; those who earn their living at West Virginia’s gas drilling sites have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Not only is the gas that they are extracting from the earth incredibly volatile, but they are also using a variety of heavy equipment and machinery (as well as toxic substances) to extract it. Of course, if these workers’ employers do whatever is necessary to ensure that these jobsites are as safe as they can be, the risk of a gas drilling accident is extremely low. But, there have been a shocking number of cases where worker safety has been compromised, and West Virginia’s workers have sustained heinous injuries as a result.

It’s important for workers in West Virginia who are injured in gas drilling accidents to know that they have recourse through the law to seek compensation and damages. To do so, they will want to consult with a highly qualified gas drilling accident attorney, like those who are employed by Heavens Law. This should be done before a worker signs paperwork provided by an employer or the employer’s insurance company. These entities will always seek to minimize their exposure to an accident, and this can often leave workers holding the bill for their medical expenses.

West Virginia Gas Drilling Accidents’ Impact on Residents

When a gas drilling accident occurs, many things can happen. Aside from injuries sustained by workers, the environment itself can become injured. There have been instances where the groundwater around a gas drilling accident has become contaminated. Residents in these areas suffer a variety of ill health effects as a result. Further, one of these accidents can also fill the air with toxic fumes. For this reason, there have been incidents where West Virginia residents have experienced respiratory problems, nosebleeds, headaches, and even worse. If you’re concerned about a gas drilling accident’s effect on your family, then reach out to an attorney as soon as possible.

Who to Contact About a West Virginia Gas Drilling Accident

At Heavens Law, we’ve handled a number of West Virginia gas drilling accident cases, both for workers and for residents. If you suffered injury on a jobsite or you’re concerned about an accident’s effect on your family, then get in touch with Heavens Law today by calling 1-800-HEAV-LAW. One of our gas drilling accident attorneys can offer you a free consultation, wherein you can tell us your story. After we have a handle on the facts, we can advise you on the best way to proceed. Let us fight for your rights!