Hobbs Oilfield Injury Attorneys

Workers in the oil and gas business are more likely to suffer severe injuries than workers in any other industry. Long-term workers in this sector witness these injuries, and they are all too aware of the dangers they face each day they clock in.

Most of these hazards are out of the worker’s control, though others are potentially preventable by employers and third parties.

Blowouts and Explosions

Blowouts occur when pressurized oil, gas, or drilling fluids escape uncontrolled from a well. These incidents can trigger massive explosions and fires that cause:

• Severe burn injuries requiring extensive reconstructive surgery
• Traumatic brain injuries from blast impact
• Respiratory injuries from inhaling toxic fumes
• Multiple bone fractures and internal injuries
• Wrongful death

Equipment Failures and Malfunctions

The complex machinery used in oil and gas operations requires constant maintenance and proper operation. When equipment fails due to defective design, inadequate maintenance, or improper use, workers can suffer severe injuries.

Transportation Accidents

An oil patch may require near-constant movement of personnel, equipment, and materials. Transportation-related accidents include:

• Commercial vehicle crashes
• Helicopter accidents 
• Heavy equipment collisions
• Forklift and crane accidents
• Pipeline vehicle strikes

If you were injured because of a work-related crash, one of our Hobbs oilfield accident attorneys will seek fair compensation for all of your damages.

Toxic Exposure 

Oilfield workers regularly encounter hazardous chemicals and substances that can cause immediate injury or long-term health problems.

Falls

Oilfield operations often require workers to perform tasks at dangerous elevations, which can lead to:

• Falls from drilling rigs and derricks
• Ladder and scaffolding accidents
• Tank and vessel fall injuries
• Catwalk and platform incidents
• Improper safety harness failures

Though we call them “accidents,” circumstances that lead to workplace injuries often result directly from negligence, laziness, intentional corner-cutting, and other failings. Such failures may be the basis for Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers to secure substantial compensation for you.

We help injured oil workers secure the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to. In many cases, though, these benefits just aren’t enough—and they may not have to be all the compensation you settle for.

One of the most important aspects of oilfield accident cases is identifying all potentially liable third parties beyond your direct employer. 

Potentially Liable Third Parties in Oilfield Accidents

Your Hobbs oilfield accident lawyer from our team will approach your case with a broad lens. We will identify every party who may be liable for your injuries, or your loved one’s wrongful death, and those parties may include:

• Equipment manufacturers
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Transportation companies
• Property owners and operators
• Service companies

Many hands participate in making an oilfield work, and many hands may be involved in making an oilfield become dangerous.

Oilfield accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that forever change a worker’s life and erode their family’s financial security. Our oilfield accident attorneys understand that the full impact of these injuries extends far beyond immediate medical bills, and generally falls into two categories:

Economic Damages

Economic damages primarily focus on financial impact, and examples include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Home and vehicle modifications
• The cost of replacing damaged property

These damages can be utterly devastating, but they only tell half the story of the cost of an oilfield accident.

Non-Economic Damages

When you think of non-economic damages, money is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. Think of:

• Physical pain
• Mental anguish (which can include post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Emotional distress
• Less ability to enjoy life
• Disfigurement (such as scarring) 
• Loss of consortium (which is damage to interpersonal relationships, generally romantic ones)

These kinds of harm transcend money, and yet we will use financial terms to ensure your settlement or verdict reflects such damages.

When you’re injured in an oilfield accident, the legal process becomes as complicated as the industrial operations where you were hurt. Leave everything related to insurance claims and lawsuits to us, as this is our domain.

We will ensure that you don’t have to worry about:

Case Strategy

Your attorney will begin by conducting a thorough analysis of both your workers’ compensation claim and potential third-party liability. Key areas your attorney will evaluate include:

• Workers’ compensation benefits
• Third-party liability claims
• Employer liability exceptions
• Multiple defendant scenarios

Our oilfield accident lawyers serving Hobbs are creative, fast-thinking, and determined to formulate a tailor-made strategy that is ideal for your case.

Securing the Evidence We Need to Prove Negligence

Oilfield accident scenes are unique in that evidence can be rapidly altered, repaired, or destroyed in the normal course of operations. Essential evidence your lawyer will seek may include:

• Operational records such as drilling logs, mud reports, pressure readings, and daily operations summaries 
• Safety documentation, which may consist of OSHA inspection reports, safety meeting records, and incident histories
• Equipment data that may help identify potential equipment failures or defects
• Communication records, which may include radio transmissions, text messages, and shift change reports
• Physical evidence, such as damaged equipment, failed components, and samples from the accident site 

We have the personnel and resources to document the oilfield,and other relevant sites and items, right away.

Engaging Technical Experts

Oilfield accident cases can benefit immeasurably from experts who understand the complex technical aspects of oil and gas operations. Your Hobbs oilfield accident attorney may assemble a team of highly qualified engineers and other experts who can reconstruct the accident, identify safety violations, and provide compelling testimony about how proper procedures could have prevented your injuries.

Comprehensive Damage Documentation and Calculation

Your lawyer will work with medical professionals, industry experts, and economists to fully document and calculate your damages. In oilfield cases, injuries are often severe and career-ending, requiring sophisticated analysis to ensure all future damages are properly valued and included in your claim.

Fighting for Fair Compensation

Throughout your case, your attorney will handle all negotiations with insurance companies, employers, and defendants’ legal teams. Oil companies and their insurers often have substantial resources and experienced legal representation, making it necessary that you have the same—that’s precisely how our firm will benefit you.

We have secured life-changing financial recoveries many times by:

• Building Maximum Leverage: Your attorney will present compelling evidence of liability (and prove the full scope of your damages) to strengthen our negotiating position.
• Challenging Lowball Offers: We will advise you to refuse inadequate settlements and allow us to push aggressively for full compensation.
• Preparing for Trial: Your lawyer will develop a courtroom strategy, and we will deploy that strategy if settlement negotiations don’t produce a fair offer.
• Communicating Progress to You: Your lawyer will keep you informed throughout the process while handling all legal communications with opposing parties.

Your oilfield accident attorney serves as your advocate, investigator, and voice throughout this challenging legal process, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable while you focus on your recovery.

Keeping Tabs on the Time-Sensitive Aspects of Your Case

Both Texas and New Mexico impose strict time limits for filing personal injury lawsuits. Generally, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim, but certain circumstances can shorten or extend this deadline. While we will keep close watch over these deadlines, it’s vital to contact our oilfield accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident.