Oil, natural gas, and mineral extraction involve some of the most dangerous professions in the country. The Fort Worth gas and oil field injury attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm represent oil and natural gas workers injured on the job. If you work in oil and natural gas, there are some important things you need to know about your right to sue for workplace injuries and how to receive compensation after a serious accident.
If you or a loved one is an oil or natural gas worker, or if you were injured on the job working at an oil field, contact The Queenan Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation on your case. Our lawyers can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other serious harms from your oil field injury. To schedule a free consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
When Can I Sue for Workplace Injuries on an Oil Field in Texas?
Texas oil workers have the choice of accepting or rejecting workers’ compensation coverage. If you have workers’ compensation, your injuries might be covered through that program, and your ability to file a lawsuit might be limited. If you reject workers’ compensation, you might be able to file a lawsuit against your employer for on-the-job injuries, potentially recovering higher damages for your case. Our oil injury lawyers explain.
If you have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be limited as to when you can sue. In most cases, workers’ comp. prevents you from suing unless you experience injuries from any of the following:
- Intentional injuries
- Third-party injuries
- Injuries from defective tools or equipment
- Other specific categories of injury
In these cases, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit and should speak with our Fort Worth oil injury lawyers today about filing your claim.
If you reject workers’ compensation, your right to sue after an injury is protected. Without workers’ comp., you can sue your employer for any injuries they cause you through negligence, improper training, or dangers on the oil rig.
Causes of Oil Rig and Natural Gas Rig Injuries
To prove your employer is at fault for your injuries, you must be able to prove that they did something wrong that led to your injuries. In many cases, you can claim negligence based on one of the following categories:
- Lack of Safety Gear – If your employer failed to provide you or your coworkers with safety gear required by OSHA, BSSE, or another department, you may be entitled to sue for any injuries you received. You may also be able to sue your employer for providing broken or defective safety gear.
- Lack of Training – If you were injured because of a coworkers’ lack of training or your employer’s failure to instruct the coworker on proper protocols, you may be entitled to sue your employer.
- Lack of Drug Screening – If a coworker was drunk or using drugs, your employer should have properly screened for drug use and may have put your life at risk by allowing this negligent employee to go to work.
- Overwork – If your employer overworks coworkers, and they cause you injuries because they are overly tired yet still permitted to continue their shift, your employer may be liable for your injuries.
- Lack of Maintenance or Repairs – The equipment, the land, the rig, and even buildings and sleeping quarters you use on the job are all supplied and maintained by your employer or the owner of the oil field. If they fail to properly maintain trucks or other vehicles, or if they allow dangerous and defective conditions to go unrepaired, you may be able to sue them for injuries you suffered because of these issues.
Taking your case to court means proving that your employer committed one of these errors or another similar error which lead to your injuries. If you can prove that your employer failed to fulfill a duty they owed you, and that breach of duty led to your injuries, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Compensation for Oil and Natural Gas Injuries in TX
The compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries depends heavily on the severity of your injuries and the harms you suffered. In most cases, you can claim damages for any medical expenses you face because of the injury, any wages you lose because of your injury, and direct damages for the pain and suffering you face.
You should always consult with an attorney about your case for help understanding the damages you might be entitled to. If your employer offers you a settlement, it may be too low to cover your needs, and you should talk to an attorney before accepting any money for your injuries.
Free Consultations on Injury Cases for Oil and Natural Gas Workers in Fort Worth, Texas
The Queenan Law Firm’s Fort Worth personal injury lawyers for oil and natural gas workers fight to get fair compensation and justice for injured oil workers. If you or a loved one was injured while working at an oil field or natural gas drilling site, or if a loved one was killed working in this industry, call our law offices today. Our attorneys offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your potential claim and what your case might be worth. To schedule your free consultation, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.