Oilfield Accident Lawyers El Paso, TX

It is no secret that oil and gas are Texas’ biggest industries, yet these worksites can be treacherous for oilfield workers. A single accident can lead to profound implications for workers and their families, sometimes even permanently affecting the rest of their lives. Severe injuries, extensive medical care, and expensive treatments can leave workers stumbling under a heavy financial burden.

At Farah Law, a compassionate oilfield accident lawyer can stand by you and help you get the care and compensation you need when you are facing severe injuries and expensive medical bills. Our law firm has over three decades of success handling injury cases in Texas and getting justice for our clients. We are committed to you and will not leave you to face this difficult time on your own, starting with a free consultation about your options for compensation.

Understanding Oilfield Accident Injuries and Duty of Care

In a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oil and gas extraction accounts for more than 100 severe injuries annually. Hospitalizations and amputations were two of the most common injuries seen in oilfield accidents. Texas holds the record for the most severe injuries in the oil and gas industry, which represents 54% of total incidents.

An oilfield accident can even lead to catastrophic injury or fatalities. Some of the most common injuries and health hazards sustained by oilfield workers in Texas include:

• Burns
• Electrocution
• Fume inhalation
• Chemical exposure
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of limb and/or amputations
• Exposure to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)
• Hearing loss
• Physical complications from extreme temperatures
• Wrongful death

Common Causes of Texas Oilfield Accidents

There are many factors that can contribute to an oil rig accident and personal injury, including:

• Equipment malfunctions
• Inadequate training
• Inadequate operations and safety training
• Failure to perform regular maintenance checks
• Moving heavy piping
• Rig collapse
• Fire and explosion
• Hazardous chemical exposure

Regardless of the cause, Texas oilfield accidents trigger a chain reaction of events that lead to personal injury for one or many. Given the hazardous compounds, flammability, and toxicity of the chemicals used, a single mishap can quickly escalate into a full-blown disaster. A skilled oilfield accident lawyer will investigate all aspects of the injury to determine what happened, how it happened, and who is at fault.

Types of Oilfield Accidents

Oilfields are a dangerous and high-risk line of work that can have serious consequences if something goes wrong. Given the sheer operational size of oilfield work, accidents can vary significantly and take many different forms. Some of the most common oil and gas extraction hazards include:

• Truck and vehicle collisions
• Fires and explosions
• Falls
• Confined spaces
• Ergonomic injuries
• Pressurized equipment
• Electrocution
• Machinery and equipment accidents
• Poor planning or prevention measures
• Well blowouts
• Fracking accidents

Each type of oilfield accident can have serious ramifications and lead to a variety of injuries given the range of accident types and their potential for severe injury and fatality. Proper care should be taken to follow industry regulations, ensure working equipment, and prevent harm. If any of these precautions become lax, it can lead to severe injuries that are detrimental to the health and future well-being of workers, and can result in lawsuits for oil and gas companies.

When you have suffered an oilfield injury, whether from routine work or blowouts, you could face a long, slow road to recovery or could be left with medical conditions that impact your ability to work. It is essential to receive medical treatment for any injuries sustained in the oilfield, as they can be life-threatening. You should also document and keep records of all injuries, treatments, and medical expenses to use when seeking compensation from your insurance company or filing a lawsuit.

Building Your Personal Injury Claim After an Oilfield Accident

If you are an oilfield worker who has suffered injuries out in the field or on an offshore oil rig because of poor safety measures or negligence, you may have the grounds to file a personal injury claim. You should first consult with personal injury attorneys with experience in oil and gas extraction accidents to determine your options and rights. They will also be able to assist with strategizing and investigating the evidence to build you a strong case that will get you maximum results.

After an oilfield accident, you may begin by filing an insurance claim to get compensation to cover your medical expenses. However, it may not be sufficient due to the extent of your injuries, or because the insurance company is offering a low settlement or trying to avoid paying. Hiring personal injury lawyers to represent you and force the insurance companies to pay can be more effective and faster.

A lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit against the oil company or individual responsible for causing your injuries, especially in cases where multiple parties are at fault. Oil companies and gas companies are required to follow safety regulations and ensure occupational safety for all workers. When they fail to do so and cause accidents due to their negligence, they may be held liable for damages to the injured worker.

Establishing Negligence Is Crucial to Your Claim’s Success

Because oilfield accidents are a type of personal injury case, your attorney must establish negligence as part of any claim for compensation. Demonstrating negligence requires showing the employer had a responsibility to keep workers safe, and the liable party failed in that responsibility. By not taking the proper precautions to prevent harm, they contributed to or caused the worker’s injuries and related monetary and subjective losses. Making this direct connection to your injuries is the cornerstone of your personal injury claim.

Additionally, if more than one party is responsible for the events, the court assigns each one a percentage of fault, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. Texas’ modified comparative negligence approach also allows the plaintiff to claim damages even if they are partially at fault, as long as they are not 51% or more responsible. The amount of fault they carry will reduce their settlement or jury award accordingly, so 20% fault results in a 20% reduction in compensation.

Types of Compensation Injured Oilfield Workers Can Recover

An oilfield accident can lead to immense financial pressure and hardship for injured workers and their families. With the prolonged care often needed for these types of injuries and the exorbitant costs of necessary treatments, determining how to pay for these expenses can be overwhelming. However, with the strength of a legal team behind you, you can ensure your rights are protected, and you can get the compensation you need to heal and recover

When you are seeking to recover your losses after an oilfield accident, there are three types of damages that you may be able to recover:

• Economic Damages: Compensation for your financial losses that can cover your current and future medical bills, lost income from being unable to work, medications, and disability benefits.
• Non-economic Damages: Compensation to cover the emotional, mental, and lifestyle effects of this traumatic event, and the pain and suffering you have experienced as a result.
• Punitive Damages: Additional compensation for certain extreme injuries and outcomes caused by another party’s egregious actions. This type of compensation is used sparingly.

Talk with your lawyer about the details of the accident and your injuries to best determine your options and how much compensation you may need to ensure you get proper care and treatment as you heal. They will be able to advise you on who is liable for your damages, and can negotiate on your behalf to secure the maximum compensation.

Statute of Limitations in an Oilfield Accident

The statute of limitations on filing a claim is two years from the date of injury, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16. After such time, you may be barred from making a claim to seek compensation for the injuries you sustained. However, it is strongly recommended to file a claim as soon after the accident as possible. This allows you to have a stronger case with fresh evidence and ensures you do not miss your window of time to file a claim.

Contact the Injury Attorneys at Farah Law for a Free Consultation

At Farah Law, we understand that working in the oilfield comes with a unique set of risks and perils and that legal assistance for accidents in this industry requires a custom approach. If you or a loved one have suffered serious or even catastrophic injuries, you need a seasoned law firm capable of handling the complexities of an oilfield accident.

At Farah Law, our team of oilfield injury lawyers advocate and fight for you until you receive a fair settlement for your injuries. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation and let us help you take back control of your life.