Oilfields can be a very dangerous place, particularly for the workers who spend their time in or around them on a daily basis. Injury accidents are unfortunately common in Hobbs oilfields. Workers are particularly at risk if proper safety procedures are not in place or are not enforced.
At Parnall Law Firm, our Hobbs oilfield accident lawyers fight for the compensation you need and deserve. To discuss a specific oilfield injury that you’ve suffered, contact our law firm right away for a free consultation.
Causes of Oilfield Injuries in Hobbs
For many employees, oilfield work can be a grueling and demanding job that puts them at risk of injury on a daily basis.
Some commonly reported oilfield accidents include:
- Fires
- Explosions
- Struck-by accidents
- Structural collapses
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Electrocution
- Truck and other vehicle accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
These accidents may stem from inadequate training of workers, improper management practices, or other forms of negligence. In some cases, negligence on the part of property owners, contractors, or parts and equipment manufacturers could also lead to a severe injury accident.
Types of Oilfield Injuries in Hobbs
Accidents involving heavy machinery or other mechanical failures could result in severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head and neck injuries
- Burns from fires or chemicals
- Electrocution
- Back and spine injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Eye injuries and loss of vision
- Hearing loss
- Amputation or disfigurement
- Broken bones or fractures
- Puncture wounds or lacerations
It is also possible that an oilfield worker could be killed in an accident on the job. When this occurs, the family of the deceased worker will usually have the right to seek compensation in the form of survivor’s benefits from workers’ compensation coverage, or a wrongful death claim against a negligent third party.
Who is Liable for Oilfield Accidents in Hobbs?
It is the responsibility of employers to provide workers with adequate training in both the use of equipment and safety procedures to prevent accidents in the fields. They should also actively monitor chemicals and provide workers with the proper head, eye, and respiratory protection to minimize illness and injury.
Injured workers are usually entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for oilfield injuries regardless of who was to blame for the accident. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means that a claimant doesn’t have to show that the employer did anything wrong to cause the accident. In fact, an injured worker can still receive workers’ compensation benefits even if the worker was at fault for the accident.
In some cases, it may be possible to bring a third-party negligence claim against someone other than the injured worker’s employer or co-workers. For example, if a truck driver employed by another company injured a worker in a crash, the worker may be able to pursue compensation in a third-party claim.
How Can Parnall Law Help Me?
If you sustained serious injuries or your loved one was killed in an oilfield accident in the greater Hobbs area of New Mexico, don’t wait until it is too late to take legal action to protect yourself and your family. The Parnall Law Firm helps oilfield workers with workers’ compensation, personal injury, and third-party injury claims. Turn to us for the qualified legal assistance that you need.
