Carlsbad Oil Rig Injury Attorney

Oil field and oil rig workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Not only do they work with highly flammable materials, but they also operate dangerous machinery that is both massive and complicated. Even when a worker is well-trained, well-rested, and working with properly maintained equipment, accidents can still happen. Injuries are even more likely when workers are under less-than-ideal conditions.

Here in New Mexico, we are no strangers to the dangers that oil field workers face every day, especially in areas around Carlsbad. News outlets regularly report on Carlsbad oil field workers injured by falling off a rig or in an oil field explosion or in oil truck accidents.

Beyond the short media snippets, many of us (including those working in the Carlsbad oil field) might be largely unaware of the variety of oil field injuries that occur, the causes of these injuries, and the legal options available to injured workers and their families under New Mexico law.

If you’ve suffered oil field injuries while working in the Carlsbad area, contact Parnall Law Firm promptly. Our compassionate and competent Carlsbad oil rig injury attorney have a 20-plus-year track record of obtaining a full range of compensation for our clients. Reach out to us by online chat, using our online contact form, or call us to schedule a free consultation now.

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Common Carlsbad Oil Field Injuries

Injuries sustained in oil fields range in severity from scrapes and bruises to untimely deaths. Oil field workers operate heavy machinery that can easily chop off a limb, work in trenches and tunnels that can collapse, stand on oil rigs they can fall off of, and are surrounded by materials that can catch fire or explode.

Some of the many oil field injuries that are commonly sustained include:

Severed fingers and other body parts
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chemical burns
Respiratory damage from inhaling toxic fumes
Crushed or amputated limbs
Blunt force trauma
Traumatic brain injuries

Bone fractures
Back and neck injuries
Hearing loss
Loss of vision
Lacerations
Puncture wounds

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What Causes Oil and Gas Injuries in Carlsbad?

Oil field accidents are not acts of chance; avoidable risks and negligence cause them. Oil field accidents are not random; they result from avoidable risks and negligence. The oil and gas extraction industry carries significant occupational risks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry had a nonfatal injury and illness rate of 1.7 per 100 full-time workers in 2022. The employee fatality rate continues to be well above the national average for all industries.

Common causes of oil field injuries in Carlsbad include:

Lack of Proper Training – Many oil field jobs require technical expertise, and workers without adequate training may mishandle equipment or fail to recognize hazardous conditions. Poor training leads to a higher probability of serious accidents, such as explosions, falls, and equipment malfunctions.
Lack of supervision – A well-supervised work environment helps maintain compliance with safety standards. When supervisors fail to monitor operations or enforce safety protocols, workers may take unnecessary risks or neglect proper procedures, increasing the chance of injuries.
Failure to follow safety protocols – The oil industry has strict regulations for a reason. Ignoring procedures such as proper shutdown sequences, equipment lockouts, and hazardous material handling can lead to dangerous situations. Employers who fail to enforce these standards put their workers at serious risk.
Poorly maintained equipment – Heavy machinery and drilling equipment require regular inspections and maintenance. When maintenance schedules are neglected, equipment can malfunction, leading to catastrophic accidents, including crush injuries, fires, or mechanical failures that jeopardize worker safety.
Defective machinery – Even properly maintained equipment can fail if it is poorly designed or manufactured. Defective drilling rigs, pipelines, and safety gear can cause serious injuries. When equipment malfunctions due to a design flaw, manufacturers may be held liable for resulting accidents.
Deferred maintenance – Some companies delay necessary repairs to cut costs, which can create serious hazards. Operating with worn-out cables, failing pressure systems, or leaking gas lines increases the risk of fires, explosions, and structural collapses, putting workers in extreme danger.
Flawed policies or procedures – Poorly developed workplace policies, such as inadequate emergency response plans or inconsistent enforcement of safety rules, can contribute to accidents. Employers are responsible for establishing clear, effective procedures that minimize risk.
Fatigue and Overwork – Long shifts in high-pressure environments lead to exhaustion, impairing decision-making, coordination, and reaction times. Oil field workers often endure long shifts in high-pressure environments, and exhaustion can lead to errors that cause serious injuries, such as falling asleep while operating heavy machinery.
Trench Collapses – Trenches are essential in many oil field operations, but without proper reinforcement, they can cave in, trapping workers under tons of debris. This type of accident often results in severe injuries or fatalities.

Steps to Take After an Oil Field Accident

If you’ve been injured in an oil field accident, taking immediate action is crucial to protect both your health and legal rights.

Get medical attention immediately, even if you have no visible injuries. Some conditions, like internal bleeding or head trauma, may not show symptoms right away. Some injuries, such as head trauma or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away but can become severe if left untreated.
Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible to ensure the accident is officially documented. Delaying the report could give your employer or their insurance company grounds to dispute your claim.
Document the accident thoroughly by photographing your injuries, the scene, and any faulty equipment. If coworkers witnessed the incident, collect their contact details and statements for future reference.
Follow your company’s official accident reporting procedures and keep a copy of the incident report for your records.
Avoid discussing fault with your employer, coworkers, or insurance representatives. Any statements you make could be used against you later.
Consult a Carlsbad oil rig injury lawyer with experience in handling oil field accident cases. A skilled attorney can protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and help you secure the full compensation you deserve.

When to Contact a Lawyer After an Oil Field Accident in Carlsbad?

If you find yourself asking these questions after an oil field incident, it is time to contact a New Mexico oil field accident lawyer today for answers.

What happens to an oil field worker who is injured on the job?
Am I entitled to collect compensation for my injuries?
And what about the family of a Carlsbad oil field worker who dies in an oil field accident?
Are they legally entitled to collect monetary damages for their loss?

It is critical that you consult with our attorneys straight away so we can explain your legal rights and options. Our experienced lawyers can quickly review the facts of your case and advise you about whether pursuing a claim for compensation would be beneficial given your unique circumstances.

Possible Claims Our Workplace Injuries May Pursue

Having our knowledgeable oil field injury attorneys by your side is important because there are a few different and often complicated paths to recovering compensation after an oil field accident, such as:

A Workers’ Compensation Claim – In New Mexico, many employees are able to collect workers’ compensation payments under a state-regulated system if they sustain a work-related injury or illness. A workers’ compensation claim differs from a personal injury lawsuit in a number of different ways. Most notably, an injured employee does not need to prove any wrongdoing on the part of their employer to collect workers’ compensation benefits. An injured worker may collect benefits even if they were at fault for the accident. However, workers’ compensation benefits are limited by law and may not cover all losses.
A Personal Injury Claim – If you were injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness – someone other than your employer or co-workers – you may be entitled to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Typically, a legal complaint alleges that someone owed you a duty of care that they failed to live up to and, as a result, you were injured. For example, if you were working in an oil field and were badly injured in a crash with a truck driver who worked for a different company, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the driver and their employer.
A Wrongful Death Claim – A wrongful death lawsuit is a claim for compensation filed by a family member after losing a close relative due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. If your loved one sustained an injury in the oil field that led to their untimely death, you may be entitled to collect monetary compensation from the responsible party or parties either through a lawsuit or workers’ compensation death benefits.

What type of compensation you may get?

Liability in an oil field accident depends on which party was responsible for enforcing safety measures and preventing hazards.

Oil Companies – If an oil company does not install safety devices, does not provide proper training, or maintains equipment, they are liable for damage sustained by workers.
Third-Party Contractors – Most operations in an oil field include subcontractors who are tasked to perform specific tasks. If the negligence of a contractor led to your injury, they can be held liable for the damages.
Equipment Manufacturers – If defective or malfunctioning equipment utilized in the accident resulted in your injury, the manufacturer is liable under product liability law.
Property Owners – If an oil field is located on private property, the owner of the property could be held responsible for the risk or danger on the property.
Colleagues and Managers – Occasionally, a co-worker’s negligence—such as heavy equipment being driven by a worker who has not received adequate training—leads to an accident.

A lawyer handling oil rig accidents in Carlsbad can conduct an exhaustive analysis of your case in order to identify the negligent parties so that you may file claims against all negligent parties.

What Kind of Compensation Might Be Available to You?

If you were injured in an oil field accident, you might be entitled to different forms of compensation depending on the nature and extent of your injury and the details of your case. You may receive compensation for medical expenses, including emergency room care, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment until full recovery.

Compensation for lost wages is also available, including both time missed from work due to the injury as well as continuing lost wages in the case the injury leads to a failure to return to work. Pain and suffering damages are recoverable as well for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident.

Families of oil field accident victims may be eligible for wrongful death benefits, including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is usually three years from the accident. But depending on the type of claim you are filing:

Workers’ Compensation Claims – If your injury is eligible for workers’ compensation, you will usually have one year from the accident date to file.
Personal Injury Lawsuits – If your injury resulted from a third party’s negligence, you typically have three years to file a lawsuit.
Wrongful Death Claims – If your family member passed away due to an oil field accident, the surviving kin have three years to file a wrongful death suit.

Since deadlines are strict, it is crucial to take action immediately. Delaying your claim can weaken your case, as witnesses may forget details, and evidence can become harder to collect. To safeguard your right to compensation, a Carlsbad oil rig injury attorney will ensure all paperwork is filed on time.

Contact Our Carlsbad Oil Rig Injury Attorney Now

If you have suffered oil rig injuries, oil field injuries, or have been harmed in an oil truck accident in Carlsbad or elsewhere in New Mexico, contact our law office as soon as possible. At Parnall Law, headed by New Mexico native Bert Parnall, we are proud to take on cases of injured oilfield workers.

Even if you are unsure if you are entitled to bring a claim, the best way to find out is by speaking with a seasoned litigator who regularly handles these cases. While our goal is to negotiate a full and fair settlement on your behalf, our legal professionals prepare each case as if it is headed to court.

To discuss your legal rights with one of our experienced and dedicated Carlsbad oil rig injury lawyer during a free, confidential consultation, contact us by live chat, by filling out our online contact form, or by calling or texting us now.

Bertrand Russell Parnall

Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.

Years of Experience: 27+ years

Justia Profile: Bert Parnall

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