Rig Worker Awarded Compensation for Crush Injury at Work

A rig worker from Louisiana, who suffered permanent debilitating injuries when he was crushed between a drill pipe and the derrick leg of the gas rig he was working on, has been awarded 4.1 million dollars in compensation for crush injury at work by a federal jury in Colorado.

Von Phathong (42) was employed by Houston-based Tesco Corp (US) as a “roughneck” (labourer) on a drilling rig located in Rifle, Colorado, when the accident occurred in December 2005. As he was assisting with the change of heavyweight drilling pipe, the unsecured lower drill pipe swung into Von and crushed him against the rig´s derrick leg.

Von suffered several spinal fractures and herniated cervical discs and will never be able to work again because of the pain he experiences whenever he moves. After being released from hospital, Von sought legal advice about claiming compensation for a crush injury at work and, as Tesco Corp (US) denied their liability for Von´s injuries, the case was heard before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

In court, Von´s solicitors showed evidence that the “crossover sub” which was being used to connect the two drilling pipes had the incorrect thread and the supervisor on the rig had tried to use a powerful top-drive to force the thread of the crossover sub and the drill pipe together. It was also shown that the drill pipe which caused Von´s injuries should have been secured before the operation was started.

Further evidence at trial established that Tesco Corp´s health and safety was the worst ever seen by a drilling expert brought in to support Von´s claim for crush injury at work compensation and that the site worked on a culture of “intimidation and fear”. The jury at the United States District Court for the District of Colorado found Tesco Corp (US) 90 percent liable for Von´s injuries and awarded him 4.1 million dollars in compensation for a crush injury at work