If you’re an independent contractor who was injured in a serious oilfield accident, it’s time to find a lawyer. Don’t count on the oil company to make things right. The company is more likely to deny responsibility and try to get out of paying for your medical care and other costs from the accident. As a contractor, workers’ compensation may not apply to you. Your best recourse may be a personal injury claim filed in court by a lawyer. If you’re looking for quality legal representation, look no further than our team of former Marines who fight for injured Texas oilfield workers.
Oilfield Risks for Independent Contractors
Contractors face many serious risks when working oilfield jobs. OSHA’s website lists only a few of the possible hazards that you might encounter at work:
- “Vehicle Collisions
- Struck-By/ Caught-In/ Caught-Between
- Explosions and Fires
- Falls
- Confined Spaces
- Ergonomic Hazards
- High Pressure Lines and Equipment
- Electrical and Other Hazardous Energy
- Machine Hazards”
Because oilfields are dangerous workplaces, contractors are at risk of injury whenever they’re on the job. At Allen & Nunnally, we handle many oilfield cases for contractors and employees. We understand that the risk of injury comes with the job. If you are injured in an accident at work, we recognize that it could have a serious impact on your life ahead. We believe that injured workers deserve to be fairly compensated for their medical bills, lost wages, and future damages. Our lawyers fight for you in the hardest time of your life to get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Your Contractor Status Matters
Under state and federal laws, independent contractors have different rights than employees. Employees can seek compensation for workplace accidents through their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation pays for many medical expenses and time off work. True independent contractors do not qualify for workers’ compensation coverage. Instead, contractors are expected to pay for their own medical insurance and costs arising from an accident.
You should know that some workers called “contractors” or “independent contractors” by their companies are actually employees under the law. A title does not determine whether someone is an employee or not. There are specific factors listed in the law that are used to decide who is truly a contractor. In general, courts assess whether an employer has the right to exercise “direction and control” over a worker. If you’re unsure about your contractor or employee status after a workplace accident, seek advice from a local attorney with the experience you need.
To take legal action for your oilfield accident, you need to know whether workers’ compensation could pay for part or all of your damages. If you are a contractor, workers’ compensation likely will not apply, and so we will likely need to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a civil lawsuit filed with a court seeking damages to be paid to an injured plaintiff due to the negligent or wrongful acts of a defendant or defendants. A civil lawsuit is different than a criminal case. In a criminal case, the district attorney files criminal charges against a defendant who allegedly did something wrong. In a civil case, a plaintiff (such as an injured oilfield worker) pursues legal claims against people who the plaintiff believes owe him payment for causing his injuries. Civil cases have judges assigned who decide legal issues in the case. If a civil case goes to trial, either a jury or the judge may decide if the plaintiff is entitled to damages.
It’s a good idea to hire a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit for you. Your lawyer can investigate your case, locate key evidence, determine which claims to make in the lawsuit, estimate your possible damages, fight for you in court, and advise you on your rights. Lawsuits often settle before trial. However, the only way to maximize the settlement value of your lawsuit is to aggressively prepare a strong case from the start. Find a lawyer who approaches every case with preparation, discipline, and hard work. Allen & Nunnally’s lawyers thoroughly prepare all cases assuming we will have to go to trial and win.
First to Fight for You
Do you need advice about your rights after suffering a serious oilfield injury? At Allen & Nunnally, we have a steadfast commitment to client service. Injured Texas oilfield workers trust us to fight for the compensation they deserve. We earn that trust by working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients’ cases. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston attorneys, use our convenient Contact Form, call (713) 955-2217, or email us at info@allen-nunnally.com.