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Oilfields are becoming a common sight across New Mexico. From the Permian Basin in the southeast to the San Juan Basin in the northwest, oilfields can pose a massive threat to anyone stepping on or near the property. If you have suffered injury in an accident on an oilfield, you may ask yourself: What compensation can oilfield injury victims recover in New Mexico? At Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC, we are here to answer that question and help you pursue damages.
Compensation You Can Seek as an Oilfield Injury Victim in New Mexico
In an oilfield injury accident, there are four main types of compensation you may be able to recover, depending on the nature of your accident and the severity of your injuries. Most personal injuries can leave victims facing millions of dollars in damages, and in a single year, the U.S. can see upwards of $1.2 billion dollars in personal injury costs.
The most common forms of compensation available in oilfield injury accidents include:
- Economic damages. These damages are easily calculable and can be assigned a clear monetary value. Economic damages can include all related medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and necessary adjustments to your home to accommodate daily living in cases of disability.
- Non-economic damages. These damages are more difficult to assign an exact monetary value, as they focus on the psychological and emotional distress caused by an accident. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional anguish, scarring and disfigurement, loss of quality and enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium if you have lost a loved one.
- Punitive damages. These damages, while rarely awarded, are designed to punish the liable party for particularly negligent, intentional, malicious, or reckless behavior that endangered another or disregarded your rights.
- Wrongful death damages. If a loved one dies in an oilfield accident, you may be entitled to recover wrongful death damages.
Common Injuries in Oilfield Accidents
The amount of compensation you are able to recover in an oilfield injury accident will likely depend on the severity of your injuries. The most common injuries suffered by victims of these accidents include:
- Burns due to chemicals or fires that can happen on oilfields. These burns can lead to permanent scarring and tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can include concussions or severe brain damage
- Eye injuries caused by chemical or toxin exposure, which could result in serious health risks if left untreated
- Paralysis, typically resulting from spinal cord damage
- Fractures and broken bones, often the direct result of slips and falls, explosions, or equipment failure
Oilfield environments are known for their use of heavy machinery, as well as the use of hazardous chemicals, and flammable substances. Employers and property owners are responsible for maintaining safe working conditions and complying with both state and federal safety regulations. If they fail to do this, it can result in serious injuries to those on the premises.
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About Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC
At Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC, our attorneys are here to do whatever is necessary to secure the full amount of compensation you deserve after a serious or even fatal oilfield accident in New Mexico. We are here to treat all of our clients with compassion and competence and understand how completely life-altering oilfield accident injuries can be.
When these companies put profits over people, we’re here to stand up and seek the most favorable results.
FAQs
What Causes Oilfield Accidents in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, there are several causes behind oilfield accidents. Common causes include falls from great heights, explosions, gas leaks, oil spills, crane accidents, chemical releases, electrocution, fires, fracking accidents, and machinery malfunctions.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury in NM?
In New Mexico, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim under state law. This means that if you do not file within this window of time, your case will likely be dismissed, and you will not be able to recover any kind of compensation. This goes for wrongful death claims as well.
What Should You Do if You Are Injured in an Oilfield Accident?
If you are injured in an oilfield accident, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries appear minor, getting evaluated by a medical professional can help identify injuries that are not immediately visible and that could result in lasting harm if left untreated. You should also contact an attorney promptly to discuss your legal rights and potential claims.
Can You Seek Wrongful Death Damages for an Oilfield Accident?
Yes. In New Mexico, you may be able to seek wrongful death damages following an oilfield accident if you have lost a loved one. Depending on your relationship with the deceased, you may consult with a lawyer regarding a wrongful death claim in which you can pursue damages, such as related medical expenses, burial and funeral costs, and loss of financial support.
Hire an Oilfield Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or you lost a loved one who was lawfully on the premises of an oilfield in New Mexico, you are likely entitled to recover compensation. When you hire an oilfield accident lawyer from Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC, we understand that this is a difficult time and want to be there for you in whatever way we can.
Contact our offices today at 123 W. San Francisco Street in Santa Fe to learn more about what compensation oilfield injury victims can recover in New Mexico. Let our team help you move forward with confidence.
About the author:
Brian Egolf
Partner at
Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC
Brian Egolf is a Partner at Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He represents clients in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, whistleblower, and complex civil litigation matters. He is admitted to practice in New Mexico and before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Brian earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of New Mexico School of Law and his B.S. from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.
