Many people in other states don’t realize just how much oil New Mexico produces for the rest of the country. In fact, in 2021, our state became the second-largest crude oil-producing state, after Texas, when it surpassed North Dakota. While the oil industry produces many jobs for workers, it also results in a high number of injuries for those workers. If work in the oil industry and have suffered a job-related injury or illness, contact a New Mexico oil field accident lawyer residents rely on from Davie & Valdez P.C. to find out what legal options you may have. We offer free consultations.
- Types of Accidents
- Types of Accidents Infographic
- Injuries Suffered
- Types of Accident Claims
- Let Our Firm Advocate for You
- FAQs
- New Mexico Oil Field Accident Lawyer Statistics
Types of Accidents
While injuries can occur in many different ways, the most common kinds of oil field accidents our law firm has handled include the following:
- Motor vehicle and other transportation
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Contact with equipment or other objects
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to harmful substances (i.e. chemicals)
Types of Accidents Infographic
Injuries Suffered
Working in oil fields is one of the most dangerous jobs there are. Our law firm has handled many cases where oil workers suffered catastrophic injuries while performing their expected job duties. Some of the more common include:
- Amputation of limbs or digits
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Chemical burns
- Crushed limbs
- Electric burns
- Fractured bones
- Gas burns
- Head injuries
- Lung damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sludge-related injuries
Types of Accident Claims
There are two different types of compensation a New Mexico oil field accident lawyer can pursue on an injured worker’s behalf. The first is workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include covering all medical treatments and continued rehabilitation and therapy. Workers are also entitled to disability benefits to cover the lost wages the worker is suffering from being unable to work.
Suppose the worker does not survive the accident. In that case, their family is eligible to receive death benefits which are meant to cover the victim’s lost income and benefits, as well as funeral and burial expenses.
Another legal action an injured worker can pursue is a third-party liability claim against any party whose negligence was responsible for the worker’s fall. For example, if the worker fell because the scaffolding they were on collapsed, and that scaffolding was shown to be defective, the injured worker could sue the manufacturer of the scaffolding.
Workers’ compensation only allows the victim to collect actual financial damages. In contrast, a third-party claim allows the victim to pursue damages for noneconomic damages, such as pain, suffering, emotional anguish, scarring, and disfigurement. An oil field injury lawyer can evaluate a victim’s case to determine which legal course of action would benefit them the most and what damages they may be entitled to.
Let Our Firm Advocate for You
If you are an injured oil worker, contact our office to meet with our oil field accident lawyer to find out how we can help. There may be several complex liability issues that concern your case that require the legal expertise and skill that our legal team offers. We have extensive experience in handling both workers’ compensation and third-party liability cases and will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve for the losses you have sustained.
Oil Field Accident Lawyer Statistics
According to the CDC, in 2017 alone across the U.S. there was a total of 69 fatalities for those working in the oil and gas industry. If you or someone you love has been injured working in an oil field, you should contact a lawyer to help receive the benefits you deserve; the amount of benefits you receive will depend on the type of case you have and the extent of your injuries.
Oil Field Accident Lawyer FAQs
Our oil field accident lawyer in New Mexico has successfully represented numerous oil injury cases and can help you with yours. The following are some of the more common questions injured workers have. For more detailed information about your case, call our office for help.
How dangerous is working in an oil field?
There are multiple dangers that jobs in oil fields present. Oil is a highly flammable material and the risk of being injured or killed in a fire or explosion is a major risk. With all of the heavy machinery that is needed in the field, there is also a high risk of a worker getting hit by moving parts or even getting caught in the machinery. There is also the loud noise of all that machinery and the operation of oil rigs that can have a significant impact on a worker’s hearing – making it difficult to communicate and warn others that a hazardous condition is about to occur.
What are some of the most common types of oil field accidents?
Although there are many ways an oilfield worker can become injured, some of the most common include:
- Falling cargo from delivery vehicles
- Falling pipes
- Falling tools
- Falls from oil derricks
- Pipeline blowouts
- Slip and fall accidents
- Use of dangerous equipment
What steps should a worker take if they sustain an oil field accident injury?
The first step is to seek immediate medical attention, even if you think that the injury is only a minor one. It is not uncommon for accident victims to not realize they have been injured following an accident due to the adrenaline rush that often occurs. There are also many injuries that have silent symptoms, such as a brain or internal organ injury.
The worker should also notify their supervisor that they have been injured, following any type of protocol the employer has in place for such notifications. Under workers’ compensation laws, an injured worker usually has a limited amount of days to make this notification. In New Mexico, that deadline is 15 days, although, in some situations, it can go up to 60.
How much will I receive for benefits?
Under a workers’ compensation claim, all of your medical expenses will be covered. You will also receive a percentage of your weekly pay while you recover. If you are left with permanent damage, then you may also qualify for future disability benefits.
In some cases, your claim may fall under a personal injury claim. For example, if you were injured by dangerous equipment due to a manufacturer defect, a third-party personal injury claim could be filed against the company.
Do I need a lawyer?
Although not legally required to go through the workers’ compensation process, you should consider contacting a New Mexico oil field accident lawyer for legal assistance. Having an attorney advocating for you as soon as possible in the workers’ compensation process can help it go smoother than not having an attorney, especially if your employer and/or the insurance company is trying to deny your claim.
Our team has more than 50 years of combined experience. When you are ready to get legal help, reach out to our trusted New Mexico oil field accident lawyer from Davie & Valdez P.C.
Client Review
“My case took longer than expected due to COVID however they always kept me informed on where we were at. What I really liked is the genuine interest in helping you that all the staff shows, very easy to get a hold of them at all times and they explain really well every step of the process. Also appreciate that they are very honest with you and tell you exactly what to expect of the outcome of the case. Highly recommend Davie & Valdez!”
Aly Lozano
