What to Expect During an Oilfield Accident Settlement

The oil industry is a common place to look for steady employment in San Angelo these days. But while the boom in the industry has created a wealth of jobs, the downside is that the likelihood of getting injured in the line of duty is much greater. If you or a loved one has been injured in an oilfield accident, you may need to hire an attorney. If you’re thinking along these lines, you’re probably wondering what to expect during an oilfield accident settlement. After all, most people aren’t involved in these sorts of lawsuits regularly. If you’re in a situation like this, read on to learn how a West Texas oilfield injury attorney at Carabin Shaw can guide you through the process and make sure you get the settlement you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a San Angelo oilfield accident, you should first report the injury to your employer. In Texas, employers aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, but if your employer does carry workers’ compensation coverage, you have to report your injury within 30 days. Whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance or not, consulting a work injury attorney in San Angelo should be your next step. An attorney can make sure the workers’ compensation claim is dealt with fairly or, if your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. If you’re being treated unfairly in the course of a workers’ compensation claim, your lawyer can also deal with that and file a lawsuit if necessary.

Once you’ve hired a West Texas oilfield injury attorney, your attorney will be able to explain what to expect during an oilfield accident settlement. If a lawsuit has been filed on your behalf, you’ll have to sign off on any paperwork or settlement that’s a result of the suit. It’s also likely that your employer’s insurance company or legal representative will try to contact you. Should this happen, you should contact your lawyer immediately. Do not attempt to speak to any representatives of your employer after a lawsuit has been filed. They are likely to be aggressive and attempt to get you to say or agree to things that are counterproductive to your lawsuit. Referring these attempts at communication to your attorney is the safe way to handle them.

During the course of your San Angelo oilfield accident lawsuit, your lawyer will be in contact with you regarding any developments or settlement offers in your case. If at any point you need to communicate with your employer’s lawyers or insurance company, your attorney will be there and will guide you through the interaction. Once your employer has made a settlement offer, your work injury attorney in San Angelo will present the offer to you and give you advice on whether or not to accept the offer or make a counteroffer. Just a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to accept a settlement offer include:

• The length of time you’re unable to work
• Whether any future medical expenses are covered
• Whether your pain and suffering are adequately compensated by the settlement

After exploring these questions with your West Texas oilfield injury attorney, you’ll make a decision about whether you want to accept the settlement offer or not. Your lawyer will offer you legal counsel and advice, but ultimately it’s up to you whether to accept the settlement offer.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an oilfield accident in San Angelo, you’re probably stunned and worried about the next steps to take. Whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance or not, contacting the experienced lawyers at Carabin Shaw should be your first step. They’ll bring their expertise to your case and will fight for the compensation you deserve after your injury. Call them today at 432-620-0544.