The oil and gas industry in Texas is thriving. This is a good thing for the economy and local families who depend on the jobs. But we don’t have to tell you that oilfield work is difficult and dangerous. It involves a lot of heavy machinery, flammable chemicals, and moving vehicles. Accidents are frequent. When they do occur, they can be very serious. As a worker, you depend on your employer and other parties to help keep you safe. Unfortunately, you can’t trust oil companies to have your back. All too often, they put their bottom line above their employees. While they may say worker safety is their top priority, in reality, violations are common. This puts you and everyone on the oilfield at risk.
At the Waldman Legal Group, our oilfield accident lawyer understands the devastating impact that an oilfield injury can have on workers and their families. We know that you may be suffering from your injuries and worried about how you will pay your bills. And you may not know what steps to take next. Our Houston attorneys have a track record of fighting for hardworking families in Texas. We will research your claim and identify who is responsible. And we will dedicate ourselves to winning you justice. Call (713) 688-4878. Initial consultations are free, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
How Much Money Can an Oilfield Accident Lawyer Help Me Recover?
When it comes to oilfield accidents, no two are exactly the same. Any accident that happens on the oilfield falls under the umbrella of oilfield accident. This may be an accident with heavy machinery, being hit by a truck, exposure to dangerous chemicals, or any number of other possibilities. Types of injuries suffered on oilfields vary widely, too. Examples include severe back injury, burn injury, head injury, and more.
How much money we are able to recover for you depends on many factors. First of all, any personal injury claim requires that we prove your injuries were caused by negligence on the part of your employer (or other plaintiff). If negligence is proven, how much you receive will depend on the type of injuries, how serious they are, your salary before the accident, the cost of your recovery, and if and when you will be able to return to work.
We will not be able to tell you how much money your claim is worth until we sit down and discuss your accident with you and go over your bills, expenses, and other losses. That said, you can expect to receive compensation for:
- Lost wages due to your inability to work during recovery
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries are so bad you will be out of work permanently
- All medical bills, including hospital stays, medications, and medical devices
- Expected future medical bills and expenses
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Household help that you need due to your injuries
- Personal property loss or damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium.
How Will My Oilfield Accident Lawyers Determine Liability?
When you suffer an injury in the oilfield, the fallout can be awful for you and your entire family. You and your loved ones are probably confused, nervous about the future, and filled with questions. You may be wondering who is at fault for your injury.
Oilfields are complicated workplaces with many moving parts. There are almost always many companies and contractors working together. This means that liability when there is an accident is not always clear-cut. Depending on your accident, one or more parties may be legally responsible. Liable parties may include your employer, a contractor or a contractor’s employee working on the same job site, or the owner of the premises. In some cases, a manufacturer of defective equipment may be responsible.
At the Waldman Legal Group, we understand how oilfields work. Our experienced oilfield accident attorney in Houston will conduct thorough research and identify every party responsible for your injuries. Call us at (713) 688-4878.
If I’ve Been Injured on an Offshore Platform, Can an Oilfield Accident Lawyer Help?
Have you or your loved one been hurt while working on an offshore platform? Because of the dangerous work conditions and heavy equipment involved in the work, injuries on offshore platforms are common. Often these injuries are due to negligence on the part of the employer or a third party.
Figuring out which laws provide protection to injured offshore platform employees can sometimes be difficult. There are many factors that come into play. These include the location and type of the platform, whether it is permanent or moveable, and more.
Some offshore workers are protected by a federal law called the Jones Act. This is a special law designed to protect seamen who are hurt on the job due to the fault of their employer. Under the Jones Act, people who meet the legal definition of seamen are not eligible for workers’ compensation, but they may sue their employer for damages. The law also allows family members of seamen killed on the job to sue for lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.
Workers who do not qualify to sue under the Jones Act may be protected by other maritime laws.
If you’ve been hurt while working on an offshore drilling platform, you may not know what steps to take. The attorneys at the Waldman Legal Group are familiar with the Jones Act and other laws that may apply to your case. We can help you figure out the best way to proceed. There are specific time requirements that must be met when filing these types of claims. It’s important to call us as soon as possible after your work-related injury.
Why Do I Need an Oilfield Injury Lawyer in Houston?
If you’ve been hurt on an oilfield in Texas, the last thing on your mind may be calling an attorney. But it’s important for you to do so as soon as possible after your accident. Maybe you just want to focus on your recovery. Maybe you think you can get more money on your own. But if you face big oil and big insurance without an experienced Houston oilfield injury lawyer, you will probably end up leaving money on the table. Money that you need to pay your bills and move on with your life.
- After your injury, someone from your employer or their insurance company may give you an unsolicited cash offer. They aren’t trying to be nice. They are hoping you take this lowball offer rather than pursue legal action. A lawyer will advise you to turn it down and not speak with anyone on your own.
- An lawyer will conduct thorough research to determine who is at fault for your accident. It is not always obvious, and it is important to identify all negligent parties.
- A lawyer can calculate the full value of your losses related to your accident and make sure you aren’t shortchanged.
- An attorney will fight to get the full amount you deserve in any settlement.
- If your employer or the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement, a lawyer will help you take them to court.
- If you are injured on an offshore drilling platform, a lawyer will help you figure out which maritime laws may apply to your claim.
Can Your Lawyers Help if My Loved One Was Killed in an Oilfield Accident?
Due to the dangerous conditions, heavy equipment, and toxic chemicals that are involved in oilfield work, these injuries tend to be very serious. And, sadly, often they are deadly. When an oilfield worker is killed, the family’s world is turned upside down. As they grieve, they are also faced with life without their loved one’s support and income.
If you are a close relative of a worker killed on an oilfield, the oil rig lawyers at the Waldman Legal Group can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties that contributed to your loved one’s death. Not just anyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit. You must be a close relative of the deceased — a spouse, parent, or child. Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives are not eligible. Generally, wrongful death lawsuits in Texas have a two-year statute of limitations. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years of your relative’s death. ***Please note: Always speak directly to an attorney to understand the exact deadline(s) that apply to your claim(s).*** In general, you can receive the following damages in a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Pre-death medical expenses due to the accident
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost earning capacity, or the money your loved one would have earned and used to support the family
- Lost care, support, counsel, and maintenance the deceased would have provided the family
- Lost love and companionship
- Lost inheritance, or what the deceased likely would have saved over a normal lifetime and left to the family.
If your loved one was a seaman as defined by the Jones Act, you may be eligible for compensation under that law.
Call the Waldman Legal Group for a Free Consultation
You may think that due to the nature of oilfield work, getting hurt is just part of the job. It is true that there are elements that make it more dangerous than going to an office every day. You have heavy machinery, chemicals, vehicles constantly in motion, plus the potential for slip and falls and other work injuries.
But employers and contractors have an obligation to follow the law when it comes to safety, and all too often they cut corners, putting their workers in danger. Oil companies that fail to protect their employees must be held accountable.
If you have suffered an oil field injury or you have lost a loved one as a result of a serious accident out on a drilling site, it is important that you contact an experienced oil rig lawyer who can advise you of your rights, answer your questions, and help you consider the best options in your case. The lawyers at the Waldman Legal Group are experienced with oilfield cases and are committed to winning justice for their clients. To speak with our lawyers in Houston, call our office at (713) 688-4878. Consultations are free, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
