Artesia, NM — Three workers were injured when a water line exploded at an industrial site in Artesia, New Mexico, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. The accident happened at a site which is owned by Mewbourne Oil Company.
The three workers who were injured were clearing a water line and that clogged. Officials say that the injuries they suffered appear to be minor. One of the workers was hit in the head by a piece of debris and was bleeding when emergency workers arrived on the scene. The other two men were found with scratches on their faces.
All three were taken to Artesia General Hospital. Officials later said that two of the men would be taken to different locations to continue their treatment.
What caused the water line to blow is unknown at this time. Local authorities are investigating. It’s unknown if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified of the accident.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Anyone who owns and maintains a property has a responsibility to make sure that it’s safe for anyone who may be visiting. Mewbourne Oil owns the site where this accident happened, and three men who were injured had been contracted to do work there. If it’s found that Mewbourne didn’t live up to their responsibility and didn’t provide those men with a safe environment to work in, they could be held liable for the accident. And keep in mind that this is completely separate from the workers comp benefits they’re eligible for. Of course, there are several other things which could have caused this accident and could affect who’s ultimately responsible. But I think it’s good for those involved in accidents like this to understand the duty owed them.
— Grossman Law Offices
