When to Contact an Attorney After a New Mexico Oilfield Accident

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 120 deaths occur in the oil and gas industry each year. Other studies have found that oil and gas workers are six times more likely to die on the job than workers in other professions. Looking at these statistics, it’s clear that oil and gas workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in America. This is because there are many, many ways that oilfield workers can get hurt at work—slips and falls, fires, equipment malfunctions, and exposure to toxic chemicals are just some of the dangers oilfield workers risk facing every day. If you or a loved one has been injured in an oilfield accident in Artesia, New Mexico, you may be wondering what to do now. Fortunately, the expert Artesia accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to help. Read on to learn when to contact an attorney after a New Mexico oilfield accident, how to choose the right New Mexico oilfield injury attorney, and more.

In most cases, the initial settlement offer from the company’s insurer will be too low and will not reflect what your claim is truly worth. Insurance companies want to avoid paying costly settlements, and their goal is to devalue your claim as much as possible in order to save money. That’s why you should never accept a settlement before discovering the true value of your injury claim, with the help of a qualified attorney. The right lawyer can help you determine whether or not the settlement you’ve been offered is fair, and can help you decide whether or not to pursue further legal action.

Before you contact a lawyer, you need to report your accident to your supervisor about what happened. Failure to report the accident in a timely manner could mean that you are ineligible for compensation, and could even result in your termination. In addition, make sure you report all injuries and pain symptoms; not doing so might jeopardize your ability to receive compensation.

It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention before consulting a lawyer. This allows your New Mexico oilfield injury attorney to have a better idea of the extent of your injuries and to get an accurate idea of the value of your claim. Gaps in medical treatment following an accident can hurt your claim’s value, because delaying treatment can be used as proof that your injuries were not severe.

There are many factors to consider before hiring a lawyer to represent you, so it’s important to do your research before making a final decision. After an oilfield accident, you will find no shortage of Artesia accident lawyers claiming to be qualified to handle personal injury claims. However, the most important thing is to choose a lawyer who has successfully handled many cases similar to yours in the past; you need to choose an attorney who knows the ins and outs of oilfield accident claims, and who has the resources to take on a major corporation, in court if necessary. Here at Carabin Shaw, we meet all of these criteria—and exceed them. We’ve been handling oilfield accident claims for more than two decades, and our team has a combined 200 years of legal experience.

If you’re ready to speak to an experienced Artesia personal injury attorney with decades of experience handling oilfield accidents, call our Carabin Shaw office serving Artesia, New Mexico today at 915-779-2301. Your initial consultation with a lawyer is free, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with a New Mexico oilfield injury attorney today and finding out how we can help.