Working in the oil and gas industry can be dangerous. Workers face numerous hazards as they perform their jobs, including oilfield machinery accidents. These accidents can cause severe injuries, resulting in permanent impairments and worker deaths. If you were injured in an oilfield machinery accident in North Dakota, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our Minot oilfield injury attorneys assist injured roustabouts, rig workers, operators, and family members seeking help for a loved one injured on the job. Oilfield workers and their families have trusted our North Dakota oilfield injury lawyers for over 100 years. We are local attorneys familiar with employers throughout the Bakken and North Dakota oil regions.
Call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., to schedule a free consultation with one of our Minot oilfield machinery accident lawyers. We have offices in Minot and Grand Forks to assist injured oil workers throughout North Dakota.
Oilfield Accident Lawyers Assisting Workers with Oilfield Machinery Accident Claims in North Dakota
You need a strong advocate to protect your best interests after an oilfield machinery accident in North Dakota. At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., we are committed to assisting injured oilfield workers and their families who rely on oilfield jobs for their livelihood. If you’ve been injured in an oilfield accident, let us help you pursue the benefits and compensation you need and deserve.
When you hire our top-rated Minot oilfield injury lawyers, you can expect our legal team to:
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to your injuries
- Explain the types of claims available, including workers’ compensation and third-party claims
- Work with expert witnesses to secure testimony and evidence to support your claims
- Prepare the necessary legal documents and paperwork for claims
- Negotiate fair settlements with liable parties and insurance companies
- Go to trial if a settlement is not in your best interest
Our North Dakota oilfield injury lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved in claims arising from oil and gas extraction jobs. We have extensive experience representing workers in oilfield injury cases involving heavy machinery malfunctions. Our law firm represents injured workers across the Bakken and Williston Basin oilfields, including clients in Minot, Williston, and the surrounding areas.
Contact Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. to request a free case evaluation from an experienced Minot oilfield machinery accident lawyer. Our attorneys are trusted and accessible when you need help with a claim. Because we accept cases for a contingency fee, there are no fees unless we recover compensation for your claim.
Understanding Oilfield Machinery Accidents in North Dakota
The oil and gas industry utilizes complex machinery with numerous moving parts. These machines have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries. Examples of the types of machines oilfield workers may encounter include drawworks, compressors, top drives, belt wheels, catheads, conveyors, pumps, and hoist blocks.
Machine hazards can injure or kill oilfield workers, including lack of machine guarding, caught-between accidents, defective machinery, explosions, and struck-by accidents. Inadequate safety measures and violations of safety regulations may lead to oilfield machinery accidents. Human error, fatigue, overworking, inadequate training, and negligence can also contribute to an oilfield machinery accident.
Oilfield machinery accidents can cause a variety of injuries, including but not limited to:
- Severe burns
- Broken and fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Electrocutions and electrical injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Hearing and/or vision loss
- Internal organ damage
- Back and neck injuries
Oilfield machinery accidents cause workers emotional, physical, and financial losses. Taking steps to protect your rights after an injury on the job is essential for your recovery.
The Aftermath of an Oilfield Machinery Accident in North Dakota
The immediate and long-term impacts on injured workers and their families include medical expenses, loss of income, physical pain, and emotional trauma. Steps you can take to protect your right to benefits and compensation for an oilfield machinery accident include:
- Report injuries and accidents at work to your employer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Failing to report injuries within the specified deadlines could cause you to lose workers’ comp benefits.
- Seek immediate medical treatment for injuries caused by an oilfield machinery accident. Go to the nearest hospital for emergency care. Otherwise, ask your employer for a list of designated medical providers for work-related injuries.
- Document the accident scene, if possible. Take photographs of the scene, including the machinery involved in your injuries. Ask witnesses to provide you with their names and contact details.
OSHA may investigate a workplace accident. Before answering questions or discussing the accident with the insurance company, OSHA investigators, or other individuals, it is wise to seek legal advice from an experienced Minot oilfield injury lawyer. An attorney can help you take steps to protect your rights, including advising you on how to respond to requests for recorded or written statements regarding the accident.
What Compensation Can I Recover After an Oilfield Equipment Injury in North Dakota?
The compensation and damages you receive for an oilfield machinery accident claim depend on the type of claim filed. On-the-job injuries are generally covered by workers’ compensation. Injured workers can receive medical treatment at no cost. They may also recover out-of-pocket expenses related to medical treatment, including mileage reimbursement.
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may also receive temporary and/or permanent disability benefits. However, workers’ comp does not compensate you for all wage loss related to an oilfield machinery accident.
Some oilfield machinery accidents could result in third-party claims for negligence or other wrongdoing. For instance, you could have a product liability claim against a manufacturer if a defective product caused your injuries. Likewise, a subcontractor or other party could be liable for damages if their negligence caused your injuries.
Third-party personal injury claims for oilfield machinery accidents can result in economic damages, including:
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
- The cost of medical care, including future medical expenses
A third-party claim may also include non-economic damages for pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and emotional distress. Workers’ compensation does not include pain and suffering damages.
If an oilfield worker dies because of an oilfield machinery accident, the family may receive death benefits from workers’ compensation. They may also receive compensation for a wrongful death claim if another party is responsible for causing their loved one’s death.
Out-of-State Workers Injured in North Dakota Oilfields
Many workers travel to North Dakota to work in the oilfields. Filing a claim for an oilfield machinery accident when you are a non-resident can be challenging. There may be jurisdictional issues and employer-based residency concerns.
At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our Minot oilfield injury attorneys represent out-of-state workers injured by malfunctioning oilfield machinery in North Dakota. Contact our office to discuss your situation with an attorney.
Talk to a Minot Oilfield Machinery Accident Lawyer Today
Oilfield machinery accident claims are complex cases that may involve multiple parties, massive insurance companies, and confusing laws. Our Minot oilfield injury lawyers fight to protect the rights of injured oilfield workers. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to get help with your claim.