The high-risk nature of oilfield work results in thousands of injuries and deaths each year for employees. Many of the injuries are the result of caught-between accidents. Workers injured in caught-between accidents can sustain life-altering impairments. At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our Minot oilfield injury attorneys have extensive experience handling Bakken oilfield injury claims.
Our injury lawyers assist oilfield workers as they seek compensation for their injuries and losses. We fight to obtain the money you deserve after a devastating caught-between accident on a North Dakota oilfield. North Dakotans have trusted Pringle & Herigstad for over 100 years. We are local attorneys helping injured workers and their families receive the compensation they need and deserve after an oilfield injury.
Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., to schedule your free consultation with a Minot oilfield injury attorney today.
Minot Injury Lawyers Serving North Dakota’s Oilfield Workers and Families
Injuries in Bakken oilfield areas can result in life-threatening conditions. Workers sustain broken bones, amputations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain damage, and permanent disabilities. The stress caused by the emotional and financial toll on families can be overwhelming. The key is to obtain legal support from a law firm that fights for injury victims, not insurance companies.
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our North Dakota oilfield accident lawyers fight for the rights of workers crushed between oilfield equipment. When you hire our top-rated oilfield injury attorneys in Minot, you can trust that we will:
- Investigate the circumstances that led to your caught-between accident in North Dakota
- Explain the relevant workers’ compensation and personal injury laws applicable to your claim
- Identify all sources of compensation and parties who may be liable for your damages
- Work with the best expert witnesses as necessary to gather additional evidence
- Prepare and file all paperwork and legal documents to pursue claims
- Aggressively negotiate fair settlements with insurance companies and at-fault parties
- Take your case to trial and fiercely argue for a judgment against the parties responsible for causing your injuries
We are a local law firm with extensive experience handling injury claims arising from Bakken oilfield accidents. Our legal team possesses a thorough understanding of worksite standards and is familiar with Bakken formation employers.
Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., represents clients throughout North Dakota. Our attorneys also assist workers who travel from out of state to work in the Bakken oil patch. Filing injury claims when you live out of state can be challenging. Pringle & Herigstad’s attorneys represent oil workers remotely and across state lines.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an oilfield injury lawyer in Minot, ND. Caught-between accidents are complex injury claims that can fall under personal injury and/or workers’ compensation laws. Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. can help you identify your legal options after a workplace injury in a North Dakota oilfield to maximize the compensation and benefits you receive.
Understanding Caught-Between Accidents in Oilfields Across North Dakota
The oil and gas extraction industry can be dangerous for workers. Numerous hazards cause worker fatalities and injuries. Even though steps are being taken to improve worker safety, life-altering accidents continue to occur.
Caught-between accidents are among OSHA’s “fatal four” occupational hazards. These accidents are also referred to as “caught-in” accidents. Three of every five fatalities in the oil and gas industry that occur on-site are the result of caught-between, caught-in, or struck-by hazards.
A “caught” event occurs when a worker is pinned, crushed, squeezed, compressed, or buried between machinery or objects. Caught-between accidents are some of the deadliest hazards workers face. Examples of caught-between accidents on an oilfield include, but are not limited to:
- Limbs caught in pipe tongs or rotating machinery
- Being pulled into machinery that lacks proper guards or has malfunctioning guards
- Workers crushed between rigging or heavy machinery
- Being crushed by falling equipment or materials
- Trench collapses or confined space crush injuries
- Being pinned or crushed by a vehicle or moving equipment
- Compression accident involving rig frameworks
- Being caught between drill pipe sections during transportation or handling
One or more factors may contribute to the cause of a caught-between accident. Common causes of caught-between accidents include worker negligence, faulty machinery, lack of training and oversight, neglected maintenance, and safety violations. The factors that contribute to the cause of the worker’s injuries determine the types of claims the worker may have for compensation.
What Happens After a Caught-Between Injury in North Dakota?
Seek immediate medical treatment after a caught-between accident. It is crucial that you document your injuries with medical records. If your injuries are life-threatening, go to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, ask your employer for a list of designated medical providers.
It is also essential to document the accident scene, if possible. Take photographs of the accident scene, make notes about the status of equipment, and ask witnesses for their names and contact details.
Report injuries and accidents to your employer as soon as possible. Delays in reporting workplace accidents and injuries could result in the loss of workers’ compensation benefits. Prompt legal advice is also strongly recommended to protect your rights.
What Compensation Can You Recover for an Oilfield Caught-between Accident Claim in North Dakota?
Injured workers in North Dakota are generally covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can provide several benefits, including:
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Temporary disability benefits for wage loss
- Reimbursement for mileage, out-of-pocket costs, and meals necessary for medical care
- Permanent disability benefits
- Death benefits
Some situations may result in a third-party lawsuit for a caught-between accident. An injured worker may have a claim against a manufacturer, subcontractor, or other negligent party. If so, the worker may recover compensation for economic damages, including all lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses. They may also receive compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. Oilfield workers’ compensation in North Dakota does not offer pain and suffering damages.
What Happens if an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim for an Oilfield Caught-between Accident?
The insurance company may deny your claim for a caught-between accident. Common reasons for denying a claim include alleged safety violations, pre-existing conditions, and inadequate documentation. Insurance companies will often deny valid claims. However, you can appeal a denial and take the matter to court if necessary.
Our Minot personal injury lawyers assist workers with civil litigation if a third party is at fault. We also file appeals and negotiate fair settlements for workers’ compensation claims. If you or a loved one was injured in an oilfield accident anywhere in the Bakken oilfield region, our caught-between oilfield accident lawyers in North Dakota are here to help.
Talk to a Minot Oilfield Injury Lawyer Today
You may have one or more options to recover compensation for a caught-between accident or other oilfield injury. However, time is crucial. Waiting too long to contact an attorney could limit your legal options. Time limits on filing claims make seeking prompt legal advice a top priority.
Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Minot caught-between accident lawyer. Our North Dakota oilfield injury lawyers provide trusted legal advice and support for injured oil workers and their families.