DeKalb County Oilfield Accident Lawyers

Fighting for Injury Victims in Oil and Gas Industrial Accidents

Employment in the oil and gas industry is difficult work. Still, those who are employed in the field take pride in many benefits they provide for their fellow citizens. Unfortunately, working in the industry is also incredibly dangerous. In fact, persons in certain positions have a substantially higher risk of serious injury or death. If you or a loved one has been involved in an incident, a DeKalb County oilfield accident lawyer may be able to help.

At Eshman Begnaud, LLC, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers is committed to justice. If you work with our law firm, we’ll commit ourselves to securing a favorable outcome on your behalf. In some situations, we can negotiate a fair settlement that results in compensation without going to trial. However, we also provide aggressive representation inside the courtroom when necessary. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Doesn’t Workers’ Compensation Cover Oilfield Employees?

When someone is injured at work in Georgia, they’re typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In fact, you may find yourself in a position where your employer is urging you to seek these benefits. Unfortunately, they occasionally do this because they fear a potential lawsuit. While workers’ comp laws are meant to reduce litigation, they do not take away the rights of injured employees.

In fact, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in all the following situations:

A third-party (someone other than your employer) caused your injuries
Intentional misconduct resulted in harm
Manufacturers or distributors provided defective products
Your employer was not carrying workers’ compensation insurance

Any DeKalb County oilfield accident lawyer can tell you that the majority of workplace accidents belong in the workers’ compensation system. However, there are clearly many instances where a personal injury claim or litigation is the more appropriate strategy. You can even explore your available legal options while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

The simple fact is that workers’ comp will not cover damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses. It also will not completely replace your lost income. This is why you should understand all your options. Contact our law firm today to discuss your case during a free consultation.

What Must Be Proven to Secure Financial Compensation?

Even when someone is eligible to file a personal injury claim rather than just seeking workers’ compensation, there’s no guarantee that their claim will be successful. That’s because it’s not enough to show that an injury or wrongful death occurred. What really matters is proving liability, and this can be a difficult task. Those who opt to file without the help of a DeKalb County oilfield accident lawyer will face significant challenges.

In fact, they’ll have to establish the following elements of liability on their own:

Duty of care: A party has a duty of care when they’re expected to avoid actions that could harm others. For instance, third-party contractors on oilfield sites are expected to use proper safety precautions to avoid potential harm.
Violation of duty: Establishing liability also requires proving that the defendant violated a duty of care. For instance, perhaps a third-party contracting company was sending out workers who had not received safety training.
Harm causation: It’s not uncommon for parties to violate a duty of care. However, these violations can result in liability when they lead to harm. Medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses may qualify.

If you’re represented by a DeKalb County oilfield accident lawyer at trial, your legal representative will work to establish these elements of liability. However, this may not be necessary. If your advocate can show that these elements exist, they may be able to convince the insurance company or liable party to pay a fair settlement without litigation. Contact us today to discuss your options.

What Leads to Oilfield Accidents?

By establishing liability, it’s possible to secure financial compensation that can reimburse you for any losses. However, it’s also important to understand what types of incidents can lead to these accidents. No one expects oilfield work to be completely free of risk, but the sheer number of hazards shows why injuries are so common in the industry.

Just consider some of the most common causes of work injuries on oilfields — and how other parties’ negligent actions could cause them:

Equipment failures
Slips, trips, and falls
Fires and explosions
Transportation accidents
Caught-between and struck-by incidents
Chemical exposure
Confined space accidents
High-pressure incidents
Overexertion and fatigue
Lack of safety training and procedures

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential risks in the oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, these cases can be complex even when it seems clear that negligence led to injury. That’s why you should consider working with a DeKalb County oilfield accident attorney. Our law firm will review your case and help you understand whether you may be entitled to additional compensation.

Contact Our DeKalb County Oilfield Accident Lawyers Today

Laws on both a federal level and in Georgia focus on protecting workers in our state. In many instances, workers’ compensation will immediately kick in and provide financial support when it’s needed the most. However, injured workers or families who have lost loved ones shouldn’t just assume that workers’ comp is all they’re entitled to. By doing so, you could potentially be leaving substantial financial recovery unclaimed.

At Eshman Begnaud, LLC, we’ve seen too many injured workers and their families deal with financial difficulties. Even in a best-case scenario under workers’ comp in Georgia, you’ll only receive a fraction of your typical income. If you qualify for a personal injury or wrongful death claim, you could receive full compensation for lost income and so much more. Seeking legal advice will help you fully understand your rights.

Our law firm doesn’t charge for initial case evaluations, so there’s nothing to lose by reaching out. Contact us at (678) 892-7173 to schedule your free consultation.