Oilfield Accident Lawyer in Odessa, TX

oilfield accident lawyer

Oilfield Accident Attorney in Odessa, Texas

Schedule your free initial consultation with Dobbs Law Firm by dialing 432-284-4773.

The oil and gas industry is one of the most hazardous, challenging fields of work. An oilfield accident lawyer understands the risks associated with the job. Due to intensive labor and exposure to harmful conditions, oilfield workers always remain at risk of suffering an injury or illness while on the job. Unlike working in a comfortable 9-to-5 office job, making one wrong move in the oil business can lead to a catastrophic oilfield accident.

At Dobbs Law Firm, we understand the dangers of the West Texas oil field industry. Our experienced oilfield accident attorney in Odessa, Texas, Spencer Dobbs, will aggressively represent you in pursuit of a fair settlement.

Causes of Oilfield Accidents

While advocating for oilfield accident victims over many years, our team at Dobbs Law Firm has encountered several different reasons for accidents to occur at an oilfield worksite. Even though the oilfield industry hires qualified employees, human error often plays a role in oilfield accidents. Some of the causes of oilfield accidents in West Texas include:
● Fires and explosions due to flammable gases and fire starters
● Well blowouts from uncontrolled release of oil while drilling
● Trips, slips, and falls due to improperly maintained worksites
● Electrocution due to defective or dangerous infrastructure
● Hazardous chemicals and fumes like hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and sulfur dioxide
● Equipment malfunctions or failures
● Entrapment in confined spaces
● Inadequate operations and safety training
● Failure to perform regular maintenance checks
● Noncompliance with industry regulations and guidelines

Injuries That Occur Due to Oilfield Accidents

When an emergency occurs in the oil and gas industry, workers usually do not have much time to react, leading to grievous oilfield injuries. Most oilfield fatalities occur due to falling equipment, prolonged exposure to toxic fumes, collisions with heavy machinery, falling from great heights, and other reasons. Unfortunately, the working in oilfield industry comes with inherent risks.
Some of the most common injuries that workers suffer due to an oilfield accident include:

● Respiratory injuries
● Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
● Broken bones
● Soft tissue injuries
● Accidental amputations
● Vision and hearing loss
● Herniated discs and fractured vertebrae
● Lacerations and puncture wounds
● Thermal, electrical, and chemical burns
● Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis

What Should I Do Following an Oilfield Accident?

Every oil company must ensure the safety of its workers. However, accidents do happen. And while undergoing restorative surgery and suffering through the healing process, dealing with legal issues can prove too much to bear for an injured oilfield worker.

At Dobbs Law Firm, our personal injury attorney Spencer Dobbs will relieve you of your burden, make you aware of your legal rights, and assist you in receiving compensation.

If you or your loved one has suffered an injury due to a workplace disaster, you should take the steps outlined below.

Make the Accident and the Severity of Your Injury Known to Your Employer

Be sure to notify your employer immediately after an oilfield accident. When reporting an accident, you should complete an incident report that mentions the details of the accident and specifies the injuries suffered. Failure to report your accident and injury may reduce your chances of future compensation because the company will likely use your silence to its advantage.

Your employer should maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage. If so, the company must notify the Texas Department of Insurance and file a workers’ compensation claim within eight days of your on-the-job oilfield accident.
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Step #1

Seek Medical Attention Immediately Following Your Oilfield Injury

Do not ignore even the slightest injury since even what seem like minor injuries can affect your health down the road and augment your claim for damages. Instead, be sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified medical practitioner. By law, an employer must ensure that you receive medical attention after a worksite accident.

If an emergency occurs due to an oil and gas accident and the injuries appear critical, your employer is required to call for an ambulance or medical helicopter so you can receive immediate medical treatment. Make sure that you receive a complete medical diagnosis and take care to follow the doctor’s instructions. Doing so will help you avoid the risk of developing long-term health conditions. Take your time to recover before you decide to get back to work.
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Step #2

Contact an Experienced Oilfield Accident Attorney

Once you report your accident, it will trigger a formal investigation by your employer and its insurance company. Always remember that their primary goal involves avoiding responsibility for your accident and injuries. They may even attempt to delay your benefits or deny your workers’ compensation claim.

Avoid speaking with the insurance claims adjusters because they will find ways to use what you say against your claims for pain, suffering, and loss of wages. By hiring an experienced oilfield accident attorney like Spencer Dobbs at Dobbs Law Firm in Odessa, Texas, you will benefit from the guidance of a professional who has gone through the entire process many times.

At Dobbs Law Firm, we offer a free consultation to victims of oilfield accidents. Our personal injury law team has the knowledge and experience to deal with complex oilfield accident cases. You may ask as many questions as you like and receive advice about your legal rights.

We work on a contingency basis, which means that you shouldn’t hesitate to hire us because you worry about how you would pay the bill. We receive payment only after we win your case and we receive a percentage of your compensation. You will never have to pay us out of pocket.

Once hired, we will investigate your accident and guide you through the claims process in pursuit of fair compensation.

Even though oil and gas companies remain legally obligated to maintain worker’s compensation insurance for their employees you should still hire an oilfield accident lawyer. We will represent you regardless of whether your injury occurs due to the negligence of your employer or a third party, like an independent contractor or subcontractor. Either way, we will help you file a lawsuit based on the workplace accident and the severity of your injuries.
Step #3

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Odessa Oilfield Accidents

Benefits


However, if your employer does not have a workers’ compensation plan, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for all the physical and economic damage the accident caused. Unfortunately, most victims of oilfield accidents do not receive the medical attention they need because the doctors chosen by the worker’s compensation insurance company will try to rush your recovery process to limit your benefits.

At Dobbs Law Firm, we have seen how critical it is for oilfield accident victims to hire a personal injury attorney to assist them through all of the legal processes related to the incident. We genuinely care for our clients’ wellbeing and pride ourselves on helping them cope with the challenges that follow an oilfield accident.

People Always Ask

At Dobbs Law Firm, we see dozens of potential clients per month. During consultations, we often hear some of the same questions. Below, discover some of the questions that people often ask.

Some of the most common causes of oilfield accidents in Odessa, Texas, include equipment failure, electrocution, explosions, fires, inhalation of hazardous fumes, falling of heavy equipment, well blowouts, gas leaks, and lack of training and safety measures.
Generally, employers remain responsible for the safety of their employees. The high-risk job of an oilfield worker requires substantial training. The hazards that result in oilfield accidents often prove life-threatening. Employers must perform risk assessments and schedule regular inspections and maintenance of the equipment. They must also comply with safety regulations to avoid oilfield accidents.

Why Locals Choose Dobbs Law Firm in Odessa, TX

We are here to help you. At Dobbs Law Firm, our experienced personal injury team recognize the dangers of the Texas oil and gas industry. We have seen firsthand the harm it can cause to people working under such hazardous conditions. We take pride in providing aggressive representation for victims of catastrophic oilfield accidents in and near Odessa, Texas.

From conducting initial investigations to calculating monetary damages, our goal lies in maximizing your compensation by proving your employer’s responsibility and firmly negotiating on your behalf.

Do you need an oilfield accident attorney in Odessa, Texas?

Contact Dobbs Law Firm at 432-284-4773 for a free consultation at your home or in the hospital.

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