Oil is an important part of Texas’ economy, with the state ranking as the top producer of this valuable resource in the country. While technological advancements have resulted in safer working conditions on oilfields, employees still face serious dangers every time they clock in.
Not surprisingly, serious oil field accidents are common with many workers suffering life-threatening injuries every year. If you were hurt in an oilfield accident, you might not be sure about what to do next. After all, no one can be truly prepared for the major impact a serious injury can have on every aspect of your life.
In this article, we take a look at a few steps you should take after an on-the-job injury to help ensure your claim starts off on a strong foot:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
After a serious accident, your top priority should always be your health. However, visiting the doctor is about more than just taking care of your well-being. Undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation immediately after the accident will ensure that you have a paper trail of evidence documenting both the incident and your injuries.
2. Report the Accident to Your Employer
To receive workers’ compensation, you will need to report the accident so that your employer can contact their insurer to begin processing your claim. The sooner you contact your employer, the sooner your claim will be processed.
3. Write an Account of the Accident
While you might think the moment you were injured will be burned into your mind forever, even these intense memories will fade over time. As such, it’s important to write down everything you can remember about the incident while your memory is still fresh. Additionally, you should note down the names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident happen as their statements could help strengthen your claim. You should also take photos of the scene to document the hazard that caused your injuries.
4. Contact an Oilfield Injury Attorney
While you can negotiate your claim on your own, going up against your employer and their insurer can be a difficult undertaking. With considerable resources at their disposal, both these parties have the ability to dispute almost every aspect of your case to reduce how much they have to pay out.
Hiring an attorney can help level the playing field, putting someone in your corner who can protect your rights and help you build a convincing case. A lawyer can also review the insurer’s settlement offer to determine if it is fair or not, and take steps to counter such offers if necessary.
Speak to a Texas Oilfield Accident Attorney Today
Were you seriously hurt in an oilfield accident? Turn to the legal team at Hilliard Law to discuss your options. We can assess your situation as part of a free consultation, taking time to answer your questions and explain the strategies we might employ to help you secure a financial award.
Our legal team has tried many onshore and offshore oilfield cases, giving us the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to prevail in even the most complex cases. Contact us today at (361) 882-1612 or through our Contact Form to schedule a free case review with an oilfield accident attorney.