Muddy Work Areas Fatality Report

Every year, thousands of injuries occur across the country as a result of unsafe working conditions. As a result, a number of these injuries generate personal injury lawsuits because company owners and managers fail to maintain a hazard-free working environment for employees.

Recently an employee of the Texas-based company Petrohawk Energy Corporation has filed a workplace injury lawsuit stemming from an on-site injury that caused him to undergo major lower-back surgery.

The lawsuit alleges that Petrohawk failed to properly prepare the site for drilling, and when the worker dismounted a forklift, his foot stuck in the mud, and he sustained a fall that caused serious back injury. He continued as directed by his supervisor, and attempted to pick up a tool that had fallen in the mud, but this action further aggravated the back injury. The worker claims that Petrohawk rushed through the site preparation to avoid additional costs and delays, and in doing so, left deep ruts in the ground surface that allowed water to accumulate and turn the dirt into thick mud.

The ground condition caused a substantial risk of harm to employees working on the site, and as a result, the owners of the company are liable for injuries caused.

The company has the responsibility of maintaining a safe work environment, as well as providing proper equipment and tools, and proper training to employees to prevent injuries.