How Can I Choose the Best Oil Field Accident Attorney?

If you work in an oil field, you’re probably well aware of how dangerous such sites can be. When it comes to oil field deaths, Texas led the nation with 44 fatalities in 2017 and deaths continue year after year.. The number of workers who suffered non-fatal injuries is  much, much  higher.

An experienced oil field accident attorney can help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries. However, choosing the right attorney can be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to recover after your accident. Here’s how to find a smart match for your case.

Choose an Attorney Who Understands Oil Field Accidents

You wouldn’t hire a lawyer who only handles car accidents if you had a medical malpractice case, would you? Of course not. This is why you must pick a personal injury lawyer who deeply understands the pitfalls involved with working on an oil rig, understands the culture, and knows the unique vocabulary frequently found on oil rigs.  

Some of the causes of oil field accidents include:

• A lack of training
• Inadequate safety inspections
• Poorly maintained or defective equipment
• Exposure to dangerous chemicals
• A lack of staff, which leads to overworked employees who can make fatal mistakes
• Language barriers
• Job schedules that put production over the well-being of workers

At Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, we have decades of working with oil field cases.   Our attorney’s have fought, and won, against some of the biggest producers in the nation.   We know and understand the oil field and most importantly, we know how to win these cases. 

Look Over Client Reviews

Often, reviews from former clients of an oil field attorney tell you everything you must know about an attorney’s quality. Google is a good place to start your review hunt. You can also dig up reviews on law-oriented sites such as Avvo, NOLO, and FindLaw.

When reading reviews, ask:

• Does the lawyer seem to stay in touch with clients, or will you have to hound the attorney for a callback?
• Do they charge hidden fees?
• What’s their personality like? Are they professional and compassionate, or gruff and uncaring?
• What’s the average settlement for a lawsuit like yours?
• Do clients say they won their case? 

If you see more than a few complaints about losses, you may want to look elsewhere.

Large Firm or Small Firm?

While searching for an oil field accident attorney, you’ll have to choose between a large firm or a smaller one. Both have perks and drawbacks.

Large firms take on many clients, which gives their attorneys lots of experience. They may also have strong relationships with the local courts. On the other hand, such a firm might be too busy to give your case the attention it needs.

Smaller firms tend to have more time to devote to your case. Additionally, a small firm’s lawyers may be hungry for a win to add to their portfolio. They may not be as experienced as the attorneys at a big firm, though. 

Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy, and Conaway sits right between both large and small firms, giving us the ability to provide all of the benefits of each, without any of the drawbacks.

Consider the Attorney’s Fee Structure

Some law firms charge upfront, while others don’t require any payment unless they win your case (called a contingency model). In a contingency model, the lawyer takes their pay from your settlement or award. This can be appealing if you can’t afford to hire a lawyer out of your own pocket. Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy, and Conaway won’t charge any fees until we win your case. 

Have an In-Person Interview

It’s tough to know what a lawyer is really like with nothing more than a phone call. For a better idea of a lawyer’s demeanor and personality, ask if you can have an in-person meeting before hiring them for your case.

During the meeting, listen to what your gut says about the lawyer and check out references and credentials.

Call Us If You’ve Had a Workplace Accident at an Oil Field

If you’ve had an accident related to your job at an oil field, call a lawyer quickly. Many states give you just two years to file a lawsuit, others even less, while other states may give you a little more time. If you pass the deadline, you can’t seek compensation.

For a consultation with an oil field accident attorney, call Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C. at (800) 433-2408.