Oilfield & Offshore Injuries IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT CHOICE

Oilfield and Offshore Injury Attorneys

Fighting to Recover Compensation for Oilfield and Offshore Injury Victims

Oilfield and offshore workers must operate in inherently dangerous conditions rife with heavy machinery, great heights, and risky scenarios. When they suffer injuries in a work-related accident, they deserve compensation to cover the full extent of their losses, including a temporary or permanent inability to return to work. Getting these vital financial resources can often be more challenging than it should be.

Our compassionate, talented team at Potts Law Firm is prepared to assist oilfield and offshore injury victims with both workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury lawsuits. It’s all about our power and results, which speak for themselves: We have obtained over $1 billion for our clients and are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you. Our oilfield and offshore injury lawyers will help you understand your rights and make every effort to deliver the recovery you need to move forward.

You pay our firm nothing unless we win your case, so contact us online or call (888) 420-1299 to schedule a free initial consultation. We offer same-day appointments and provide services in English and Spanish.

Common Oilfield and Offshore Injuries

Oilfield and offshore workers take on a higher level of risk than workers in many other industries. Injuries in these workplaces are often catastrophic, meaning they change the lives of victims forever.

Many oilfield and offshore injuries are caused by:

  • Chemical spills
  • Compressor station malfunctions
  • Electrocutions
  • Equipment failures
  • Explosions
  • Fires
  • Frac tank incidents
  • Rig collapses
  • Transportation accidents
  • Well blowouts
  • Well drilling accidents

Are Oilfield and Offshore Workers Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Many employers across the United States are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance policies. The specific rules vary by state, but typically, an employer must have a policy when it has a certain number of employees. Thus, most oilfield and offshore employees are covered by their employers’ policies and may seek benefits after a job-related accident.

Keep in mind that independent contractors are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but misclassification is a rampant problem. Oilfield and offshore employees misclassified as independent contractors are still generally entitled to benefits when they are injured at work.

Workers’ compensation insurance covers all accident-related injuries, occupational illnesses, and repetitive strain injuries, but you must act quickly. You may be denied benefits if you do not promptly report an injury-causing accident or your discovery of what may be a work-related injury. These policies can also provide death benefits to the surviving family of someone who perishes in an oilfield or offshore accident.

Our oilfield and offshore injury attorneys can assist you throughout the workers’ compensation process and work to get you money for:

  • Temporary or permanent disability
  • Medical expenses, including out-of-pocket costs, treatments, equipment, and medication
  • A portion of lost wages

When Should I Consider Filing a Third-Party Lawsuit for an Oilfield or Offshore Accident?

Workers’ compensation insurance can provide the financial lifeline you need to cover many immediate expenses when you are temporarily or permanently unable to work after an oilfield or offshore accident. Even better, fault does not typically matter in a workers’ compensation claim. You do not have to prove negligence, and you can still get benefits if you were partially or completely responsible for the accident so long as you were not intoxicated or you were not trying to injure yourself or others.

Workers’ compensation benefits do not cover non-economic damages, however, and they do not cover the entirety of your lost wages. To recover these damages, you may need to consider a third-party lawsuit. This remedy is only available if the negligence of someone other than your employer caused the oilfield or offshore accident. You cannot sue your employer for damages if you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

Third parties who could be liable for oilfield or offshore accident injuries include:

  • Landowners
  • Fixed offshore platform owners
  • Contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Rig owners
  • Rig manufacturers
  • Trucking companies
  • Vehicle and equipment manufacturers

Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, winning a third-party personal injury lawsuit does require proving negligence. Should you prevail, you may be able to secure compensation for all lost wages, reduced earning capacity, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other damages not covered by workers’ compensation benefits.

I Was Partially Responsible for an Oilfield or Offshore Accident. Can I Still Recover Compensation?

Many oilfield and offshore accidents occur due to factors beyond a worker’s control. A worker may be doing everything right but simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, there are some occasions where a mistake or error in judgment could contribute to an injury-causing accident.

Unless you were intoxicated or were actively trying to harm yourself or another party, you can generally get workers’ compensation benefits even if you were partially or completely at fault for an oilfield or offshore accident. Workers’ compensation policies operate under no-fault rules, so it does not usually matter who (if anyone) was responsible for the incident and resulting injuries.

If you think you may have a case for a third-party personal injury lawsuit, any partial responsibility could impact your ability to recover compensation. In fact, you should assume the defendant will allege you were partially or completely responsible for the accident. In many states, you can still recover some of your damages under comparative negligence rules. Any award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility (as determined by the court). Some states do not allow you to recover anything if you are at all to blame, so it is important to understand the laws that apply to your case.

Our oilfield and offshore injury lawyers at Potts Law Firm can help you explore all of your legal options after an accident, including what you may be able to recover. We understand how to strategically handle both the workers’ compensation and personal injury litigation processes and will be there to support you every step of the way.

Do not wait to discuss your case with a legal professional if you were injured in an oilfield or offshore accident. Call (888) 420-1299 or contact us online today.

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hEAR fROM OTHERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH OUR TEAM
  • “They were able to complete it in a timely manner and were great at keeping me up to date with communication throughout the entire process. I highly recommend using this law firm if the need arises.”

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  • “Michael Bins has been extremely helpful in helping us to navigate a situation with an insurance claim on a commercial property. He’s gone above and beyond in moving our case toward a positive resolution that we’re satisfied with.”

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  • “They know the law from every angle, dig deep, and will not accept anything less than what was asked in the original suit. The Potts team never backed down until the case was settled in full.”

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IT'S ALL ABOUT OUR APPROACH Why We're The Best at What We Do

At Potts Law Firm, we believe the details of your case matter and we work tirelessly to pursue just compensation on your behalf. Our team of experienced attorneys and staff are backed with the resources they need to win regardless of the obstacles your case faces. We do this all while keeping an open line of communication with you.