Our Oilfield and Offshore Accident Lawyers Help Clients Fight for Fair Recoveries
Oilfield and offshore jobs may be lucrative, but they're also extremely dangerous. This work requires precision and the use of hazardous equipment in demanding, fast-paced environments. Sadly, accidents are common, and they can be deadly or leave workers facing a long and unsure road to recovery. If an oilfield or offshore accident severely harmed you or a loved one, you could be entitled to compensation for the resulting injuries and losses. Understanding your rights, options, and how a lawyer could assist you is crucial in these complex cases. Fortunately, you've come to the right place. Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group's attorneys help oilfield or offshore workers and their families explore compensation options and fight for the full and fair recovery they deserve. Discover what our experienced legal team could do for your case.
Exploring Compensation for Oilfield and Offshore Injuries
Injured oil workers and their families often seek compensation after worksite accidents. Depending on the circumstances of the case, you might even be eligible to pursue a recovery from more than one source. He's what you should know about workers' compensation and third-party lawsuits following oilfield and offshore injuries.
Workers' Compensation
Most oilfield and offshore platform employers carry workers' compensation insurance. This coverage provides medical care and other benefits for workers injured on the job site or while performing their employment duties. Workers' comp doesn't require proving that an employer or another party was negligent. Injured workers must seek appropriate medical treatment and file a timely claim. Unfortunately, workers' compensation doesn't provide complete coverage for all your losses; it only offers partial wage payments and no compensation for non-monetary damages.
Third-Party Lawsuits
In most cases, employees can't sue employers for on-the-job injuries when workers' compensation is available. However, if a third party caused the injuries, oil workers may have grounds to file a third-party lawsuit and pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Examples of potentially liable third parties include:
- Negligent parties employed by other companies
- Negligent members of the public
- Negligent property owners
- Product and equipment manufacturers
Winning a third-party claim requires showing that the other party acted negligently and this negligence was the direct cause of the accident and injuries. Depending on the details of your claim, you could potentially recover compensation not available through workers' compensation, such as pain and suffering damages and full compensation for your lost wages.
Types of Oilfield and Offshore Accidents
Exacting work, hazardous equipment, and hurried or fatigued workers create conditions that can lead to a wide range of dangerous incidents. Common types of oilfield and offshore accidents include:
- Fires and explosions
- Oilfield structure collapses
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals and fumes
- Well blowouts
- Electrocutions
- Equipment malfunction
- Equipment misuse
- Slips and falls
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Vehicle and transportation accidents