Texas is one of the states in the U.S. with the most offshore drilling operations and oil fields. That makes it one of the most important states in the country but sets a danger for the people working there.
Although they shouldn't be, oil rig workers are almost always at risk of suffering an accident. This happens because the companies in charge of conducting these operations care more about their profits than protecting their employees.
Therefore, they don't invest that much money in protective equipment for the oil rig workers there. While the legal process to file a personal injury claim against company owners is the same as in other cases, those businesses often have a strong team of lawyers to defend them.
If victims want to successfully file a personal injury lawsuit for a Texas oil rig explosion or any other kind of accident, they will need the best lawyer they can find.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can help victims looking for justice in Dallas, Texas. They should go to its website and contact it today to schedule a free case evaluation! Here, people can learn the core parts of the legal process needed to file a lawsuit against an oil and gas company. They can also assist with how to file a lawsuit for pedestrian accident in Texas.
Why Are Oil Rig Workers Exposed to Danger?
The main reason oil rig workers are exposed to danger while working is how dangerous it is to work around the machines they use. Amputation is one of the most common accidents that can happen in offshore oil rigs.
Many accidents include the victims cutting their fingers or other parts of their bodies accidentally. This could happen because their employers don't train them correctly or because the machines don't work as they should.
Exposure to all the substances in an oil rig can also lead to many illnesses. Employers should always let workers know of these dangers and give them protective equipment to avoid them.
Although it's less common, an oil rig explosion could also cause a lot of casualties among the personnel working in the rig. That could even lead to a class-action lawsuit from everyone working there.
What Can Cause an Oil Rig Explosion?
As mentioned before, it's not that common to see an oil rig explosion, but it's important to know it's a problem that can happen. Most times, it comes from fires, blowouts, or the use of improper medical substances in the rig.
Oil rig explosions can also happen due to the lack of expertise of the workers in the oil rig when using the machinery there. Equipment failure and improper maintenance can also cause this problem.
Most Common Injuries After Oil Rig Accidents
Amputation is one of the most common injuries that victims can suffer in oil rigs. Apart from that, people also show fractures, broken bones, head trauma, and even spinal cord injuries.
Things are different when a Texas oil rig explosion happens. Burns and lacerations are more present in this kind of accident.
How to File an Oil Rig Accident Lawsuit
Since oil and gas company owners often have a strong team of lawyers, victims will also need a decent attorney to represent them. The first thing to do after a Texas oil rig explosion, fall, or any other kind of accident is to get medical attention.
Doctors will treat the emergency, give a proper diagnosis, and start a possible treatment. The victim can ask the doctor to give them an estimate of how much money they will spend on medical bills until they fully recover from the accident. That is essential information for the claim.
Once the victim is safe, they can seek compensation by calling a lawyer. It's ideal to hire someone who has dealt with oil rig explosions or other offshore accident cases before. They will know how to manage the situation and how to prepare properly for the trial.
Now that the victim can seek compensation with the help of an experienced oil rig accident lawyer, they need to collect evidence against the negligent party. It's important to identify who is liable for everything since oil companies will almost always carry workers' compensation insurance and pay for the victim's compensation that way.
If the worker's employer denies the fair compensation the victim deserves or is not subscribed to workers' comp insurance, then the victim can proceed with the suit. The next step is to file a formal complaint against the liable party.
When the lawyer submits this complaint to the court, its process server will send a copy of it to the defendant. After that, the defendant will respond to the claim and start its own investigation.
The discovery phase is next. Once there, both parties make all the depositions they need for the case and share evidence. If they want to solve the case through an agreement, they can do it. The case will go to trial if they don't want to or fail to do so.
What Serves as Evidence of an Oil Rig Accident?
Many things can serve as evidence in an oil rig accident. That includes pictures, video, witness statements, and medical records. This applies to oil rig explosions, falls, and others.
How Much Compensation Can Victims Get for an Oil Rig Accident Lawsuit?
The money victims receive after a trial depends on how expensive their medical expenses and other losses are. Texas has a $200,000 cap for economic damages and a $750,000 one for non-economic losses.
Differences Between Workers' Comp and Personal Injury Claims
Making a workers' compensation claim is not the same as filing a personal injury one. When talking about workers' comp, the victim doesn't need to prove the other party's liability for what happened, as the company will cover it directly through insurance coverage. These benefits are limited too.
Personal injury claims are different. They often need the victim to make a third-party lawsuit and prove they were liable for what happened.
Can Any Lawyer Take an Oil Rig Accident Case?
They can, but they shouldn't. Seeking compensation in an oil rig case is often more difficult than in other cases, so it's better for attorneys experienced on the matter to take care of everything. They can also provide assistance with how to file a lawsuit for construction accident in Texas.
Final Thoughts - File a Personal Injury Claim with Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys!
On-the-job accidents are more common than they should be, and they happen due to the negligence of employers who don't care about their workers. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is a law firm committed to giving victims the justice they deserve. Hence, any injured worker in Dallas, TX, can call today to schedule a free consultation.
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