According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Minnesota has the largest oil refinery outside of any state that produces its own oil. Although the state currently has no oil reserves for production, approximately 30% of all crude oil imports are brought to Minnesota for refining and processing. In addition, many Minnesotans may travel to North Dakota or other states to work in the oilfields. With so many oil products being refined, processed, handled, and moved through Minnesota, it is more important than ever for the state’s oil industry to prioritize safety above all else.
However, oil refinery workers often complain of unsafe working conditions and lapse safety protocols. If you were hurt on-the-job while at an oilfield or refinery in Minnesota, you should tell the oilfield accident lawyers of Maring Williams Law Office in Detroit Lakes. Our team has built a law firm on a simple yet effective premise: clients deserve a comfortable, welcoming experience when pursuing compensation.
Oil refineries are complex structures and systems made to process crude oil and refine it. Throughout the average refinery, heavy equipment, pressurized tanks, heat sources, and intricate pipework can be found. If safety is not a priority and maintenance around the site is inadequate, any of these components of an oilfield or refinery can fail and cause an accident.
Common injuries around an oilfield or refinery include:
Your employment status is critically important when trying to pursue compensation after an oilfield accident. If you are an employee at a refinery in Minnesota and you are provided workers’ compensation benefits, then you could be required to seek compensation through a workers’ compensation claim, rather than a personal injury claim.
This is not always the case, though. If you were hurt by a third party’s mistakes, then you might be able to file a claim against them as well as a workers’ comp claim with your employer. Independent contractors without workers’ compensation might have no choice in the matter and must use a personal injury claim after an accident.
For injury claims, liability matters. If you are found to be mostly liable for your own injuries, then the court might reject your claim. Otherwise, the damage total you can seek will be reduced by your percentage of liability, down to a 0% reduction for being 0% liable for your oilfield accident.
Damages you might be able to collect in a successful oilfield or refinery accident claim:
At Maring Williams Law Office in Detroit Lakes, we understand that some of the most significant damages experienced by an oilfield accident claimant are noneconomic. The emotional trauma, pain, and suffering caused by a catastrophic injury can leave a long-lasting toll, as well as unpredictable spikes of pain. We work diligently to calculate fair damages on your behalf, including past, future, economic, and noneconomic sources.
