Working in the oil and gas industry is dangerous. Oilfield workers are exposed to numerous hazards, including dangerous chemicals, treacherous conditions, and heavy machinery. Oilfield accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths.
If you are injured on the job, knowing what to do to protect your rights is crucial. Knowing what not to do after an oilfield accident in North Dakota is equally important. In this blog, our North Dakota personal injury attorneys discuss the dos and don’ts after an oilfield accident.
What to Do After an Oilfield Accident in North Dakota?
The following steps are crucial to protecting your health and legal rights after an oilfield accident. Things to do include:
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Delays in medical care could result in worsening injuries. Additionally, you must have a record of your medical treatment to link the injuries to the oilfield accident and prove the severity of your injuries.
Report the Oilfield Accident to Your Employer
You must report the accident and injury to your employer as soon as possible. Failing to report injuries and accidents to your employer promptly could result in denied claims.
Document Your Injuries and Losses
Keep detailed records of all financial losses and expenses related to the oilfield accident. Take photographs of your injuries to supplement your medical records. Keep copies of all invoices, receipts, and records proving expenses and loss of income.
Understand Your Legal Rights and the Claims Process
Consult with an oilfield accident attorney as soon as possible. Understanding the role of government investigations in an oilfield accident and how to navigate injury and workers’ compensation claims helps you protect your rights. The complexities of an oilfield accident case can be overwhelming to deal with alone. It is easy to make mistakes that could cause you to lose your case.
What Not to Do After an Oilfield Accident in North Dakota?
Knowing what to avoid doing after an oilfield accident in North Dakota is equally important. An innocent mistake could result in denied workers’ comp benefits and/or lower personal injury settlements for third-party claims. Things not to do after an oilfield accident include:
Don’t Sign Anything or Provide a Statement Without an Attorney
Avoid making formal statements, answering questions in writing, or signing documents without an attorney present. The insurance company and your employer may try to force you to take these steps, but it is not in your best interest to move forward without legal counsel.
Don’t Ignore Medical Advice
It is crucial to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Failing to follow the doctor’s orders could result in allegations that you caused your injuries to worsen. If so, you may not receive benefits and compensation for a condition caused by your failure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Don’t Discuss the Case on Social Media
It is best to avoid using social media while your case is pending. Nothing you post online is secure and private. There are ways to get this information. Insurance companies use information posted online against accident victims. Only discuss your oilfield accident and injuries with your lawyer.
Don’t Negotiate a Settlement Alone
The settlement offer you receive is likely worth much less than your claim. An experienced lawyer knows how much damages are worth and the laws governing damages. If you accept a settlement and sign an agreement, you give up your right to demand more money, even if you realize your claim was worth more or have additional injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our North Dakota Personal Injury Attorneys
Our oilfield accident attorneys in Grand Forks and Minot represent injured workers and their families throughout North Dakota, from Rugby and Trenton to Bismarck and everywhere in between. If you were injured in an oilfield accident, call Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. for a free consultation with our North Dakota oilfield accident lawyers.
