Is Your Texas Oilfield Employer a Non-Subscriber? What It Means for Your Injury Lawsuit

Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, the economies of Midland and Odessa are primarily driven by the oil and gas industry. Many residents in this Texas area work in the oil fields, where accidents and injuries are common. Oilfield injuries can be severe, ranging from broken bones to severe burns and even fatalities. Where do you turn when you are injured and unable to work and make a living for your family?

The Texas oilfield accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw help accident victims answer that question. Whether your employer subscribes to workers’ compensation or is a non-subscriber, we will help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to provide free consultations in English or Spanish. Call us toll-free today at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to learn more.

Texas is the only state in the nation that does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. These companies, called non-subscribers, may opt out of workers’ comp for various reasons, such as:

• Saving money on the cost of insurance premiums
• Maintaining control over how injury claims are handled
• Avoiding Texas Department of Insurance regulatory oversight
• Creating their own injury benefit programs

Non-subscribers are more common in hazardous industries like oil and gas, because premiums for these companies can be exceptionally high. However, companies that opt out of workers’ compensation also forfeit the protections the insurance provides, including protection from lawsuits filed by injured employees and their attorneys.

If you work for a non-subscribing oilfield employer, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek damages for your injuries and related losses. A lawsuit requires your lawyer to show that your employer’s negligence led directly to your accident and injuries. Examples of oilfield negligence might include:

• Inadequate training of employees
• Failure to provide safety equipment
• Lack of warning about hazards
• Defective equipment or machinery
• Excessive work hours that lead to mistakes

It is critical to contact an oil rig accident lawyer right away to begin an investigation of your accident and hold your employer accountable for their contribution to your injuries. Your attorney will gather crucial evidence, such as photos of the scene, medical records, and eyewitness statements, to prove negligence and seek damages.

Non-subscribing employers give up some key defenses when they opt out of workers’ compensation insurance. For example, they cannot claim that the injured employee caused the injury or that the injured employee assumed the risk of the job to avoid paying damages. The inability of your employer to use these arguments significantly leverages your case and helps your attorney recover full damages on your behalf.

While workers’ compensation is limited to medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek these damages and much more under Texas law, such as:

• Loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Reduced quality of life

Your workplace injury lawyer will calculate your damages based on current expenses and predicted future losses. In addition to compensatory damages like medical bills and lost wages, you can see intangible losses that cover the impact of your accident on your life. Check out our law firm’s client reviews to see how we’ve maximized damages for accident victims like you.

An oilfield injury can leave you in severe pain, out of work, and unsure where to turn. If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, it can seem even more unlikely that you will receive the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and move forward with your life.

The lawyers at Carabin Shaw understand the feeling of helplessness that can plague accident victims and get in the way of their recovery. Our law firm is committed to helping accident victims seek justice and compensation for workplace injuries. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no money until we win your case. Call us today at 1-800-862-1260.

For more information:

• Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage
• Negligence
• Damages