 Choosing the Right Oilfield Accident Lawyer for Your Case
United Kingdom’s Law on Oil and Gas Continental Shelf: Current Methods and New Developments.
Accidents, Lawsuits, and Compensation for Oilfield Injuries
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in an oilfield accident, it is highly likely that you are currently facing a significant injury. In such circumstances, it is crucial for you to engage the services of a personal injury lawyer who possesses extensive experience within the oil and gas industry. By doing so, you can benefit from the expertise of a law firm that has a proven track record of effectively advocating for the rights of injured workers throughout the United States.
It is important to recognize that the actions of careless and reckless coworkers, as well as employers, can result in devastating injuries for oil field workers.
Oilfield Injury Claims Across the U.S.
Although Denizan Law Firm maintains specific office locations, our services are not limited to the surrounding areas. We handle cases throughout the entire country, including the following regions:
Permian Basin, TX/NM:
Encompassing West Texas and parts of New Mexico, the Permian Basin is responsible for producing half of the nation’s oil. This area is not only home to many individuals, but it is also their source of livelihood. Employees in the neighboring oilfields rely on a safe work environment free from negligence.
Eagle Ford Shale, TX:
Spanning 400 miles across Southern Texas and measuring 50 miles in width, the Eagle Ford Shale is rich in oil and natural gas deposits. The extraction of these valuable resources significantly benefits the local economy and, by extension, the entire nation. However, when the pursuit of economic potential disregards workplace safety, individuals suffer injuries.
Bakken, ND/MN:
While Texas may be synonymous with oil production, the Bakken Shale is estimated to hold between 1.3 and 7.4 billion barrels of undiscovered oil. Stretching across areas in North Dakota, Montana, and even extending to Canada, the Bakken Shale stands as one of the largest shale plays in the United States. Given its immense value and scale, there is a pressing need for enhanced workplace safety.
These examples represent only a fraction of the numerous regions we serve nationwide. From Southern Texas to North Dakota and throughout the entire United States, Denizan Law Firm is dedicated to helping you pursue maximum compensation for your damages.
Oilfield Accidents in Midland, Odessa, TX, Hobbs, NM, and the Permian Basin have witnessed a significant surge in oil and gas production over the last eight years, with production in the area quadrupling since August 2011. At its peak, the Permian Basin was responsible for producing 4 million barrels of oil and gas per day, solidifying its position as the leading producer in the United States.
The extensive exploration, extraction, and production activities taking place in the Permian Basin not only impact the local residents in southwest Texas and southeast New Mexico but also have nationwide repercussions. Oilfield workers face daily risks of dangerous and hazardous working conditions, leading to potentially devastating accidents. The roads within the region pose a significant danger, not only to workers but also to personal motorists. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation reported that 11% of all traffic fatalities in 2017 occurred in the Permian Basin. Furthermore, there were 1,457 recorded cases of serious injuries in the area during that same year.
Although each oilfield accident may vary in nature, several similarities emerge in these cases, particularly when it comes to oil and gas companies denying liability and insurers attempting to minimize claim payouts. By engaging the services of an experienced oilfield injury lawyer, you will have someone who can thoroughly assess your circumstances and provide guidance regarding your rights. Depending on your specific situation, you may be eligible to make a workers’ compensation claim, which could provide you with medical and income benefits. Additionally, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against a third party, potentially enabling you to secure additional compensation.
Oilfield Injuries & Safety Regulations
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees the enforcement of health and safety standards in workplaces throughout the nation. Workers and employees in the oil and gas industry are subject to numerous OSHA safety requirements, which must be strictly followed. Failure to comply not only constitutes a legal violation, but it also heightens the likelihood of workplace accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
The specific OSHA safety regulations applicable to this industry and its various operations include:
– Mandated minimum training requirements
– Provision of immediate worker supervision
– Rig floor supervision to ensure safety protocols
– Continuous well control measures
– Adherence to minimum equipment and machinery standards
– Obligation to clean and maintain equipment
– Installation and testing of blowout prevention equipment
– Proper labeling of hazardous substances
– Mandatory use of hard hats, eye protection, and safety-toe footwear
– Prohibition of loose or flammable clothing, snaggable jewelry, and loose hair
– Compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, including hearing and respiratory protection
– Provision of fall protection gear when working at heights of 10 feet or more
– Adherence to designated minimum distance requirements for vehicles
– Presence of a CPR-trained individual and provision of first aid kits at worksites
– Placement of emergency eye and body wash stations
– Immediate reporting and treatment of accidents and injuries
– Conducting thorough accident investigations
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Denizan Law Firm has the expertise to provide legal representation to oil and gas workers throughout the United States who have sustained injuries in a range of incidents, including:
– Accidents involving oil trucks
– Other transportation-related accidents
– Explosions in oil fields
– Fires in oil fields
– Fires in oil wells
– Blowouts in oil wells
– Accidents at oil refineries
– Accidents at gas refineries
– Drilling accidents
– Fracking accidents
– Malfunctions of machinery and equipment
– Failures of machinery and equipment
– Failures of personal protective equipment
– Incidents of poisoning
– Exposure to hazardous materials
– Accidents caused by being struck by objects
– Slip and fall accidents
– Falls from heights
– Collapses of confined spaces
– Crush injuries
Third-Party Oilfield Injury Claims:
If you determine that you are covered by worker’s compensation, you may have a valid workers’ comp claim. However, it is important to note that you might also be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit under certain circumstances, such as:
1. Your employer does not offer workers’ comp insurance, which is referred to as a non-subscriber claim.
2. You are an independent oil contractor and do not have coverage under workers’ comp.
3. The responsible party is external to your employer, resulting in a third-party liability claim.
By pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, you have the opportunity to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These may include:
1. Medical expenses
2. Lost wages
3. Pain and suffering
4. Emotional distress
5. Scarring and disfigurement
6. Disability or physical limitations
7. Reduced earning capacity
8. Decreased quality of life
Oilfield Accident Claims Process:
At Denizan Law Firm, we are dedicated to assisting you throughout the claims process, providing comprehensive support in the following areas:
1. The Investigation: We will diligently gather and scrutinize all available evidence to establish accountability for your oilfield injuries.
2. The Workers’ Comp Analysis: If you possess workers’ compensation insurance, the state Workers’ Comp Bureau will assess the facts and reach a determination concerning your claim.
3. Third-Party Liability/Non-Subscriber Claim: Should the law entitle you to file a lawsuit against your employer, a third party, or both, it is essential to promptly inform the insurer of your claim within a reasonable timeframe.
4. Insurance Negotiations: Many injury claims are resolved through insurance negotiations before reaching trial. Although the insurance adjuster may propose a settlement, refraining from immediate acceptance is advisable. It is crucial to assess whether the offered settlement provides fair compensation, considering that, in most instances, it may fall short of the appropriate amount. With an oilfield accident attorney at your side, you can engage in negotiations with enhanced expertise and strive for a more substantial sum.
Filing a lawsuit entails more than just proceeding to trial; it requires meticulous information gathering and a demonstration to the at-fault party and their insurer that you are fully committed to your claim.
In the course of litigation, your case will undergo discovery, which involves employing depositions, interrogatories, and requests for documents to accumulate a substantial amount of information and documentation. This evidence serves to bolster your claim while also enabling the identification of any weaknesses that can be addressed during settlement negotiations or trial.
Additionally, engaging one or more experts to provide testimony pertaining to various aspects of your case can be advantageous. These experts may include professionals from the oil and gas industry, engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, occupational experts, economists, or medical professionals who can offer informed and authoritative opinions regarding the accident’s cause, your injuries, and the assessment of your damages.