A Life Changing Oil and Gas Injury

As a former linebacker for the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Travis B. is over 6 feet tall and weighs in at 245 pounds.  His large frame was a plus as he worked in the oil industry after graduation.  Travis worked in production and would regularly go out into the field, to oil wells and rigs,  to check flow rates throughout South Louisiana.  It was demanding work, requiring him to climb onto well structures.

Then one day in 2015, Travis suffered an injury that would change his life forever. “I was checking some wells that were on some pylons. I checked the flow rate on the well and I stepped back onto a metal grating,” he recalls. That’s when the accident happened – the metal grating was so corroded, rusted and rotting, it completely gave way.

Travis fell back 6 feet, seriously injury his back.   He suffered  two herniated disks, and a third bulging disc.  He was forced to undergo surgery. Although the accident was 3 years ago, the pain lingers today and he has had to quit his job working in the oil sector.  “My back always hurts. I can’t go back to my old job because I would never pass the fitness test,” he says. “I can’t lift anything over 40-50 pounds, can’t climb a lot of stairs or do any of the physical requirements of that kind of job.”

At the time, Travis was in his early 30s and was having to contemplate leading a different life than he had ever imagined.  He hired Joseph “Buzzy” Joy to help him recover damages as he recovered from his near debilitating injury.

As he does for all his personal injury clients, Attorney Joseph”Buzzy” Joy did a complete legal analysis of the facts and law, tapping into the full resources of  the law firm Joseph Joy & Associates in Lafayette.  “This was a clear-cut case of negligence on the part of the well owner and operator that resulted in a significant injury for Travis,” recalls Attorney Joseph “Buzzy” Joy.  “His life was changed forever due to the failure to properly maintain the metal grating that gave way on the oil well structure.  He deserved compensation and we got it for him.”

Attorney Joseph Joy & Associates negotiated a settlement of half a million dollars.

“Joseph Joy did a great job for me,” Travis says. “He was very stern and professional from a lawyer’s point of view. He kept me in the loop during the entire ordeal. He always involved me in the decision process. And I think with his expertise, he gave me the best advice when it came to settling my case.”

At Joseph Joy and Associates, our personal injury attorneys have helped clients and their families recover significant damages due to someone else’s negligence. If you have the unfortunate experience of being seriously injured in an oil field accident, give us a call: 337-232-8123 or visit us at 900 S. College Rd., Ste. 204, Lafayette, LA.