Oilfield and Industrial Accident Claims in the Laredo Area: Texas Worker Rights & Legal Options

Workplace accidents in the oilfield industry are frequently catastrophic, causing severe injuries and fatalities that impact workers and their families in the Laredo area. Workers have a right to a reasonably safe workplace, and when they suffer harm because of negligence, they have the right to compensation for their injuries. A lawyer from Carabin Shaw can help you understand your legal options.

Call toll-free 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to schedule a free case review. We have English- and Spanish-speaking staff ready to speak with you 24/7. Laredo industrial accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw offer compassionate legal advice and help to negotiate a fair settlement. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

There are many oil and gas companies in Webb County. Laredo, Texas, and much of the county rests atop the oil-rich Eagle Ford Shale formation, so multiple companies explore, drill, process, and distribute fossil fuels here.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) associates several hazards with oil and gas extraction. These include:

• Falls
• Fires and explosions
• Vehicle collisions
• Struck-by or caught-between accidents
• Confined spaces
• High-pressure lines

OSHA has issued recommendations to prevent injuries in the oil and gas industry, but accidents still happen, often because of negligence. Hiring a local lawyer can help victims get full compensation for economic and noneconomic damages.

A Laredo workplace injury lawyer will evaluate your compensable damages to determine how much you should demand in a workplace injury claim. In a personal injury lawsuit, Texas allows victims to pursue the following:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Loss of income and benefits
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Disfigurement
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of life’s enjoyment
• Other related losses

It is important that your lawyer has access to medical records, receipts, and any evidence that substantiates your claim. Keeping a journal of your injuries and their impact on your day-to-day life can be useful in determining noneconomic losses like pain and suffering.

Employers in workplace injury lawsuits that go to trial may also face the threat of punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. In Texas, these “exemplary damages” face limitations depending on state rules and case specifics. Your attorney does not calculate punitive damages, and they are in addition to compensable damages.

When a case involves workers’ compensation insurance, it may be the only option available to an injured worker. That’s because it is legally the “exclusive remedy” available to employees when an employer carries a policy.

Although workers’ compensation frequently eliminates the opportunity for an attorney to file a formal lawsuit, the families of a deceased worker can file a lawsuit against an employer if the death was a result of gross negligence. The insurance coverage also rarely protects third parties, such as subcontractors or suppliers.

A Laredo oilfield accident lawyer from Carabin Shaw will consider all your legal options for financial remedies after a workplace accident. Read our law firm’s client reviews to find out more about how we’ve helped clients manage insurance and legal claims, so they could pursue the fairest compensation available.

Hiring a Laredo work injury attorney who is well-versed in oilfield industrial work accident claims allows you to get the most compensation for severe injuries that can have lasting negative impacts on victims and their families. Choosing an oilfield accident lawyer in Texas doesn’t have to be difficult. Contact Carabin Shaw today to schedule a free case review, and protect your right to work injury compensation. We will help you understand your legal options, so you can get the compensation you deserve.

For more information:

• Railroad Commission of Texas
• OSHA
• Texas Statutes 41