Wrongful Death report and gavel in a court.
A late January gas explosion at a Chesapeake Energy oil well in Burleson County claimed the lives of three workers and left a fourth severely injured, according to multiple reports. The four workers, all contractors, were working to replace drilling hardware on a well located near the small town of Deanville, about 30 miles southwest of Bryan.
The blast killed 38-year-old Wendell Beddingfield of Tyler at the scene; 25-year-old Brian Maldonado of San Diego, Texas, was flown by helicopter to a hospital at the University of Texas, where he died three days later. As of this writing, the identities of the third deceased worker and the injured worker have not yet been released.
According to the Houston Chronicle, investigators believe an unexpectedly large amount of natural gas filled the well and ignited. The ultimate cause of the blast has not yet been determined.
Beddingfield’s mother filed an action for a restraining order and injunction against Chesapeake Energy, hoping to preserve evidence by preventing the company from going in and cleaning up the site before a full investigation takes place, according to Bryan-area TV station KBTX.
Officials from Chesapeake Energy say they are cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the deadly explosion.
Oil field work will always have elements of danger, but workers are entitled to an environment that is as safe as reasonably possible. At Ted B. Lyon & Associates, we are proud to represent injured oil field workers and families of those who have lost loved ones in oil rig explosions and other accidents.
If you or a loved one are victims of an oil rig explosion, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It’s important to seek the help of a professional attorney who can determine the next best steps for your case.
We have the skill and resources required to take on today’s powerful oil and gas companies. Based in Dallas, we handle oil field accidents throughout Texas. Injured workers can reach us by calling 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or by contacting us online to arrange a free attorney consultation.
