New Mexico Insurance Laws Regarding Oilfield Accidents

The oil and gas industry employs thousands of residents of Hobbs, New Mexico—and while oilfield jobs are a great source of economic prosperity, these jobs are also extremely dangerous. Oilfield employees work one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, and to make matters worse, New Mexico has one of the worst records when it comes to pipeline safety. New Mexico and Texas have higher rates of oilfield fatalities than any other states in the country, and one of the factors contributing to this problem involves state legislation. At Carabin Shaw, our New Mexico oilfield injury attorneys have compiled an overview of what you should know about New Mexico insurance laws regarding oilfield accidents, as well as advice on choosing the right Hobbs oilfield accident lawyer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 120 deaths occur in the oil and gas industry each year, and the risk of serious injury to oilfield workers in the United States is five times greater than the national average for all occupations.

It would be easy to assume that because the work is so dangerous, employers in the oil and gas industry would take all possible measures to ensure the safety of their employees. Sadly, however, this is frequently far from the reality that workers in Hobbs, New Mexico are facing.

New Mexico recently became one of four states to enact an oilfield anti-indemnity act. Indemnity provisions are contracts that apportion liability between parties. However, in states with anti-indemnity acts, these indemnity agreements are limited. The New Mexico legislature introduced an anti-indemnity act as a way to promote safety, since it prevents well operators from delegating their responsibility to maintain safe operation of the well—that is, they cannot delegate this duty to subcontractors.

However, this anti-indemnity act has its limitations and drawbacks. The New Mexico Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (“NMOAIA”) is limited to production activities at the oilfield well head. Consequently, NMOAIA does not apply to all of the operations of the well—it excludes distribution, processing, and transportation of oil, among other operations.

This means that, unlike the acts passed by other states, whether or not the NMOAIA applies is dependent on the work being performed. If you were injured on the oilfield and are unsure whether or not the NMOAIA applies to the type of work you were performing at the time of your injury, you can consult with an experienced Hobbs oilfield accident lawyer.

If you’ve been hurt working on the oilfield in New Mexico, there are many different insurance laws that may determine which parties may be held responsible for your injuries. Because of the stipulations in the NMOAIA, the best way to find out who is liable for your injuries is to contact a qualified personal injury attorney. You’ll want to choose a personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience with oilfield injury claims and in-depth knowledge of New Mexico laws and regulations governing the industry. And finally, you’ll want to choose an attorney with a winning track record. Fortunately, our attorneys at Carabin Shaw meet all the above criteria and more.

If you’re ready to find out what a team of qualified New Mexico oilfield injury attorneys can do for your claim, contact the offices of Carabin Shaw today. We offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation, meaning that you have absolutely nothing to lose by giving us a call. So call our office today at 915-779-2301 for your free consultation with one of our oilfield injury attorney serving Hobbs, New Mexico and find out how we can help. Don’t wait—speak with a Hobbs oilfield accident lawyer at Carabin Shaw and let us help you get your life back on track.