Injured In An Oil Field Accident?
If you have been injured in an oil field accident then it is important to hire a local, trusted law firm that will work tirelessly to enforce your rights. Sand Law, PLLC is a law firm located in the heart of North Dakota’s Bakken Oil Field. With our years of experience and undeniable record, we have become a top firm for workers with oil field injuries.
Our attorneys are respected in the local courts and legal community. Working in oil fields and in the oil drilling industry can be dangerous. That’s why we represent those injured in oil field accidents throughout the Bakken region and all around North Dakota. Choosing an attorney with experience and credibility matters; we have both. Contact Sand Law PLLC’s office today for your free, no obligation consultation with the North Dakota Oil Field Injury Law Firm. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.
What Type Of Cases Does An Oilfield Injury Attorney Handle?
Injury cases in the oilfield can be unique. Our office is located in the heart of the Bakken and we see cases everyday that many attorneys would not see in an entire career of practicing in the city. Here is a look at some of the cases we handle:
North Dakota Oil Field Injuries
There are opportunities for workers to sustain oil field injuries virtually anywhere on the site. Oil field workers are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries on the job, including:
- Pad Site Accidents, Injuries, and Explosions
- Hazardous Material Accidents and Injuries
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Crush Injuries and Amputations
- Fractured Bones, Lacerations, and Bruises
- Nerve Damage and Severe Burns
- Wrongful Death
North Dakota oil field workers are also susceptible to injuries that are acquired over time, such as repetitive strain injuries or hearing loss. As with acute oil field injuries, it is essential to report your condition to your employer and get medical care as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity of the injury, an oil field worker may be temporarily unable to return to full work duties while recovering or permanently out of commission. Our North Dakota oil field accident attorneys can help you explore your options for compensation for current and future damages, including lost wages.
North Dakota Vehicle Injuries
Accidents involving vehicles are another common source of injuries on North Dakota oil fields. Examples include:
- Oil Truck Accidents
- Sand-Can Accidents
- Water Truck Accidents
- Hotshot Accidents
- Semi-Truck/18-Wheel Accidents
- Lost Load Accidents
- Explosions or Fires due to Vehicle Collisions
- Rollover Accidents
Workers may be crushed underneath a vehicle or between a vehicle and another surface. Additionally, the impact of a vehicle can knock oil field workers off balance. Consequently, they may sustain severe injuries when they fall from an elevated surface or collide with sharp, hard, or hot surfaces.
How Do I Know If I Have An Oil Worker Injury Claim?
Oil field workers who suffer injuries on the job may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. To do so, you must demonstrate that the circumstances of the accident fit North Dakota’s standards for workers’ compensation claims. Usually, that just means showing your oil field injuries occurred within the scope of you carrying out your job duties in adherence with safety protocols.
Generally, oil field injuries count as workplace injuries. That means they should be covered under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. However, that does not automatically mean that a workers’ compensation is the best or only way for you to obtain compensation following a North Dakota oil field accident.
When you are trying to determine what type of claim to file, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I have significant financial losses related to my oil field injuries other than medical bills and lost wages?
- Was someone besides me, my employer, or a co-worker responsible for the accident that caused my oil field injuries?
- Were the actions of the other person who caused my accident criminal, intended to inflict injury, or egregiously negligent?
If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, you should speak with a North Dakota oil field injury attorney about the possibility of filing a personal injury claim in addition to or instead of a workers’ compensation claim.
Requirements for a Personal Injury Claim for Oil Field Injuries
For all personal injury cases, including oil field injuries, liability for negligence must be established. That means the person that caused your injury must have owed you a duty and their breach of that duty caused you damage. Corporations or insurance companies often try to use this legal concept to scare people into thinking they do not have a claim.
DO NOT BE FOOLED. The duty standard used by North Dakota courts applies to almost everyone – including businesses. We all have a duty to act reasonably and if we fail to do so, we are liable for the injuries we cause.
You can establish liability in a claim based on someone’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior. Various factors can contribute to liability for North Dakota oil field injuries, including:
- Faulty maintenance of machinery that leads to an injury
- Managerial noncompliance with safety regulations
- Violations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for oil field operations
- Employee lack of training before handling dangerous equipment
Do not be bullied or pressured by the insurance companies into accepting a lower settlement than you deserve or even worse – no settlement at all. Call the North Dakota oil field injury lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
What Compensation Is Available To Injured Oil Workers?
Compensation options for oil field injuries vary depending on the type of claim you file. For personal injury claims, there are several forms of damages that are broken into two categories: General Damages and Special Damages. Workers’ compensation only addresses economic damages. Here is a breakdown of the damages you may qualify for if you sustained an injury as an oil field worker.
General Damages for Oil Field Injuries
General damages are things that are more difficult to put an exact number on, like how painful your injury was.
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Humiliation
- Loss of Reputation
- Emotional Distress
Special Damages for Oil Field Injuries
Special damages have an exact dollar amount, such as the exact cost of your medical expenses.
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Vehicle Repair
- Property Damage
- Lost or Stolen Items
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
North Dakota workers’ comp offers more limited compensation for injured oil field workers. These benefits cover the cost of:
- Medical treatments and care
- Transportation, accommodations, and meals incurred while seeking medical care
- Wage loss from missed days or reduced hours
- Partial or total disability on a temporary or permanent basis
- Funeral expenses for fatal oil field injuries
- Lost income source for survivors of a deceased worker
Although determining the value of workers’ compensation benefits should be straightforward given that they address financial losses, insurance companies often try to diminish benefits. A North Dakota oil field injury attorney can assist you with evaluating what your workers’ compensation claim is worth.
Can I Sue If I Was Injured While Working In An Oil Field?
Many times yes. Do not be pressured into thinking that workers’ compensation is your only avenue to recoup compensation for an injury or accident that took place at work. In many oil field injury cases, there may be a liable third party. This means that just because your injury happened while on the job – there may be another person or company liable to pay for damages not covered by workers’ compensation, like:
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Trauma
- Mental Anguish
- Humiliation
- Punitive Damages
To learn more about what your non-economic damages are worth, discuss your oil field injury case with a Sand Law PLLC personal injury attorney.
How an Oilfield Accident Lawyer Can Help You?
An oilfield accident lawyer can help you by providing expert legal guidance to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. They will investigate the details of your case, gather evidence, and handle communication with insurance companies and third parties. A lawyer can determine whether you’re eligible for workers’ compensation or if you can pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent party. They will also protect your rights throughout the legal process, helping you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering while you focus on your recovery.
Contact Sand Law – North Dakota’s Oilfield Injury Attorneys
The personal injury attorneys at Sand Law, PLLC will guide you through your oil field injury case step-by-step and fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve. The North Dakota oil field accident attorneys at Sand Law handle cases in Stark County, McKenzie County, Williams County, and throughout North Dakota.
We have experience representing hard-working North Dakotans in oilfield injury cases to get them the compensation they deserve. Don’t settle for less than you need and deserve for your injury. You can contact Sand Law today by filling out our online form or by calling us at 701-394-4250.