Oil Field Accident & Injury Lawyer in Louisiana

New Orleans Oil Field Accident Attorneys

Oil is the lifeblood of our economy, a vital energy source that keeps our country running strong. It offers countless employment opportunities to Louisiana residents and provides valuable work experience in exotic locations. However, this important industry has a downside: It often places workers in hazardous, potentially life-threatening situations.

Spills, falls, burns, electrocution, and explosions are just a few examples of oil industry accidents—and they happen all the time. In fact, catastrophic oil and gas-related accidents are so common that in 2013, the CDC estimated that offshore oil workers were seven times more likely to die than the average U.S. worker. Unfortunately, experts estimate that human error causes at least 50% of these incidents.

If you or someone you love was injured in an oil field accident, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. The experienced Louisiana oil field accident attorneys at Lamothe Law Firm aggressively represent victims and their families, and we are dedicated to fighting for the compensation our clients deserve.

Our Attorneys Litigate All Types of Oil Field Accidents

Extracting oil and gas from the earth is a dangerous, unstable process. A catastrophic accident can suddenly leave victims burdened with life-altering injuries, pain, and suffering, or the devastating loss of a loved one.

At Lamothe Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers cover all types of oil field accidents, including:

Fire and gas leak explosion.
Drilling blowouts.
Workover operations.
Heavy equipment failure.
Slips and falls.
Falling objects.
Toxic chemical exposure.
Improper work procedures.
Unsafe working conditions.
Oil transportation trucking accidents.

There is no room for negligence at an oil and gas drilling site. The work involves heavy equipment, explosive gasses, and fast-paced work. A single safety lapse can cause devastating injury or death. Our lawyers understand these challenges and are ready to help you no matter your situation.

Our Firm Can Help You Fight for What You Deserve

At Lamothe Law Firm, we are passionate about fighting for our clients’ rights. If you were injured in an oil field accident, we can help. Our team will develop a dynamic legal strategy to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

In our quest for your justice, our dedicated team will help you:

Gather witness statements.
Establish standard workplace protocol.
Take photographs of the site.
Collect surveillance footage from security cameras.
Document injuries.
Secure incident reports.
Itemize medical care costs, hospital stays, and ongoing healthcare needs.
Relay your communications to the company and insurance agencies.
Represent your interests.
Negotiate financial settlements.
Speak with legal authorities and government agencies on your behalf.

Recovering from an oil field accident is a stressful, exhausting process. But with proper representation, you don’t have to endure it alone. An experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney can fight for your rights and help secure your rightful damages.

Does This Mean I Can Sue My Employer?

In Louisiana, you can be compensated for oil field accident injuries in several ways. The most common method is via workers’ compensation. However, depending on the circumstances, you might have grounds for one or more of these legal claims:

Workers’ Compensation Claim. If you are an employee injured on the job, you can file for workers’ compensation—regardless of who was at fault. However, this option is limited and does not cover all types of loss (for example, pain and suffering).
Personal Injury Claim. These claims are filed against outside third parties and cover a wide range of personal harm, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To be successful, at least one party must be at fault.
Premises Liability Claim. If unsafe conditions contributed to the oilfield accident, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner for damages.

Product Liability Claim. If the accident occurred due to a product malfunction (say, faulty wiring or machinery), you may consider a product liability claim. These claims hold manufacturers and suppliers liable for their defective products.
Wrongful Death Claim. These claims are filed by the loved ones of deceased persons killed in catastrophic personal injury accidents. They cover compensation for funeral costs, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Our lawyers understand the challenges you face after an accident at work. While worker’s compensation pays benefits, regardless of fault, those benefits are limited and don’t always cover everything you’ve lost. In some situations, you may be entitled to additional damages.

Are You Entitled to Personal Injury Damages?

If a third party is partially responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to recoup damages from them.

“Damages” refers to the amount of money a defendant owes an injured party for their injuries. This money is awarded to help victims recover from their losses and compensate for the harm they caused.

Under Louisiana law, a victim can request compensation associated with both physical and emotional injuries, as well as wrongful death. Some examples of recoverable expenses include:

Medical costs and doctor’s bills.
Ongoing medical care.
Loss of income, including future income.
Permanent, special disability needs.
Pain and suffering, including mental anguish.
Loss of consortium and companionship.
Loss of enjoyment in life.
Permanent disfigurement.
Funeral costs associated with wrongful death.

In severe situations, a judge might also award punitive damages. “Punitive” damages are like punishment damages and are generally assigned to cases where the defendant’s breach of duty was intentional or exceptionally egregious.

The exact amount of your damages will depend on the unique facts of your situation. While examining these facts, one critical component your judge will scrutinize is who is at fault for the incident.

How To Prove Fault in Oil Field Accident Damages

Someone is “at fault” for an accident if their actions (or inaction) lead to the accident and your eventual injuries. However, it’s not as simple as cause and effect. To be liable for damages, you and your attorney must also show that the defendant breached a clearly defined duty of care.

In Louisiana, a person may be liable for personal injury damages if these five elements are present:

Duty—The defendant owed the victim a specific duty of care.
Breach of Duty—The defendant failed to meet their duty of care (either by action or inaction).
Cause in Fact—The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the victim’s injuries.
Proximate Cause—The defendant’s breach of duty was strongly connected to the victim’s injuries.
Damages—The victim suffered actual harm with quantifiable damages.

To receive compensation for your losses, you and your attorney have the burden of proof to show that all five of these elements were met. If there are multiple defendants, then each must qualify under the same standard. A defendant cannot be held liable for damages unless they breached a defined duty of care, resulting in injuries.

But what happens if you were part of the problem? Will personal fault prevent you from collecting damages?

Time May Run Out on Your Oil Field Accident

If you were injured in an oil field accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney immediately. Statutes of limitations restrict personal injury claims, and your opportunity will not last forever.

A statute of limitations is a time frame for filing claims. This window of time protects would-be defendants from being burdened by irrelevant claims and encourages victims to resolve their disputes promptly.

The Louisiana statute of limitations on oil field accidents is typically one year from the date of the accident.With limited exceptions, all personal injury claims—including oil and gas-related accidents—must be filed within that time frame. Filing outside the statute of limitations will likely result in the dismissal of your case. Therefore, if you’ve been in a serious oil accident, it’s important to act swiftly. Talk to an experienced New Orleans attorney today, and don’t lose out on the compensation you deserve.

I Was in a Serious Oil Field Accident. What Do I Do Now?

Accidents in the oil and gas industries are often catastrophic, leaving victims struggling with life-altering injuries, financial burdens, and the loss of loved ones. If you were harmed in one of these events, immediately follow these important steps:

Make sure you are safe.
Carry out your duties under emergency protocol to the best of your ability.
Seek medical attention for any injuries.
Document the accident scene to the extent that it is safe.
Preserve evidence as much as possible.
Report the accident to your supervisor.
Talk to an experienced oil field accident attorney about your situation.
Keep detailed records of everything relating to the incident.
File a worker’s compensation claim.
Consider filing a personal injury claim or other compensation.
Follow the advice and guidance of healthcare professionals regarding your recovery.

You’ve endured a horrific experience, but recovery isn’t something you have to do alone. The right attorney can defend your rights, help compensate for your losses, and hold the right parties accountable for their harm.

Why Hire Us

Experience

We have over 100 years of combined experience.

Track Record

We have recovered over 100 million dollars for our clients.

Reputation

We have a national reputation for excellence.

An Experienced Oil Field Accident Attorney Can Help You

The Lamothe Law Firm has more 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Louisiana and across the country , with an impressive track record of success in oil field accidents. Our team of passionate, dedicated attorneys is here to help our clients achieve resolutions, no matter the situation.

As an oil worker, your services are vital to everyday American commerce. If you or someone you love were injured due to someone else’s error, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. Contact Lamothe Law Firm today for a free consultation, and let our team of highly experienced attorneys help you fight for the compensation you deserve.