Fort Worth Pipeline Accidents Lawyers
Persuasive advocacy for Texas pipeline accident victims and families
Texas is the leading producer of oil in the nation. So, it’s logical that they would also have the biggest pipeline network. Pipelines carry oil and gas across Texas and to the rest of the United States. The benefits of this movement of oil come with a dangerous risk. Pipeline explosions and accidents can and do happen in Fort Worth and beyond. When accidents happen, they are often catastrophic or fatal.
At Slack Davis Sanger, our pipeline accident lawyers work with industry professionals to examine why pipeline accidents happen and who is responsible. We understand the federal and state regulations that govern the monitoring, inspection, transport, and use of pipelines. Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers fight to obtain all the compensation victims and families deserve when injuries occur or loved ones die. Our team has a strong record of verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases across Texas.
What are the different types of oil and gas pipelines in Texas?
At Slack Davis Sanger, we understand the science and business of pipelines. We also understand the agencies and laws that govern pipeline construction, use, and maintenance including the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
According to EnerPac, the different kinds of pipelines include:
- Gathering pipelines. These are the lines that deliver crude oil, natural gas, ethane, propane, and butane from oil field sources to storage tanks and processing plants.
- Transmission pipelines. Transmission pipelines move energy products worldwide. Some of the reasons transmission lines cause injuries include defective welding, material failures, corrosion, and pipe seam failures.
- Distribution pipelines. Distribution pipelines deliver natural gas to businesses and homes. There are different classes of distribution pipelines that have different sizes and pressures:
- Main pipelines are generally small to medium in size. The pressure in main pipelines varies.
- Service pipelines are very narrow and the pressure is generally lower than main pipelines.
- These pipelines move the energy products from the wellhead to the gathering lines. They are dangerous because they can leak methane. The Environmental Protection Agency governs flowline emissions.
- Feeder pipelines. Feeder pipelines transport energy from processing facilities and storage tanks to the long-distance transmission pipelines.
When energy products ignite, the fires and explosions can last for hours.
A few common pipeline questions, according to the Fort Worth Texas government website, are:
- What Texas entities can operate Texas gas pipelines? Common carriers, gas utilities, gas corporations.
- What is a common carrier? A pipeline that transports gas for hire.
- What is a gas utility? “An entity engaged in the business of transporting gas for public consumption.”
- What is a gas corporation? “A gas corporation includes partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations, and limited liability corporations that operate gas pipelines.”
Pipeline operation requires the approval of the Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Pipeline Association identifies the current statewide members.
Why do Fort Worth pipeline accidents happen?
Our Fort Worth trial lawyers file different types of claims after a pipeline accident, including product liability claims, negligence claims, and wrongful death claims. Some of the main causes of pipeline accidents in Texas, according to PHMSA, are:
- Corrosion, internal corrosion, external corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, selective steam corrosion.
- Damage due to natural forces, excavation, and other outside forces.
- Equipment failure.
- Weld and material failure.
- Faulty operation.
There may be other causes, depending on how the accident happened.
What types of pipeline accident injuries does your firm handle?
Workers and anyone near a pipeline can suffer devastating injuries in the event of an accident. In addition to being directly harmed by explosions and fires, exposure to dangerous toxins can be quite harmful. Common pipeline injuries include:
|
|
Our Fort Worth pipeline accident lawyers also file wrongful death claims when accidents take the life of a loved one.
What is the value of my Fort Worth pipeline accident case?
At Slack Davis Sanger, our worksite injury lawyers have obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for a variety of clients. We obtain strong results after liability is established because we pay attention to all the small daily details that affect every part of your life. We demand compensation for the following damages:
All your current and future medical bills. These expenses include ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy, vocational therapy, psychological therapy, other types of rehabilitative care, assistive devices, and medications.
All your lost income and benefits. This includes your financial losses from the date of the accident through the verdict/settlement and your future economic losses due to a partial or full disability.
Your pain and suffering. This amount includes your daily aches, pains, itches, frustrations, worries, and anxieties.
Scarring and disfigurement. Victims who have scarring or disfigurement can claim compensation for the cost of care, plastic surgery, and psychological counseling
Other damages include compensation for loss of consortium (how your injuries affect your marriage), loss of function, and loss of life’s pleasures. We may also demand punitive damage if the defendant’s negligence was inexcusable.
We filed wrongful death claims if a spouse, child, or parent died in a Fort Worth pipeline accident.
Who is responsible for my Fort Worth pipeline accident and injuries?
Depending on how the accident happened, the defendants may include:
- The pipeline company – such as a common carrier, gas utility, or gas corporation
- The manufacturer of the pipeline
- An employer
- Third-party contractors
- Other defendants
Our skilled personal injury lawyers have more than 30 years of experience successfully fighting the big defense firms that insurance companies hire.
Do you have a pipeline accident lawyer near me?
Slack Davis Sanger meets Fort Worth clients are our office located at 100 Lexington Street, Suite 70. We also have offices in Austin and Dallas.
Get the help you need. Talk with an experienced Fort Worth pipeline accident lawyer today
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth pipeline accident lawyers calmly and clearly answer all your questions. We work quickly to investigate how your accident happened. Often, pipeline accidents involve multiple victims. Our lawyers step-by-step prepare your case for trial. Many personal injury cases do settle. To learn more about your rights when pipeline accidents cause injuries or fatalities, call our Fort Worth trial lawyers at 800-455-8686 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Fort Worth Office
100 Lexington Street
Suite 70
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Main Fort Worth Practice Areas