Oilfield Accident Lawyer in the Rio Grande Valley

How Amador Law Firm Helps Injured Oilfield Workers

Oil and gas companies and their corporate insurers maintain rapid-response legal teams that deploy to worksites immediately following an explosion, blowout, or equipment failure. Amador Law Firm levels the playing field for workers and families.

• Immediate site investigation and evidence preservation: We secure OSHA reports, well site maintenance records, equipment inspection logs, and eyewitness statements before evidence is altered or cleared.
• Identifying all liable third parties: Because oilfield sites involve multiple contractors, equipment vendors, and site owners, we look beyond basic workers' compensation to identify third-party negligence and tap into larger commercial liability policies.
• Stand up to corporate insurance adjusters: We manage all communications with high-stakes corporate adjusters, shielding you from aggressive pressure to accept lowball settlements or give recorded statements.
• Comprehensive calculation of total losses: We work with medical specialists, vocational experts, and financial analysts to calculate the full cost of your current medical bills, future surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and lifetime lost earning capacity.

What You Need to Know After a South Texas Oilfield Accident

If you are injured in any oilfield accident, taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and your legal claim.

• Stop working immediately: Even if your injuries seem relatively minor, stop working right away to avoid further physical harm. 
• Report your injuries: Report the incident to your manager, supervisor, or the person in charge as soon as possible. 
• Document the scene: If you are physically able, take photos of your injuries, the equipment involved, and the area of the worksite where the accident occurred. 
• Seek independent medical care: Request a thorough medical examination and follow-up care from a doctor of your choice. Choosing your own doctor is extremely important in these circumstances, as your employer will likely try to send you to one of their in-house or affiliated doctors. These doctors are working to save your employer money and may not necessarily act in your best interest.
• Watch what you say: Keep in mind that anything you say to your employer, site manager, or insurance adjuster can, and likely will, be used against you. Avoid making unnecessary statements, answering questions, or giving recorded statements. 
• Consult an experienced lawyer: Before signing any paperwork or accepting a payout, contact Amador Law Firm. After evaluating the facts of your case, we will help you understand your legal options and advise on the most strategic course of action. 

Recovering Damages in a South Texas Oilfield Accident Lawsuit

In most circumstances, you have two years from the date of an oilfield accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. If an oilfield accident results in a tragic fatality, surviving family members generally have two years from the date of the victim's passing to file a wrongful death claim. 

Your employer or site operator may work to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. They will most likely attempt to offer as little as possible, and we will only settle if you stand to recover the full amount needed to cover your losses. 

Depending on the details of your claim, a successful lawsuit can help you recover compensation for: 

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical pain and mental suffering 
• Disfigurement and permanent disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages (in cases involving severe safety violations or gross negligence) 

Understanding Comparative Fault in Texas

If your employer or a contractor argues that you were partially responsible for the accident, the court will evaluate your share of the responsibility and assign a percentage of fault. Under Texas law, you can still recover damages if you are partially responsible, but your share of the blame will reduce your total award. 

For example, if the court determines you were 10% responsible and your total damages equal $100,000, your recovery would be $90,000. If your level of fault exceeds 50%, you will be barred from recovering compensation. 

Attorney Amador knows how to build compelling cases to aggressively refute claims of partial responsibility and fight to maximize your recovery.