Brain Injuries Linked to Oilfield Blast Pressure Waves

Oilfield work is inherently dangerous. Oilfields have elevated platforms and heavy machinery, as well as flammable substances and high-pressure systems on-site. All of these create a number of safety risks. One of the most catastrophic types of injuries sustained on oilfields is traumatic brain injury (TBIs). Workers who sustain these types of injuries may face long-term consequences, including cognitive, physical, and emotional issues that impact every aspect of their lives.

Our Oklahoma traumatic brain injury lawyers know the high risks associated with oilfield work and the difficulties encountered by workers. Below, we discuss the main causes of TBIs in the fields and why they are difficult to diagnose.

How do blast pressure waves travel?

Oilfield explosions, such as those on oil rigs and at refineries, create powerful and destructive pressure waves that are often referred to as blast waves. The intensity of an explosion will determine the speed of the blast wave produced – high-energy explosions generate an initial shock wave that can travel faster than the speed of sound. Pressure waves start at the source of the explosion and then travel outward in all directions, decreasing in intensity as they move further from the source.

Blast waves can also reflect off hard surfaces such as rig walls and storage tanks. In reflected areas, the pressure is typically much greater than in other areas. If an explosion occurs inside a confined space, such as in a building, the blast can reflect off multiple surfaces, greatly increasing its destructive impact.

How oilfield explosions cause TBIs

Oilfield explosions can propel debris through the area. Workers can sustain a TBI if they are struck by the debris created by the blast. However, there are other factors that cause these types of injuries.

Because the initial blast wave travels faster than sound, the resulting rapid pressure changes can disrupt brain function and lead to injury. The force of an explosion can also throw workers and cause them to collide with the ground, surfaces, or solid objects.

Lastly, it is not uncommon for workers to inhale toxic gas and suffer severe burns. The smoke and toxic gas can deprive the brain of oxygen, resulting in a severe brain injury.

Types of delayed or hidden TBIs caused by oilfield explosions

TBIs often do not show symptoms right away. Delayed symptoms may not appear for several hours, or even days, after an oilfield worker sustains the injury. These injuries are also known as ‘hidden’ injuries because they are not as visible as other types of injuries, such as broken bones. The most common types of delayed or hidden TBIs after oilfield explosions are as follows:

• Concussions: Dizziness, mild headaches, and subtle confusion are some of the most common delayed symptoms associated with concussions.
• Diffuse axonal injuries: Diffuse axonal injuries are caused by accelerating and decelerating forces of oilfield explosions. These injuries are often not detected by initial CT scans.
• Coup-contrecoup injuries: Coup-contrecoup injuries occur when the brain is first injured after an impact. The brain then hits the other side of the skull, resulting in another injury at the opposite side of the impact.
• Contusions: Contusions refer to bruising on the brain, and they can take time before noticeable symptoms are detectable.
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative brain condition associated with repeated head trauma.
• Second impact syndrome: Second impact syndrome refers to a condition that develops when someone sustains a second brain injury before another one has healed. This can cause severe and rapid deterioration in a person’s health.

There are many reasons TBIs are not immediately detected in an oilfield. After an accident, there is often an adrenaline surge in the body, which can mask confusion and pain and cause oilfield workers to think they were not injured. Many TBIs sustained in oilfields also do not involve direct impact with the head. This can also lead oilfield workers to believe they are not hurt.

Lastly, standard CT scans and MRIs may not detect mild TBIs, particularly in the early stages. This is because the damage is microscopic, and these tests are designed to detect issues on a larger scale. Additionally, these scans indicate how the brain looks, and not how it functions. A brain may appear intact while there is a serious disruption at the functional level. Some injuries, such as a diffuse axonal injury, may also not show physical signs right away.

Why TBI symptoms are often overlooked in oilfields and industrial settings

There are many reasons TBI symptoms often go undetected on oilfields and in industrial settings. The first of these is that because the symptoms are often delayed, workers may not realize they have been injured. The impairment may also prevent workers from recognizing changes in their own cognitive functions. When an oilfield worker continues working after suffering a TBI, it can make the injury worse or result in a secondary injury.

Many oilfield environments also focus on immediate safety, causing people to miss the long-term damage of TBIs that may be more subtle. The culture of industrial settings also often minimizes injuries that seem minor in order to avoid delays in performance or production. Modified duties are often not available on oilfields, but workers often feel pressure to return to work as soon as possible.

How do TBIs caused by oilfield explosions impact long-term health?

Like other injuries, TBIs can cause serious issues for oilfield workers in the short term. There are also long-term impacts on workers’ health that can impact them for years to come. The long-term health impacts of TBIs caused by oilfield explosions include:

• Cognitive issues: Problems concentrating, remembering details, and completing daily tasks can make it difficult for oilfield workers to manage their daily lives.
• Neurodegenerative risks: Moderate to severe TBIs greatly increase the risk of an oilfield worker developing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases, even years after sustaining the initial injury.
• Physical limitations: Chronic issues such as dizziness, headaches, seizures, and sensory issues can impact oilfield workers over the long term.
• Mental health issues: Mental health issues such as long-term anxiety, depression, irritability, and personality changes are not uncommon after a TBI.
• Chronic brain injuries: A TBI can evolve into a lifelong condition that affects other organs. In these cases, long-term management is often necessary.

Our traumatic brain injury lawyers in Oklahoma provide sound legal advice

When negligence or unsafe conditions in an oilfield lead to a preventable accident, our Oklahoma traumatic brain injury lawyers at Biby Law Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. We will meet with you to discuss your case, help you understand your best course of action, and ensure your rights are protected. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.