Injured in an Oilfield Accident in Texas, New Mexico, or Louisiana?

If you or a loved one has been injured in an oilfield accident in Texas, New Mexico, or Louisiana you may be wondering what you should do next. If so, our experienced oilfield injury lawyers are ready to assist. We have experience helping a wide variety of injured oilfield workers who were injured on the job due to inadequate training, safety, or other negligent behavior.

Should I Discuss My Case with an Oilfield Injury Lawyer?

The oilfield is comprised of many different kinds of skilled workers who perform the necessary tasks for the production of oil. A few examples are:

• Laborers
• Well testers
• Rig managers
• Truckers
• Independent contractors
• Foreman/supervisors
• Roughnecks

Often times an injured worker asks himself if he should discuss his accident and injuries with an oilfield injury lawyer. Sometimes this is due to the fact that his employer has or may have Workers’ Compensation. Another reason could be that you do not feel comfortable taking legal action against your employer. The reality is that oilfield workers are placed in extreme conditions that lead to accidents that should have been avoided altogether. As a worker, you should never feel threatened to discuss any potential cause of action against an employer. Similarly, you should never assume that there is no viable claim against another potential party just because your employer had Workers’ Compensation at the time of the accident.

The law provides many different avenues that can protect an injured laborer. No matter your position of employment, you may have legal rights that should be considered when involved in an oilfield accident.

Common Causes of Accidents and Explosions that occur in the Oilfield

The four elements of negligence are: (1) Duty; (2) Breach; (3) Causation; and (4) Damages. Elements 1, 2, and 4 are generally easier to prove than 3, causation. Below is a list of some of the common causes of accidents that occur to workers who are injured in the oilfield:

• Negligence and gross negligence
• Failure to implement or follow safety procedures and OSHA policies
• Failure to follow industry standards and regulations
• Lack of training of employees
• Lack of supervision of employees and other risks
• Lack of information given to employees
• Lack of experience of employees
• Lack of communication amongst other contractors working the same job
• Defective equipment and machinery
• Accidents on the road due to a tight schedule or overworked employees
• Heavy duty equipment that is not fit to be used or in need of repair
• Objects that fall from overhead
• Being rushed due to unreasonable deadlines

Unfortunately, many of the accidents involving ourselves or our loved ones are very serious in nature, if not fatal. More often than not the underlying cause of the accident has little to do with the actions of the person who was injured, and everything to do with the company or companies that are involved in the overall operation. Time and time again, profits get put above safety just so a company can save money—this isn’t fair to the employees or their families.

Watch Out for Quick Settlement Offers from the Insurance Company

History shows that when an oilfield worker is injured on the job the employer and/or their insurance company will make its best effort at getting the injured person to accept a nominal amount of money and sign a release that in effect will bar any future claims by the injured worker (and potentially its family members). These deceiving efforts by employers and/or their insurance companies completely compromise the legal rights that you or a loved one are entitled to explore when involved in a serious oilfield accident. More often than not, acquiescing to the insurance company by signing their paperwork (which often times is never explained) can result in a release of your right to pursue any further claims for your injuries.

Our experienced oilfield injury lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard LLP who can help you seek maximum compensation for your loss. To discuss your case where you or a loved one was injured in an oilfield accident, call 800-489-2216 or contact us online today.