Workers in the oil and gas industry have demanding and dangerous jobs. They face numerous hazards working in the oilfields, including being injured in an oilfield crush accident. Unsafe working conditions and heavy equipment malfunctions can lead to oilfield crush accidents in the Bakken oilfield areas of North Dakota.
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our Minot oilfield injury lawyers have decades of experience representing oilfield workers in Minot and across North Dakota. Since 1909, our law firm has fought for the rights of personal injury victims to fair and just compensation for their injuries and damages.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries because of a North Dakota oilfield crush accident, call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. for a free consultation with an attorney. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for your claim.
North Dakota Oilfield Injury Lawyers Fighting for Your Right to Fair Compensation
We understand the difficulties faced by injured oilfield workers and their families. An oilfield crush accident can cause catastrophic injuries and life-altering disabilities. The long-term impacts for injured oilfield workers and their families include severe physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and financial hardship. Unfortunately, employers, insurance companies, and other responsible parties do not have the worker’s best interests as their top priority.
When you hire our top-rated Minot oilfield injury lawyers, we help you pursue claims for oilfield injuries and accidents. You can trust our legal team will:
- Thoroughly investigate the oilfield crush accident to determine the liable parties
- Gather evidence supporting your claim, including working with leading expert witnesses as necessary
- Access how much your claim is worth by documenting your losses and damages
- Explain your legal options for recovering compensation, including filing workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury claims
- Negotiate fair settlements with at-fault parties and insurance companies
- Go to court and argue your case at trial if a settlement is not possible
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our legal team has extensive experience handling injury claims for oilfield workers. Being a local law firm, we have in-depth knowledge of North Dakota oilfield and energy operations, including the Bakken Shale in the Williston Basin of western North Dakota. Our oilfield injury lawyers have a successful track record of handling serious and catastrophic workplace injuries for oilfield workers in Williston, Bismarck, Dickinson, and the wider Bakken oil patch.
Contact Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. to request a free case evaluation from an experienced Minot oilfield injury lawyer. Your time to file a claim is limited. Protect your rights by seeking prompt legal advice from a skilled oilfield injury lawyer in Minot, ND.
Understanding Oilfield Crush Injuries in North Dakota
Many oilfield accidents and injuries involve contact with equipment or objects. Working in the Bakken formation requires working with or near heavy equipment, vehicles, and structures. Oilfield crush accidents can occur for many reasons, including but not limited to:
- Caught-in and caught-between accidents where workers may be pinned between objects in an oilfield, such as drilling equipment, heavy machinery, pipelines, oil rigs, and storage tanks.
- Falling objects from cranes, elevated platforms, and hoists caused by negligence, unstable loads, unsecured materials, and weakened structural supports
- Full or partial oil rig collapses caused by structural defects, unstable foundations, or excessive pressure caused by oil rig drilling operations
- An oilfield crush accident can result from working in confined spaces that have limited escape options to avoid being pinned or trapped when something unexpected occurs
- Violations of OSHA safety regulations, lack of proper training, and inadequate personal protective and/or safety equipment
Objects may move unexpectedly because of poor maintenance, defects, or uncontrolled pressure shifts. Heavy machinery malfunctions can cause collapses that crush or trap injured workers. Improper handling of materials and machinery can be a factor in some oilfield crush accidents. Determining the factors that contributed to the oilfield crush accident is crucial in assessing your legal options for compensation.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by North Dakota Oilfield Crush Accidents
An oilfield worker may sustain a crush injury to a specific body part or limb. Common body parts injured in oilfield crush accidents include arms, legs, feet, toes, hands, and fingers. Workers may sustain injuries to their hips, pelvis, chest, and torso. Skull and head fractures are also common.
Crushing injuries can cause fractures and broken bones. A worker may also sustain severe damage to one or more internal organs as a result of an oilfield crush accident. Long-term complications may arise from secondary infections, nerve damage, compartment syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What Happens After a Crush Injury on an Oilfield Site in North Dakota?
The immediate steps taken after an oilfield crush accident are crucial for your long-term recovery. Seek immediate medical attention at a hospital if necessary. Your employer should provide you with a list of designated medical providers for ongoing medical care after a workplace injury.
It is essential that you report the accident as soon as possible to your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim. Prompt legal advice from a skilled Minot oilfield crush accident attorney is important. An attorney advises you about your legal options and rights while helping you take steps to protect your best interests.
An oilfield crush accident can also lead to a third-party claim based on personal injury laws. If another party negligently or intentionally contributed to the cause of your injuries, they could be liable for damages. For instance, if a defective machine caused your injury, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Likewise, if a contractor, subcontractor, maintenance provider, property owner, or other party’s negligent actions contributed to the accident, you may have a personal injury claim against that party.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a North Dakota Oilfield Crush Injury?
Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment and loss of wage benefits for workers injured on the job. However, workers’ comp benefits do not replace all lost wages, nor do workers receive compensation for pain and suffering.
Damages for a third-party claim can include all lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and other economic damages. You may also receive non-economic damages for mental anguish, diminished quality of life, and emotional distress. Our Minot oilfield crush accident lawyers pursue all claims and sources of compensation to maximize your recovery for an oilfield crush accident.
What Happens if the Insurance Denies My Claim or I Am an Out-of-State Worker Injured in the North Dakota Oilfield Industry?
Insurance companies, employers, and at-fault parties often try to avoid liability for an oilfield worker’s injuries. They may deny claims for a variety of reasons, including fraudulent and unlawful reasons. The insurance company or your employer may make a low settlement offer to try to make the claim “go away.”
Our attorneys at Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. understand how insurance companies and defense firms handle claims. We are prepared to challenge denials, file appeals, and pursue legal action.
We represent North Dakotans injured in oilfield accidents. However, we also help out-of-state workers injured in the North Dakota oilfields. Our local legal knowledge helps out-of-state workers navigate the local courts, employer retaliation issues, and North Dakota laws. Hiring a local lawyer to pursue your claim has many advantages that can improve your chances of receiving a fair outcome.
Talk to a Minot Oilfield Injury Lawyer Today
Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Minot oilfield crush accident attorneys. Our attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you pay no fees unless we win your case.
You deserve to be compensated fairly for an oilfield crush accident. Contact us to learn more about how Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., can help you after an oilfield accident in North Dakota.