Oilfield accidents may happen to any worker. This is due to different reasons which may be self-caused or negligence of others. If an oilfield accident is caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness, the victim has the legal right to demand compensation. This is where oilfield accident lawyers come in. Their responsibility here is to help you pursue your compensation. This settlement process is meant to offload several financial burdens the event may bring upon you, which may include medical expenses and lost wages. Below is the step-by-step process involved in oilfield accident claims.
Submission of a Formal Demand Letter to the Insurance Company
The first step after the circumstances towards getting compensated for oilfield accidents is to prepare a comprehensive formal demand letter and file it to the insurance company for the entity or individual that caused the injuries. This letter will be accompanied by necessary documentation that explains more about the incidents and why your claim is valid. You need the best Odessa Oilfield accident lawyer to get this done. The letter typically contains a monetary demand (medical bills and load wages) and documentation (a statement from witnesses and the victim, medical records, and lost wage statements).
Evaluation and Negotiation Stage
After submitting your formal demand letter to the insurance company, it is now the responsibility of the insurance adjuster to evaluate the documentation and proceed to make a settlement offer for the claim resolution. With the help of an experienced oilfield accident lawyer, the recovery of maximum and fair compensation you are entitled to will be negotiated on your behalf. In the evaluation and negotiation stage, the subjects of discussion will focus on the wages lost, the cost of past and future medical treatments, emotional suffering, and the negative impact the accident has on your daily life.
Settlement Agreement or Lawsuit
After the first stage of filing a demand letter and the second stage of evaluation and negotiation, the third stage will be determined by the outcome of the second stage. In the third stage, the case may be considered resolved if there is an agreement on a suitable settlement value between you and the company or entity that is liable for the claim. On the other hand, the case may remain open if the settlement demand is not successful, perhaps because of the stated amount. In this situation, you may need your oilfield accident lawyer again to file a lawsuit on your behalf. However, it should be noted that the case may still be settled before trial in the discovery phase.
Trial or Binding Arbitration
The final stage is taking the case to a jury trial or binding arbitration. At this level, your oilfield accident lawyer will represent you to defend your legal interests. The jury will then decide the issues. It’s important that you seek the advice of your lawyer on whether to take the case to jury trial or accept a pending settlement.