Working on the oilfield is a dangerous job, and unfortunately accidents do happen.
However, dealing with oilfield accident injuries is not only physically difficult, but also difficult financially and emotionally. It is also a situation that you may have never encountered before. It can be tough to know what steps to take to make sure that you are properly cared for and compensated fairly.
At Stewart + Harmonson, we’ve dealt with New Mexico oilfield accident cases for years and know the clearest path to getting you the financial compensation that you deserve. While this blog outlines some generic courses of action to take, we do recommend that you seek out the help of a lawyer who knows this process well and can guide you through these steps and more.
1. Tell your Employer about the Oilfield Accident
It is essential that you immediately make sure that your employer or supervisor knows what happened to you. This is because there are time constraints that pertain to workers benefits, and it’s important to make sure that you report your injury in the time frame allotted to qualify, which is 15 days in New Mexico.
It is also possible to lose your job if you do not properly report workplace injuries.
2. Fill Out an Incident Report
You will most likely need to fill out an incident report, in which you should try to be as detailed as possible.
However, even if it’s not required you should write down exactly how you got injured. Writing down what happened is helpful in case your memory after the incident is unable to recall specifics, and it’s harder to contest your immediate written account.
3. See a New Mexico Medical Professional
As soon as you finish reporting what happened (unless your injuries are too severe and need to be seen by a doctor first), head to the nearest hospital.
Even if you don’t immediately notice severe injuries, injuries can sometimes appear weeks or months later that went unnoticed initially. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you receive a thorough examination.
Additionally, it’s important to get on record that you visited a doctor after your accident. Explain what happened to the doctor and be sure to keep all medical records somewhere on hand.
4. Contact an Experienced New Mexico Oilfield Lawyer
Ultimately, the advice that an attorney can give you, as well as representation, is invaluable.
Your attorney will investigate your injury to determine the best way to seek the damages you need to recover and move forward with your life.
Additionally, when dealing with large oilfield companies, they may try to coerce you into taking courses of action that are not your best options. A top notch attorney will spot these tactics immediately and know how to make sure you don’t fall for something that looks like a good deal.
Contact Stewart + Harmonson Today
At Stewart + Harmson, our experienced personal injury attorneys know the kinds of tactics companies use and will fight on your behalf to make sure you get the best deal possible. We believe in gaining real justice for seriously injured New Mexicans and their families. Contact us today.
