Bakersfield Oilfield Accident Lawyers
Bakersfield oilfield accident lawyers assist individuals suffering from a variety of injuries on the job. This industry is known to be difficult and even dangerous. However, injured workers are not without legal recourse, so you can always contact our Bakersfield oilfield accident attorneys if you are suffering from an oilfield injury. Recently, Chain | Cohn | Clark helped resolve a case for $10 million for a man who was burned over 80 percent of his body in an oilfield accident.
Kern County is well-known for oil production, and the oil industry is a major employer in the area. But there are serious risks that come with the jobs the oil industry provides, including:
- Dangerous heavy machinery
- Equipment operating at high pressures
- Toxic chemicals and fumes
- Explosions and fires
By law, every employer must provide a safe work environment, develop safety protocols, and provide adequate employee training. But despite these and other regulations, the pressure to keep pumping oil often leads to unsafe conditions, accidents, devastating injuries, and even fatalities.
If you were injured or lost a family member in an oilfield accident, you are most likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But in some instances, you may be able to receive damages through a personal injury claim. Pursuing the wrong type of claim may mean thousands or, in some cases, even millions less in compensation.
It’s hard to know what to do, especially when you’re trying to recover from injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one.
To decide which legal avenue to pursue, you need to know . . .
- The workers’ compensation system
- Personal injury law
- The inner workings of the oil industry
Fortunately, the oilfield accident attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark are experienced in all three of these areas.
Injured in an Oilfield Accident? Get a Free Consultation
Many people worry that they can’t afford a lawyer. But if you want fair compensation after an oilfield accident, you can’t afford not to have an attorney’s advice.
The good news is that Chain | Cohn | Clark’s oilfield accident lawyers don’t charge anything up front. In fact, you likely won’t have any out-of-pocket costs during the legal process. Instead, your attorney is paid a pre-agreed percentage of the damages you’re awarded after your case settles or there’s a verdict in your favor.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
Client Stories
We can assure you that Chain | Cohn | Clark is the best choice to represent you in your oilfield accident case. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. Chain | Cohn | Clark was voted “Best Personal Injury Law Firm” in The Bakersfield Californian’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Poll.
And there are plenty of client stories that attest to the quality of our services, including people like:
Terry, who was burned by asphalt oil on the job: “I was worried about losing my job and how the case would impact my job,” Terry says. “We were able to work on a great settlement, and I still work at the same place.”
- Gordon, who was severely injured in a gas line explosion: “I can’t say enough good things about everyone in the office. This law firm has always made me feel like part of the family, in and out of the office,” Gordon says. “I came in during frightening circumstances, but I didn’t feel scared because everyone made me feel at ease. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
- Roberto, who was injured at work: “My medical bills were piling up, and I was told I had to go back to work, but I was still hurt,” he says. “I figured I needed an attorney to help me figure out what to do next.” Ultimately, Roberto was pleased with the outcome of his case. “I’m very happy. Whenever I know someone who gets hurt on the job, I’ll be happy to recommend this law firm.”
- John, who was burned at work when a steam line blew out: “The lawyers and staff at Chain | Cohn | Clark are some of the most heartfelt, trustworthy, and caring people I have ever worked with,” John says. “I thank you all for everything you have done for my family and I,” he wrote to the firm. “You guys and girls truly changed my life. I am forever grateful!”
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$11
million
Auto Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
$7.5
million
Pedestrian Accident
Oilfield Accident Case Results
Chain | Cohn | Clark has more experience with oilfield accident cases than any other law firm in California. We’ve also garnered more multimillion-dollar case results for oilfield accident clients than any other California firm.
Every case is unique, so we can’t promise a particular result or dollar amount. But we’ll do everything in our power to ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.
- Oilfield accident: $10 million. An accident on the job caused burns to over 80% of our client’s body.
- Oilfield accident: $4.25 million. Another employee operating heavy equipment crushed our client’s right hand, resulting in his middle finger being amputated.
- Oilfield accident: $4.15 million. Our client was killed in an oil well blowout that resulted from the defendant’s negligence.
- Oilfield accident: $3 million. Our clients were seriously injured when a kiln burner, part of an improperly designed trolley and rail system, fell on them.
- Oilfield accident: $2.15 million. Our clients were burned by 550°F steam while replacing a valve on an oil lease due to the oil company’s negligence.
Local Oilfield Accident Attorneys
Since the discovery of oil in Kern County in the late 1800s, the oil industry has played a significant role in the local economy:
- According to the California Department of Conservation, seven of California’s 10 most productive oilfields in 2021 were in Kern County.
- Just three of those oilfields—Midway-Sunset, South Belridge, and Kern River—were responsible for more than 37% of the state’s crude oil production.
But Chain | Cohn | Clark has been around nearly as long. The firm was founded in Bakersfield in 1934, and over the last ninety years, we’ve built a reputation for fighting for justice for the underdog.
Like the oil industry and the hard-working people that keep it running, we’re part of the community. Six of our eight attorneys are natives of Bakersfield or Kern County. We’re a truly local law firm dedicated to securing fair treatment for our injured clients.
Oilfield Accident FAQs
Maybe. Workers’ compensation covers most workplace accidents. Generally, you cannot sue your employer while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
However, there may be circumstances related to your case that allow you to sue, such as:
- If your employer covered up unsafe working conditions
- If there were negligent actions by a third party (not your direct employer) on site (e.g., a contractor or the lease owner)
The best way to learn about the options for your case is to speak with one of our oilfield accident attorneys.
There are two main areas of difference between workers’ compensation claims and personal injury claims:
- Fault. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means you don’t need to prove that your employer was at fault to collect benefits. In a personal injury case, you must prove that the defendant was negligent—that is, they failed to act with reasonable care.
- Damages. There are caps on workers’ compensation benefits, while there are no caps on damages in a personal injury claim. In addition, the workers’ compensation system does not allow you to collect anything for the pain and suffering you endure as a result of your injuries.
Read our FAQ on workers’ compensation benefits for more details.
Under both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, you can receive money to cover:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages (capped at two-thirds of your average weekly pay under workers’ compensation)
- Compensation for temporary or permanent disability
Under a personal injury claim, you may also receive non-economic damages for things such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship (in a wrongful death case)
Experienced Oilfield Accident Lawyers
Oilfield accident claims are complex and require an intimate knowledge of the oil industry, the workers’ compensation system, and personal injury law.
On top of this, maximizing your compensation typically demands a thorough investigation and the help of expert witnesses (e.g., metallurgists, engineers, etc.).
The Bakersfield oilfield accident attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark can help you navigate the legal process as you recover from your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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