What To Do After an Oilfield Accident or Explosion in New Mexico | New Mexico Attorneys

Each year, dozens of oilfield workers are injured in New Mexico, and studies suggest that these injuries are on the rise. While the current oil boom has brought jobs and economic prosperity to Artesia, New Mexico, the demand for oil has also led to an increase in workplace accidents—some of which have resulted in serious injury or even death. If you’ve suffered from an Artesia oilfield injury, you may be wondering what to do after an oilfield accident or explosion in New Mexico. Fortunately, the knowledgeable Artesia accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to help. Read on to learn what to do—and what not to do—in the wake of your oilfield injury.

No matter the cause of your accident, there are particular steps you need to take in order to increase your chances of winning your personal injury claim, should you decide to go that route. These steps are as follows:

The first thing you must do after sustaining your Artesia oilfield injury is inform your supervisor about what happened. Your failure to report the accident could lead to your termination, or could mean that you are ineligible for compensation later. When reporting the accident, it’s important to be detailed and honest—and make sure you report all of your symptoms and injuries, even those you might think are minor. Sometimes, injured employees fail to report some of their pain symptoms because they are initially rather mild; however, if the pain worsens and was not reported, you may not be prevented from receiving further compensation.

The next (or first, depending on the severity of your injury) step is to receive medical attention and get a diagnosis. You may be required to go to a physician chosen by your employer, but you have the right to get a second opinion if you are dissatisfied with the care offered by the first doctor. After you’ve received a diagnosis, keep track of all medical paperwork relating to your injury. If you decide to file a claim later, these documents will be crucial to helping your Artesia accident lawyer determine the value of your total damages.

If your injuries are visible, take photos of them. Also, write down the names of any witnesses to your accident, and write down everything you remember. This will also greatly assist your New Mexico oilfield accident attorney later.

Another mistake that too many victims make is not following their doctor’s orders. Missed checkups, failure to properly take medication, or going against your doctor’s advice are all things that insurers or defense attorneys may use against you by arguing that your injuries are your own fault, or that you are not as injured as you claim to be. That’s why it’s so important that you follow your doctor’s instructions as closely as possible.

In many cases, the initial settlement offer from the company’s insurer will be too low. That’s why you should never accept a settlement before discovering the true value of your injury claim with the help of a qualified attorney. The right lawyer can help you determine whether or not the settlement you’ve been offered is fair, and can help you decide whether or not to pursue further legal action.

If you’re ready to speak to an experienced, compassionate lawyer with decades of experience handling oilfield accident claims, call our Carabin Shaw office serving Artesia, New Mexico today at 915-779-2301. We offer all new clients a free initial consultation with a lawyer, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with a New Mexico oilfield accident attorney today and finding out how we can help.