Oil field explosions and plant failures are among the most devastating workplace incidents in Oklahoma. These events often leave workers with life changing injuries and families with long term financial and emotional harm. At Brewster & De Angelis, our work on oilfield and industrial accident cases has revealed clear, consistent patterns about why these disasters occur and how they can be prevented.
Below, attorney Monty Lair answers key questions about the root causes of workplace accidents, the gaps between written safety protocols and real world practice, and why early legal representation is critical.
When you take on a case involving an oil field explosion or plant failure, what patterns do you see emerge in how the incident occurred?
These types of catastrophic events happen only after there has been a series of safety failures. The last causal act before a catastrophic event is almost never the first causal act. A root cause analysis typically shows that the first failures usually begin with the planning and preparation phases of an operation.
Many companies have safety manuals, training programs, and protocols in place. What discovery steps or evidence help you uncover the gap between written protocol and real-world practice?
There is a difference in successfully completing an operation and completing an operation safely. In my experience, companies often have extensive safety procedures that, while they will reduce the dangers, can delay completion or make an operation more expensive. Therefore, operations management will bypass safety procedures. When such operations are completed without incident, management is lulled into a false sense of security, leading them to dismiss essential safety processes until the luck runs out and a catastrophic event occurs.
What are some of the most preventable mistakes you see companies make that end up costing workers their health or their lives?
I have yet to encounter an explosion or fire in a plant or oil field setting that was not preventable through proper planning and preparation. When speed and cost take priority, safety is frequently sacrificed, creating conditions that are ripe for disaster.
What do you wish industry leaders, regulators, or the general public understood about the cost of cutting corners in dangerous work environments?
When safety is sacrificed, disaster is not a possibility. It is an inevitability. The devastation it brings to injured workers and their families lasts lifetimes. Too often this simple truth is ignored until it affects a friend or family member.
How do you help juries or adjusters grasp the full impact of an injury that extends beyond physical harm?
Companies make a promise to the families of the men and women who work for them and leave their homes every day to work in a difficult and dangerous industry. They promise that procedures will be in place to protect these men and women so they can return safely to their families and participate in the American dream.
When companies fail to fulfill this promise, I help a jury understand the cost of breaking it. I explain how pain, fatigue, cognitive changes, limitations, and emotional stress ripple into work, family life, sleep, hobbies, social connection, and overall life satisfaction. These details help juries and adjusters grasp the genuine and lasting harm.
You have handled many high stakes workplace cases over the years. What continues to drive you to represent injured workers and their families in such challenging and technical cases?
These cases are often complex and involve multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. They also involve some of the largest and most sophisticated corporations in the world. I enjoy the challenge of breaking down technical failures in a way that judges and juries can understand, but I am driven by a desire to represent these workers and their families. They deserve someone who will not be intimidated by technical issues or corporate lawyers. A courtroom is one of the few places where an injured worker has a voice equal to a corporation. Being their advocate, helping them be heard, and making sure the truth comes out is what keeps me doing this work.
Why is it important for injured workers to have legal representation early rather than trying to navigate the system on their own?
A workplace injury can shatter a person’s life and upend their family’s future. Facing medical bills, insurance claims, and navigating a daunting and complex legal system alone is overwhelming. Early legal support provides guidance and peace of mind. It allows families to focus on recovery while ensuring their rights are fully protected.
To learn more about how our firm supports injured workers and families after a workplace accident, visit our Tulsa Personal Injury page.
