Oil companies are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment for their employees. When preventable injuries occur on the job site, hiring an experienced oilfield accident attorney can be your best option to obtain maximum workers’ compensation. At Rodriguez & Associates, our oilfield accident attorneys can help you navigate the challenging process of filing a tort claim, differentiate options associated with labor unions and workers’ compensation, and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your family. Our attorneys go above and beyond to offer our clients guidance, advocacy, and support from case evaluation through trial, if necessary.
Continue reading to learn more about the specific guidance and resources an oilfield accident attorney can provide in the event of a workplace injury.
Navigate Workers’ Compensation
Every state is governed by different workers’ compensation laws requiring significant paperwork and an applied understanding of necessary legal actions. California allows injured workers to file both a personal injury lawsuit in conjunction with a workers’ compensation claim, with each claim being individually assessed by the state. Working with a personal injury firm that has experience navigating the bureaucratic nuances of state laws and exceptions will ensure proper filing.
When seeking damages in an oilfield accident our attorneys will work with the California Department of Health Care Services to ensure all claim specifics are met and you receive the damages and compensation you are entitled to.
Conduct an Independent Investigation
While the oilfield company you work for, insurance companies, and state organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may conduct investigations following an incident on the oilfield work site, it is important for your legal team to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, taking into account the specific details that led to the incident and what caused injuries to occur. The key difference in these investigations is that the firm that represents you should have your best interests in mind and pursue leads that uncover issues with regulations, management, equipment, maintenance, and the environment.
Having a clear and explicit understanding of the circumstances that allowed injury to occur and the evidence to substantiate liability is essential to your claim. Rodriguez & Associates conducts thorough private investigations into various forms of oilfield negligence, collaborating with expert witnesses with advanced understandings of mechanics among other specialties. Our firm is privileged to have a network of skilled experts available to evaluate your situation and assist in determining liability.
Determine Liability
Oilfield companies and partners who supply machines, equipment, and products are responsible for the safety of their employees and the safety of their products. Appropriate training, personal protective equipment, and quality assurance safeguards are key to maintaining a safe work environment. Incident investigations can provide evidence that identifies at-fault parties in an oilfield accident ranging from negligent management and improper training of a crew to a faulty part or poorly maintained machinery.
Determining which parties are at fault in an oilfield accident can be challenging as worksites employ multiple companies, contractors, and other subsidiaries at a time. Evidence may find that multiple individuals or companies share liability, or fault, in your injury including:
- Company management
- Company ownership
- Equipment or product manufacturers
- Trucking companies
- Maintenance machinists
Evaluate Your Legal Options
Rodriguez & Associates is home to some of the top trial attorneys in Kern County who can help you understand and evaluate the legal options for your case. When companies refuse to meet the needs of our clients and accept their responsibility for negligence, we are not afraid to pursue trial to hold them accountable.
With more multi-million dollar verdicts than any other law firm in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, and numerous record-setting results, our team has the resources and ability to take your case to trial if need be. We strive to meet the needs of our clients and ensure they receive complete compensation for their injuries.
Rodriguez & Associates trial attorney Jefferson Eberhardt has extensive experience in labor law and workers’ compensation. His background in defense cases grants him a unique perspective in the firm’s oilfield accident casework. In addition, Daniel Rodriguez, founder and president of the firm, has personal experience working on oilfields and understands the bureaucratic challenges associated with the line of work, and the dangerous conditions oilfield workers navigate daily.
Contact an Oilfield Accident Attorney
Rodriguez & Associates has successfully taken on corporations within the oil and gas industry for decades. If you have been seriously injured on an oilfield site you need the trusted care of an oilfield accident attorney. Contact Rodriguez & Associates today for a free evaluation of our claim and initiate the road to physical and financial recovery.