New Mexico Oil Field Chemical Exposure Attorneys
Fighting for Oil Field Chemical Exposure Victims in Artesia, Carlsbad, Hobbs, Jal, and Lovington
Oil field workers operate in some of the most hazardous industrial environments and are routinely exposed to a variety of potentially dangerous substances. Crude oil, drilling fluids, and various chemicals used in the extraction process all pose significant risks to workers’ health and safety when mishandled.
If you suffered injuries or health complications because of exposure to harmful substances at work, you could be entitled to compensation and should not wait to get legal advice. At Simon Perdue, we provide personalized and results-driven representation to injured oil field workers. Our New Mexico oil field chemical exposure lawyers are skilled investigators, negotiators, and litigators, and we are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you. We do not give up and will fight to get you the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
Chemical exposure cases can be complicated, so do not hesitate to seek legal guidance if you have questions about your rights and legal options. Contact us online or call (505) 588-5962 to schedule a free initial consultation today.
When We're On The Case
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We'll take your case and fight until the end. We'll take a trial over a settlement because we know you deserve more.
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As former big oil defense attorneys, we know the tricks and trades the other side uses.
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We know the opposing side is not always forthright with their evidence. We know what we want, and will not stop until we get it.
Common Causes of Chemical Exposure in Oil Fields
Chemical exposure refers to the condition in which a person comes into contact with hazardous chemicals, either through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or injection. This exposure can occur in various settings, including workplaces like oil fields, factories, laboratories, or even in homes. The health effects of chemical exposure depend on the type of chemical, the duration and intensity of the exposure, and how the chemical enters the body.
Routes of chemical exposure include:
- Inhalation: Breathing in chemical fumes, dust, vapors, or gases. This is one of the most common ways chemicals can enter the body, especially in environments where toxic substances are airborne.
- Skin Contact: Many chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, especially if they are corrosive, toxic, or solvent-based. Direct skin contact can lead to burns, rashes, or systemic toxicity if the chemical is absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Ingestion: This occurs when chemicals are accidentally swallowed, which can happen if food or drink becomes contaminated with toxic substances.
- Injection: While less common, injection exposure happens when a chemical is accidentally injected into the body, often through a puncture wound or medical procedures.
Chemical exposure in oil fields is a significant risk for workers due to the use of hazardous substances in various processes. Common causes of chemical exposure in oil fields include:
- Drilling Fluids: Oil and gas drilling involves the use of drilling muds, which can contain harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, xylene, and other hydrocarbons. These fluids help cool and lubricate the drill bit but can lead to exposure through skin contact or inhalation.
- Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking): In hydraulic fracturing, large volumes of water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the ground to extract oil or gas. Workers can be exposed to chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may evaporate into the air or contaminate groundwater.
- Storage and Transportation of Chemicals: Chemicals used in oil extraction, refining, and processing need to be transported and stored on-site. Accidental spills, leaks, or improper handling can lead to exposure, especially if protective measures are not taken.
- Refining and Processing: Oil field workers involved in the refining process can be exposed to hazardous chemicals like sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic gases released during crude oil processing.
- Well Servicing and Maintenance: Regular servicing of oil wells, such as acidizing and chemical treatment to stimulate production, often involves handling dangerous substances like acids and solvents that pose risks through inhalation or contact with skin.
- Gas Flaring: Flaring of excess gas at oil fields can release dangerous chemicals, including benzene and sulfur compounds, into the air, putting workers at risk of inhalation exposure.
- Waste Disposal: Waste materials from oil production, including chemical-laden water or sludge, need proper disposal. Improper handling or disposal can lead to contamination of soil and groundwater, posing long-term exposure risks.
supporting You through your legal journey
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Joel always validated my feelings and wanted the best for me. He was thorough and transparent throughout the whole process. I highly recommend Joel for any of your litigation needs.- Former Client
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I couldn’t have chosen a better law firm to finish my case. Joel was knowledgeable and helped with any questions my husband and myself may have had.- Former Client
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After losing a friend and nearly my own life in explosion at work, Joel Simon made me feel like family and fought for me. Got me what I deserved.- Former Client
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Simon Perdue was attentive to my needs and the issues of my case. He answered all my questions and kept me informed about every step.- Former Client
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Joel, thank you again for fighting in my favor. You have changed my life and way of thinking drastically, I am now becoming a business owner. You are an angel in human form with your line of work and would not have chosen any other lawyer. The way you treated me and my family in making sure we were taken care of, I gratefully appreciate you for that. May you continue the good fight for God and may you and your family continue being blessed.- Ryan P.
Recovering Compensation for Oil Field Chemical Exposure Injuries in New Mexico
Most New Mexico employers, including oil fields, are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and you typically have the right to file a claim and seek workers’ compensation benefits if you are an employee who was injured at work. This includes situations where a work-related exposure may have been “invisible,” with the health consequences accumulating over time.
Workers’ compensation benefits include coverage of medical expenses as well as a percentage of your lost wages. Getting the benefits you are entitled to is not always easy, however, as your employer or their insurance company are not necessarily looking out for you. They could try to offer less than what you deserve or even deny your claim by suggesting your injuries are not work-related, especially if you sustained long-term health effects that may seem difficult to link to your workplace.
You do not have to navigate New Mexico’s workers’ compensation system alone when you suffer chemical exposure injuries. Our team at Simon Perdue can assist with every element of your claim, including appeals, and will push until we secure a fair result.
In some cases, an oil field chemical exposure event may be caused by a third party’s negligence. A third party refers to a person or organization other than your employer or a co-worker. In these scenarios, you may have the right to bring a personal injury claim against the negligent third party and seek damages. Our New Mexico oil field chemical exposure attorneys can fight to hold the responsible party accountable and recover just compensation, including non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering and disfigurement) not covered by workers’ compensation benefits.
We are relentless litigators who always prepare cases to go to trial. You can count on our team to do everything possible to deliver maximum compensation.
You have limited time to take legal action after suffering work-related chemical exposure injuries, so do not wait to call (505) 588-5962 or contact us online to start discussing your legal options!
Common Oil Field Chemical Exposure Injuries
Many injuries and health conditions stemming from dangerous chemical exposure are catastrophic in nature, meaning they are irreversible and transform how victims must live their lives. In some cases, the injuries or health complications may be so severe that workers are unable to return to their jobs, a burden compounded by the huge medical costs that come with treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive services. These realities highlight why it is in your best interest to promptly hire legal representation after suffering injuries that may be linked to chemical exposure at work.
Our New Mexico oil field chemical exposure lawyers are prepared to fight for you in cases involving:
- Chemical burns. Direct skin contact with corrosive chemicals, such as those found in drilling fluids or industrial cleaning solutions, can lead to chemical burns, which may cause severe skin damage and require immediate medical treatment.
- Respiratory irritation and damage. Inhalation of toxic fumes from VOCs or sulfur-containing gases can cause various degrees of respiratory distress, from temporary irritation and difficulty breathing to chronic conditions like bronchitis or even chemical pneumonia.
- Cancer. Prolonged contact with carcinogenic hydrocarbons present in crude oil has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancers like leukemia and skin cancer, particularly when protective measures are lacking.
advocating for the maximum compensation
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$40,000,000 Wrongful Death
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$17,000,000 Oilfield Explosion
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$15,000,000 Truck Accident
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$10,500,000 Brain Injury
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$3,000,000 Head Injury
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$3,000,000 Back Injury