What To Do If My Loved One Was Injured or Killed in an Oilfield Accident?

Chad Jones Law > What To Do If My Loved One Was Injured or Killed in an Oilfield Accident?

Getting Help for Oilfield Workers’ Families in Texas

A worker in a hard hat outside of an oil rig.

When something bad happens at an oilfield in Texas, like an accident or if someone gets hurt, families can feel scared and not sure what to do next. They might be worried about money because they need to pay for a hospital or because the person who got hurt can’t work for a while. For example, if a dad gets hurt at the oilfield, his family might need to pay for his medical bills and also need money for food and the house. But there’s a way to get help!

Families can ask for money from the people who didn’t keep the oilfield safe. And if they need someone to help them do this, they can call Chad Jones Law for a free case evaluation. We help families just like yours. We work very hard to make sure you get the money you need to take care of everything. 

If your loved one was injured or killed because of an oilfield accident, give us a call at (866)462-5224 and we’ll take care of you.

Our team works throughout West Texas, including:

Seeking Justice for Your Loved One

A family grieving the loss of a family member,

Families can seek compensation after the loss of a loved one due to an oilfield injury in Texas through several legal avenues:

  1. Worker’s Compensation: If the deceased was an employee covered by worker’s compensation insurance, their family may be entitled to benefits such as death benefits, which typically include a portion of the deceased worker’s wages and funeral expenses.
  2. Wrongful Death Lawsuit: If the injury and subsequent death were caused by negligence or misconduct, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties. This can include the employer, contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other entities whose actions contributed to the fatal accident.
  3. Product Liability Lawsuit: If the injury resulted from a defective product, such as faulty equipment or machinery, the family may pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product.
  4. Third-Party Liability: In some cases, there may be third parties, such as subcontractors or other companies working at the oilfield, whose negligence contributed to the accident. The family can seek compensation from these third parties through a personal injury lawsuit.
  5. Survival Action: Apart from wrongful death claims, Texas also allows for survival actions. This legal action is brought on behalf of the deceased person’s estate to recover damages that the deceased would have been entitled to if they had survived, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering.

What to Do If Someone Dies at the Oilfield

If a family loses a loved one in an oilfield accident due to someone’s mistake, they should act quickly. They can sue those responsible, like the employer or equipment makers, for wrongful death if negligence caused the accident.

This is called a wrongful death lawsuit. It’s important to contact an attorney fast because doing things quickly can help in getting the money families deserve.

Following a tragic oilfield accident or explosion in Texas, the loved ones left behind often receive workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits are typically directed towards the surviving spouse, minor children, and college-enrolled children under 25. Additionally, non-dependent parents may also be eligible for these benefits if there are no surviving dependents.

In Texas, dependents who have lost a loved one are entitled to approximately 75% of the deceased’s average weekly wages. However, there is a statutory weekly maximum of $895, even if this amount is less than 75% of the average weekly wage.

These benefits often aren’t enough to cover the full extent of monthly expenses. It’s important to recognize that workers’ compensation does not encompass all the damages that could be recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit. Such damages may include the loss of companionship, mental anguish, future medical costs, and various other losses that are available through legal action.

Don’t rely on the oilfield operator and its insurance company after a tragic accident. They prioritize profits, often delaying or denying valid claims. This can leave you struggling to cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, or costs for your children. Negotiating with them might not help much and could result in underpayment or denial of compensation, reducing your chances of getting full reimbursement for your losses.

Time Limits for Asking for Help

Book of Statute of Limitations and a gavel on a desk.

There’s a time limit for asking for help, called a statute of limitations. In Texas, families have two years from when the person died to ask for help. 

It’s important to start early so you don’t forget anything and have all the proof you need to show what happened and get help from the court.

How Families Can Get Money After an Accident

When a family faces the loss of a loved one due to an accident, understanding how they can receive financial support is crucial. 

The law provides various types of monetary compensation that families can pursue:

  1. Wrongful Death Damages: These are monetary awards intended to compensate for the loss of financial support, services, companionship, and guidance that the deceased would have provided to their family members.
  2. Funeral and Burial Expenses: Families can seek reimbursement for the costs associated with arranging and conducting the funeral and burial services for their loved one.
  3. Pain and Suffering: In some cases, families may be eligible to receive compensation for the emotional pain, suffering, and mental anguish they experience due to the loss of their loved one.
  4. Loss of Consortium: This type of compensation addresses the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy that surviving family members endure because of the death.
  5. Punitive Damages: In situations where the responsible party’s actions were especially reckless or malicious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

It’s really important to understand all this so families can get all the money they should.

Standing Up to Big Oil Companies

When families have to go up against big oil and gas companies after something bad happens, it can be tough. These companies are very big and have lots of money and smart people to help them. But families shouldn’t worry too much because if they find a really good lawyer like the ones at Chad Jones Law, they can still win and get money to help with their problems.

Getting the Most Money for Your Accident

Dealing with a loved one’s injury at work is incredibly tough, especially the pain of losing them. However, knowing the right steps can help you get more financial support to cope. It’s essential not to overlook any crucial details about the accident and ensure that those responsible acknowledge their role.

Identifying Responsible Parties

To maximize compensation, it’s important to identify everyone who might have contributed to the accident. This includes the operators of the oil rig, other companies on-site, or equipment manufacturers. It’s like solving a puzzle, and a skilled injury lawyer can assist in putting all the pieces together.

Securing Adequate Compensation

When discussing compensation with the oil company, they may initially offer less than what’s fair. It may require persistent negotiation to get the amount you deserve. Sometimes, negotiation resolves the issue, but other times, legal action becomes necessary. An experienced lawyer can guide you through this process to ensure you receive adequate compensation.

Chad Jones Law Can Help You

At Chad Jones Law, we care about people who get hurt working in oilfields and their families. We know it’s a big deal, and we want to help. 

If you or someone in your family got hurt at an oilfield and you don’t know what to do next, just pick up the phone and call (866)462-5224 for a free case evaluation. 

We are good at helping families like yours. We work very hard to make sure you get the money you need for doctor bills and everything else. Don’t wait—call Chad Jones Law and we’ll take care of everything for you!

Contact our West Texas Oilfield Injury Lawyers in Odessa, Big Spring, Lubbock, and Midland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the First Steps for an Oilfield Worker’s Family After an Accident?

When there’s an accident at the oilfield, the first thing to do is make sure the hurt person sees a doctor. Then, tell the boss about the accident and try to get evidence like photos or things from the place where it happened. It’s also a good idea to talk to a lawyer who knows about injuries to find out what to do next.

What if the Worker Helped Cause the Accident?

Even if the oilfield worker was a little bit to blame for the accident, they could still get some money to help with their injuries in Texas. But they might not get as much money if they were part of the reason the accident happened.

How Long to Ask for Help After Someone Dies in an Oilfield Accident?

In Texas, you have two years to ask for help after someone dies in an oilfield accident. But don’t wait too long. Talk to a lawyer quickly to make sure you’re doing everything right.

What Kinds of Help Can Families Get?

Families can get money to help pay for doctor bills, money they didn’t get because the worker can’t work anymore, and money for losing someone they love. If the company was careless, the family might get extra money to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Why Pick a Lawyer Who Knows About Oilfield Accidents?

Lawyers who know a lot about oilfield accidents are good at figuring out these tough cases. They understand all the rules and will work hard to get the family as much money as they can.

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