Your Rights and Options After an Oilfield Injury in Texas

Working in an oilfield is a great way to make a living, but its not without its hazards. The industry is well-known for frequent on-the-job injuries, and some of those injuries can be severe enough to keep you from returning to your job for months. Luckily, you have rights and options at your disposal following an oilfield injury. Here’s what your Texas workplace injury attorney wants you to understand, whether you’re injured and are trying to figure out your best next steps or just want to know what to do if you experience an injury in the future.

Your Rights After an Oilfield Injury

Any injured worker has rights, and oilfield workers are no exception. Here are a few rights you have if you’re injured on the job.

You Have the Right to Seek Medical Attention

If you’re injured, you have the right to seek medical attention immediately, even if that means you need to leave in the middle of your shift. If your injuries are severe, have a coworker call an ambulance and let them take you to the emergency room to get checked out. If your injuries are less severe, head to an urgent care clinic, your primary care physician, or your company’s preferred healthcare provider for workplace injuries. 

Regardless of where you go, don’t put off seeking medical treatment. The sooner you go to the doctor, the easier it will be to document the full extent of your injuries.

You May Have the Right to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you’re a full or part-time employee, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer if the injury happened on the job and in the performance of your duties. Workers’ compensation can help you cover the cost of medical treatments and can provide you with a portion of your income while you recover. 

Let your employer know that you want to file a claim as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the better.

You Have the Right to Collect Evidence

You can and should collect evidence that documents the cause of your injury, the circumstances leading up to the injury, and any hazards around the workplace that contributed to your injuries. Collect witness statements from any coworkers who saw what happened and take pictures of the scene and your injuries if possible. This evidence can come in handy if you need to file a lawsuit or contest the workers’ compensation insurance provider’s decision about your claim.

Your Employer Cannot Retaliate Against You

Legally, your employer cannot retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim or taking safety concerns that are not immediately addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If your employer tries to retaliate against you in any way (terminating your position, docking your pay, denying you a promotion because of your claim, etc.), contact a Texas workplace injury attorney immediately.

What to Do After an Injury

If you’ve been injured in an oilfield accident, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Once you’re done dealing with the immediate needs of your injuries, contact an experienced Texas workplace injury attorney. Your attorney will help you navigate the workers’ compensation claims process and can represent your interests with the insurance provider if they delay or deny your claim. 

Your attorney can also help you hold your employer accountable if they try to retaliate against you after your injuries. 

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you’ve been injured during your shift in an oilfield, don’t wait. Speak with a Texas workplace injury attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll have an experienced professional to help you navigate your workers’ compensation claim so you can get the money you need to focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.