Crush injuries are extremely serious. They can lead to long-term effects on your health, including complete disability or organ failure, and in the worst cases, crush injuries are fatal. If you need the help of a Midland crush injury lawyer, call the experienced team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP. We have helped many injured workers and their families win cases like these. We can help you, too.
Crush Injury Facts
Construction sites, oil fields and refineries are all among Texas’s most dangerous work sites. Overall, it leads the nation in fatal oil field accidents, and roughly 25% of all fatal work accidents that happen at an oil field or refinery involve crushing.
Very few crush injuries are minor. They often lead to lost limbs, damaged organs, and crushed spines (which can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia). A qualified, competent Midland crush injury lawyer will help victims and their families understand what the future holds after these life-altering accidents.
Crush Injury Lawsuits
Here in Midland, TX, workers’ compensation insurance covers many, but not all workplace injuries. Some victims are self-employed, while others work for a subcontractor or small business. These victims still have the right to sue for their injuries. The negligent party may be a refinery, a commercial property owner, an extraction company, or someone else.
What is a Non-Subscriber?
Employers and small businesses who opt out of workers’ comp insurance coverage are still responsible for their negligence under non-subscriber law, especially regarding a debilitating crush injury. Identifying the negligent party may be the first hurdle a victim or their family faces, and a seasoned Midland crush injury attorney can help victims understand who is at fault.
Other Ways a Lawyer Can Help
Beyond identifying an at-fault party, a Midland lawyer can help victims collect the evidence they need for a lawsuit. Examples of helpful evidence include:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy records
- Prescription drug receipts
- Pay stubs that prove lost income
- Emergency room records and discharge papers
- Photos and videos of the injury and the work site
- Invoices for other services, like child care or help around the home
When a personal injury attorney is well-versed in this area of law, they can help victims and families understand their financial future and assess the value of an insurer’s settlement offer.
Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer for Your Injury
Shortly after a crush injury at work, a representative from an insurer may approach the victim and their family with a small settlement offer. This is a difficult time for families and victims because the costs of care keep piling up while the primary breadwinner is at home, recovering.
Remember, if the victim accepts this offer, they cannot sue for more damages later. Should the injuries be more serious than first diagnosed, or if they will lead to other disorders, victims and families find themselves in dire financial straits. One should never accept the first settlement offer made by any insurance company. Speak to a lawyer first.
Consult with a Midland Crush Injury Attorney Today
The talented and experienced team of attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP, understands the severity of these incidents. We have helped many families collect the funds they deserve after these accidents. Call now to schedule your consultation with a Midland crush injury lawyer. We look forward to fighting tirelessly on behalf of you and your family.
