Lubbock Oil Field Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured in an oil field accident, a Lubbock oil field injury attorney can evaluate the circumstances, guide you through the legal process, and fight for your rights.

Texas is known for going big, and one of the many ways it’s made its mark in our country is through oil production. In 2011, the county of Lubbock produced around 3.5 million barrels of oil alone. Though oil production is a large part of the economy, oil field employees are often exposed to dangerous situations and the possibility of catastrophic accidents every day at work.

From one oil field catastrophe to the next, there can be significant differences, but the impact on workers is always familiar: severe injury, medical expenses, and reduced income. In many of these cases, the oil and gas companies contest responsibility, and the insurance companies push for the underpayment of claims. 

Contact our Lubbock oil field injury lawyers  if you need legal help.

Lubbock Oil Field Hazards and OSHA Safety Regulations

Health and safety in workplaces across the nation are governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States. OSHA has numerous safety standards that oil and gas employers and workers must follow. Failing to do so is illegal and also raises the possibility of workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Due to the abundance of heavy machinery, toxic substances, and the prevalent risk of explosions and fire, oil fields are incredibly hazardous. Safety risks and hazardous situations, such as vehicle accidents, explosions, falls, struck-by accidents, caught-in accidents, and chemical exposures, can cause the death of oil and gas workers. Employers must protect the health and safety of workers involved in oil and gas operations per the following regulations:

• OSHA’s General Industry Standards (29 CFR 1910) cover topics such as established Federal standards, surfaces, emergency planning, work platforms, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), first aid, fire protection, and more.
• OSHA’s Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926) cover topics such as general safety, life-saving equipment, signs, disposal of waste materials, welding and cutting, fall protection, scaffolds, excavations, and more.
• The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act states every employer is required to provide each of their employees with a workplace that is free of known risks that are causing or are likely to cause death or injury to their employees.

Site preparation is the only aspect of oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations regulated by 29 CFR 1926. Leveling the ground, digging trenches, and other tasks are all part of site preparation. 29 CFR 1910 regulates all other facets of drilling and maintaining oil and gas wells. If a serious hazard is present at work that is not covered by an OSHA regulation, the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act is applicable.

Damages You Can Recover From a Lubbock Oil Field Accident

You may be eligible for compensation if you sustain injuries in an oil field accident through either the workers’ compensation program or a personal injury lawsuit. You may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if you are covered, but you may also be qualified to bring a personal injury claim.

You are likely able to bring forward a personal injury claim if the following apply to you:

• Your company does not provide workers’ compensation insurance
• You are a freelance oil contractor, so workers’ compensation does not apply to you
• Someone other than your employer is the party at fault for your oil field injury

You may be able to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury case. Losses that are often recovered in personal injury suits include the following:

• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced earning potential
• Reduced quality of life

If you can show the at-fault party acted negligently, willfully, or maliciously, the court may also authorize punitive damages, commonly referred to as exemplary damages.

Lubbock Oil Field Wrongful Death Claims

In Texas, a surviving spouse, child, parent, or personal representative may bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of someone who has died from an oil field accident and seek damages. Texas also recognizes survival claims, which are legal claims that developed during a person’s lifetime and persisted after that person’s passing.

Discuss submitting a claim for survivors’ benefits with an oil field injury attorney if your loved one was covered by workers’ compensation insurance. You may be eligible for financial support in Texas to cover funeral and burial costs as well as lost potential earnings.

Liability and Statute of Limitations in Lubbock Oil Field Injury Cases

It’s crucial to identify the party liable for the damages resulting from an oil field accident, especially if you were harmed or lost a loved one. Whether or not you have workers’ compensation insurance, you can still bring a third-party liability claim if someone other than your employer caused your injury.

If you don’t have workers’ compensation coverage, Texas law permits you to sue your employer.  In general, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This deadline starts counting down the day you sustained your injuries.

You can arrange a free consultation to find out more by getting in touch with us by calling (361) 882-1612 or filling out our contact form.