[12-02-2022] Kern County, CA – Worker Severely Injured After Rig Blowout in Bakersfield

One worker was severely injured after a rig blowout in an abandoned oil well caused him to fall from a platform in Bakersfield Friday morning, December 2, 2022.

Authorities reported that the accident occurred around 8:26 a.m. near California Avenue and Easton Drive.

Responders rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a potential oil rig explosion and treated it as a fire.

The victim was provided treatment for his injuries and was transported to Kern Medical Center.

The worker reportedly suffered critical injuries, including multiple fractures in both legs and severe bleeding, but was conscious at the time.

An adjacent building was damaged, and a pipe flew off and impacted the Omni solar panels.

Aside from the victim, no other casualties were reported.

Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Workplace Accident Statistics

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, over 4,500 people are killed or severely injured annually in workplace mishaps.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that roughly two-thirds of American workers were injured in 2019. By 2020, this number is expected to remain unchanged.

Workers’ compensation claims have been progressively dropping despite a consistent rate of workplace fatalities. In 2018, there were 5,333 fatal workplace accidents, a 2% increase over 2017. The annual death toll has been steadily rising since 2010.

In 2018, there were 2% more fatal workplace accidents than in 2017. So far this year, there have been 5,333 fatalities due to traffic-related events. Trips slip and falls accounted for 16% of all unintentional deaths. Car accidents accounted for 39.8% of all fatalities in the United States in 2016.

While most workplaces are risk-free, others pose significant dangers to employees due to their particular features or location. Most fatal occupational accidents occur in the manufacturing, farming, transportation, and construction industries.

Homicides, car accidents, and job injuries are the top three causes of workplace fatalities. Overexertion from lifting and carrying large goods, trips, and falls are the most prevalent nonfatal occupational injury causes.

Reliable Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Bakersfield

You will be represented in court by your attorney if you retain counsel. Taking advantage of workers’ compensation should be avoided.

Obtaining reasonable compensation from the insurer necessitates the assistance of legal counsel. Consider consulting an attorney if you can’t afford one but would like your case reviewed thoroughly.

You can rely on our workers’ compensation attorneys in Bakersfield to represent you in court and negotiate a reasonable settlement.

Our firm is prepared to assist you if you have been injured in an accident. A third party’s negligence or carelessness may have contributed to your or a loved one’s injury or death. Consequently, you should take legal action to collect what is rightfully yours.

Call our California workers’ compensation attorneys at (888) 488-1391 for a free case evaluation, or fill out our online “Do I Have A Case?” form.