The Demolition of Workers’ Comp

Michael Grabell, ProPublica, and Howard Berkes, NPR
Pro Publica
March 05, 2015

It was getting late that September afternoon in 2012. Whedbee, a 50-year-old derrickhand, was helping another worker remove a pipe fitting on top of the well when it suddenly blew.

Oil and sludge pressurized at more than 700 pounds per square inch tore into Whedbee’s body, ripping his left arm off just below the elbow. Coworkers jerry-rigged a tourniquet from a sweatshirt and a ratchet strap to stanch his bleeding and got his wife on the phone.

Click here to read more.

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

Local 135 President Dustin Roach Joins O’Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United Slate

Local 135 President Dustin Roach announced he will be joining the 2026 O’Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United Slate as a candidate for Central Region Vice President.

Changes at the Teamsters General Executive Board

Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 in Southern California, was sworn in as the new International Western Region Vice President at the IBT General Executive Board meeting on March 18.

View More News Posts