Oil Field Injury Lawyers in New Mexico
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Working in one of the many New Mexico oil fields can be very dangerous, and when there is an accident, it is usually the oil worker who suffers the consequences. Physical and mental injuries caused by an accident on an oil field can have a devastating effect both emotionally and financially on you and your family. That’s why it’s important to know New Mexico oil field injury lawyers who can help you.
If you’ve suffered an injury from an accident at work, you may be lost on what to do next or who could be held responsible; a casing crew, wireline services, company man, or one of many others could be responsible depending on the circumstances. You may wish to speak with a New Mexico personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to have your case evaluated. If you or a loved one have suffered from a work injury in a New Mexico oil field, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
Causes of oil field accidents
The primary duty of drill workers in the oil field is to operate and maintain drilling on an oil rig. The drill workers comply with safety protocols and work with other crew members to ensure the continuous operation of drilling equipment. Surely they take great care most of the time; nevertheless, accidents unfortunately still happen on the rig.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 69 fatal oil rig accidents in 2017. Of these 69 fatalities, three occurred in New Mexico oil fields. The largest number of fatalities affected workers aged 21-30, and the fatally injured workers on average had less than a year of experience in the industry.
There are a number of conditions and events that can result in an injury on an oil drilling rig. A few of these occurrences include the following:
Defective Drilling Rigs, Wellheads, and Other Machinery
Damaged tongs, manufacturing defects, and corroded parts all create faulty equipment which could not only prevent workers from doing their jobs but can also result in severe injury or even death. Other defects that can result in injury include improperly designed or installed safety features, outdated equipment, and weak operating systems.
Explosions
When there is a blowout, the result may be an exploding rig. This could lead to numerous injuries or deaths depending on the amount of pressure being released, especially if any equipment is thrown during the process.
Poisonous Gas Exposure
Drilling deep underground can cause contact with pipes some cameras can’t see or detect. This could lead to toxic exposure to hydrogen sulfide mercury, silica, or naturally occurring radioactive materials. Prolonged exposure can lead to long-term breathing problems or death.
Human Error or Negligence
Accidents on an oil field are often caused by human error or negligence. One such example is when someone operates dangerous machinery while under the influence of illicit substances. When other innocent workers get injured because of that intoxicated person’s inability to operate large equipment, the negligent worker should be held responsible for those injuries or the deaths of coworkers.
Other sources of accidents caused by human error or negligence which may result in injury or death include:
- Rushing jobs and failing to perform a necessary hazard analysis
- Increased length of time on the job
- Failure to follow industry regulations or company safety procedures
- Dropped objects, including piping, lights, tools, and rigging
- Continuing work during hazardous weather conditions
- Employing subcontractors who are inadequately trained or supervised
- Rig maintenance, repairs, or drilling operations
Electrocutions
Underground wiring which comes into contact with the equipment workers use each day could lead to electrocution. If nearby utility poles give way, wires could snap and electrocute people nearby.
Slips and Falls
Oil is undoubtedly slick and the threat of injuring your back or neck, breaking bones, and even becoming paralyzed from a fall on oil spills is very real. Other causes of injuries in New Mexico oil fields include:
- Damage to equipment and equipment failure
- Lack of safety equipment
- Outdated industrial equipment
- Lack of information given to employees
- Vehicle accidents and collisions
- Heavy equipment collapses
- Structural damage to the rig
- Equipment failure
What Type of Claim Do I Have?
You may have a workers’ compensation claim for your injury. New Mexico employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance on their employees; as a result, injured workers may receive compensation if they’ve been injured, regardless of fault. If your employer attempts to retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim after your injury, they may be help liable under the law for their actions.
Aside from workers’ compensation, you may also have a personal injury claim for your accident. If you’re able to prove that you were injured due to negligence on the part of a contractor or other non-employee third party, an oil field attorney in New Mexico—like our experienced attorneys at Zinda Law Group—may be able to help you get the maximum compensation that you are entitled to.
Who is at fault and may be held liable depends on the circumstances of your injury. If faulty equipment caused your injury, it may be possible to hold the manufacturer accountable for providing the defective equipment used while drilling or constructing pipe or performing other oilfield tasks. If your employer fostered an unsafe work environment which ignored safety standards, they could be held accountable for not having your safety in mind.
Contact an Oil Field Injury Lawyer in New Mexico
After you have been treated for your injury, speak with an oil field injury lawyer in New Mexico as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury lawyer will provide advice for your case and walk you through your next steps.
Finding the right oil field injury lawyer in New Mexico may seem difficult, but there are plenty of resources available to make the process easier. You can ask friends or family for recommendations, or even use a simple internet search such as “oil field injury lawyer New Mexico” or “oil field injury lawyer near me.” Another good option is to look for an attorney through the American Bar Association’s online directory; you can also find a lawyer through the New Mexico Bar Association’s website or a bar association of your county or city if there is one available.
You should choose a personal injury attorney who has the experience and skill needed to handle your case, and a track record of success in pursing personal injury claims. Zinda Law Group’s personal injury lawyers have experience with personal injury claims and an outstanding record of success in handling these matters for our clients.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
As with all personal injury cases, time is of the essence. If you believe that your injury occurred due to another’s negligence, contact a lawyer right away. Why? Because there are time constraints, such as statutes of limitations, involved in civil cases that determine how long you will have to file your claim.
In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. This means that you would have three years from the date of your injury to file a claim; if you attempt to file your claim beyond that three-year limit, your claim is barred. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you determine when you will need to file, and if you are subject to any of the exceptions that exist to “toll” or delay the statute of limitations in New Mexico.
What you can recover
You may be able to recover the costs associated with your injury and recovery through a personal injury claim. The severity of the injury and the length of your recovery time directly affect the amount of recovery allowable for a personal injury action.
Your injury may leave you unable to work or perform daily tasks. You might require ongoing medical care and extensive rehabilitative therapy. Yet you may be able to recover the costs in the form of compensatory damages; these types of damages include both economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages are the actual, monetary costs of your injury; these types of damages include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and other unanticipated costs of your injury, such as transportation needs. Noneconomic damages cover the mental and emotional toll the injury has taken on your life and are recovered in the form of compensation for pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in recovering the maximum compensation you are entitled to for your injury.
How Zinda LAW GROUP Can Help You
Zinda Law Group understands that getting injured while working on an oil rig can be a source of immense emotional and financial strain on you and your family. It is important to get as much help and support as you can during this difficult time. Our oil field injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group can assist you with recovering the costs associated with you or your loved one’s injury and recovery.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers will guide you through the often-complex legal system to help file your claim and ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to. We will take care of the legal work so you can focus on yourself and your family during this time of recovery. If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees; this is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury after an accident on an oil rig, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312. Schedule a meeting for a time that is most convenient for you, and receive a free consultation with one of our oil field injury lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
