After an oilfield accident, you need an ally on your side who can fight the oil company for the compensation you deserve. Personal injury lawyers who focus on oilfield cases, such as Matt Allen and Knox Nunnally, understand the nuances of oilfield accidents and how to develop strategies for success. It’s not enough to hire a generic personal injury lawyer. You actually need proven experience with this specific type of accident.
What Does Success in an Oilfield Injury Case Mean for Me?
Success means different things for different clients, because every case is different. We treat every case like it’s going to trial from the start. Your case might settle before trial, meaning you sign a release that prevents you from suing in the future in exchange for a settlement payment. Alternatively, your case might go into litigation and move toward trial. We’re prepared to fight big oilfield companies regardless of the path your case takes. A few of our results demonstrate this:
- $3,500,000 for an oilfield client exposed to hazardous chemicals in the oilfield
- $2,000,000 for an oilfield worker injured from a crush injury on a rig platform
- $1,500,000 for an oilfield worker injured from a crush injury on a rig platform
- $600,000 for an oilfield client with 2nd degree burn injuries on his arm and neck from an explosion
- $200,000 for an oilfield client who was injured at a pump station
- Millions of dollars for other injured clients, including those hurt in construction and trucking accidents
In a recent case, we helped a worker who lost a finger when his hand was crushed in a Texas Panhandle oilfield. Personal injury law firms aren’t always getting results like ours. We apply the work ethic and discipline we learned as U.S. Marines to each and every personal injury case we handle.
Why Does Experience with Oilfield Cases Matter?
If you haven’t handled an oilfield personal injury case before, you’ll be out of your depth. That’s one of the reasons we specifically encourage attorney referrals from other lawyers who need help with oilfield-specific cases.
Oilfields can feel like another world apart from the cities and towns where we live. Safety concerns are paramount for oilfield workers, who often have dangerous jobs and a high risk of injury, according to OSHA and the CDC, but not all companies or coworkers take safety seriously. Unfortunately, when accidents happen, companies often try to pass the buck. Common issues we see in oilfield injury cases are:
- the need to prove negligence when defective equipment led to an accident or a rig collapsed
- difficulty identifying the responsible company and insurance company when many contracts are involved
- refusal of workers’ compensation coverage for contractors
- the exclusive remedy rule for workers’ compensation
- trouble tracking down witnesses and information about the accident or about safety procedures
Our experienced attorneys know how to confront these legal and practical issues. We have proven strategies for locating the needed evidence and witnesses. Moreover, we stay current with the latest case law so we can effectively handle legal arguments, such as proving negligence or establishing causation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a contractor hurt in an oilfield, and the company said workers’ comp doesn’t apply to me. What are my next steps toward getting compensation?
As a first step, we strongly recommend hiring a law firm such as Allen & Nunnally to handle your contractor oilfield injury case. Your company has already told you that they don’t think you deserve compensation. You will have to fight for your rights against the big guns, and these oilfield companies don’t roll over easily. Getting an ally on your side who knows the law and can help you build the strongest possible case is a great strategy.
Do you accept referrals from other attorneys for oilfield cases?
Yes, we welcome referrals from other attorneys for the specific area of oilfield injury cases. As mentioned above, not everyone has the experience or knowledge in this area of personal injury law to handle a fact-specific case for a severely injured client. We appreciate it when other lawyers acknowledge that they can’t take the case or need help. If you’re an attorney looking to refer a case or a client whose attorney doesn’t practice in this area, please contact us.
“No Better Friend” “No Worse Enemy” in Oilfield Injury Cases
Have you suffered a serious injury at an oilfield? Do you need help recovering the compensation that you deserve? Our success on behalf of injured clients shows why hardworking Texans trust us to fight for them. At Allen & Nunnally, we pride ourselves on maintaining a high level of preparation and discipline, which stems from our time in the Marines. To schedule a free personal injury consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, email us at info@allen-nunnally.com, use our convenient Contact Form, or call (713) 955-2217.