Industrial Accident Injuries in West Texas: What Workers Need to Know About Their Legal Rights

Industrial work in West Texas, especially in Midland and Odessa, is vital to our energy and construction sectors, but also carries serious risk. Industrial accidents tend to result in severe injuries for workers. Winning compensation with the help of a lawyer can be the only way for injured workers to finance their recoveries.

The oil and gas injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw know this well. That is why we have been winning cases for injured workers like you since 1992. We even offer a free case review, so nothing gets in the way of you winning the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to learn more today!

Industrial workers in Midland and Odessa face a wide array of potential hazards in the workplace. Whether in oilfields, refineries, factories, or construction sites, workers can suffer serious or even fatal industrial accident injuries in West Texas. Some of the most common types of industrial accidents are:

• Falls
• Electrocutions
• Struck-by accidents
• Caught in/between accidents
• Explosions
• Chemical exposure
• Vehicle accidents
• Repetitive stress injuries

All workers have the right to a reasonably safe workplace. While some workplace accidents are unavoidable, many are caused by the negligence of one or more parties who owe a duty of care to workers on site. When negligence causes an accident, injured workers can work with a West Texas workplace injury lawyer to hold negligent parties liable for the consequences of that accident. Some examples of negligence that can lead to liability in industrial accidents are:

• Lack of proper safety training
• Failure to follow safety regulations
• Inadequate supervision
• Poor hiring practices
• Failure to maintain equipment
• Overworking or understaffing crews
• Ignoring prior complaints

Injured industrial workers have three main options for accident compensation. Health insurance claims and workers’ compensation are the two most obvious options, but both of these come with significant drawbacks. Both options can limit victims’ choice of healthcare providers. Health insurance can have high deductibles and copays. Accepting workers’ compensation benefits prevents victims from holding negligent parties accountable in lawsuits and provides only partial wage replacement. Furthermore, Texas is the only state that does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, so some workers may not have the option at all.

Victims who want to maximize their compensation, hold negligent parties accountable, and choose their healthcare providers freely should work with a West Texas industrial accident lawyer to sue liable parties for damages. Damages are used to determine how much compensation victims can seek in personal injury suits, and they account for both the financial and emotional impact of an accident.

Some common forms of damages you may qualify for are:

• Reimbursement of medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of benefits
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of companionship
• Wrongful death

Working with an experienced construction site, factory, and oilfield injury lawyer is the best way to ensure positive results for your claim. Your attorney will build you the strongest possible case and maximize the compensation you receive. The benefits of working with a lawyer are not limited to the courtroom. Your attorney can help gather evidence for you, handle correspondence, negotiate insurance claims on your behalf, and provide invaluable guidance and emotional support.

Our attorneys at Carabin Shaw have been fighting for workplace injury victims for over three decades. To hear from some of the Texans we have already helped, check out our law firm’s client reviews. We even offer a free case review to get you started. Just contact us online or give us a toll-free call at 1-800-862-1260, where our English and Spanish-speaking staff is available 24/7.

We know that winning the funds you deserve is essential to getting your personal finances back on track after your accident. That is why, at Carabin Shaw, we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis. You owe us nothing up front, and we need to win your case to earn your fee. With no risk and no up-front payment, there is no reason to delay. Call Carabin Shaw today!

For more information:

• Texas Department of Insurance
• Texas Statutes 40