Moore & Associates is an oilfield unpaid overtime lawyer in Houston, Texas who helps oilfield workers recover unpaid wages and recover lost benefits due to employee misclassification issues. It has come to light that sometimes oilfield workers have been wrongfully classified as independent contractors. The major difference between an employee and an independent contractor comes down to responsibilities, titles, and rights. Independent contractors may not be entitled to receive overtime pay nor might they have access to Worker’s Compensation benefits, while employees may be required under the law to receive time and a half pay for every hour they work over 40 hours and also receive Worker’s Compensation benefits if they are injured on the job. Independent contractors may be required to supply their own equipment, pay for their own insurance, and pay self-employment taxes, while employees should be provided with safety equipment and Worker’s Compensation benefits.
Oilfield companies and contractors have sometimes misclassified oilfield workers to avoid having to pay their workers for overtime, and to avoid the responsibility of having Worker’s Compensation insurance for these employees. Sometimes workers were injured on the job, and were told that they were not entitled to receive Worker’s Compensation coverage for their injuries because they were told that they were classified as independent contractors. This can result the worker shouldering the burden of paying for medical expenses.
However, if you were misclassified and should have legally been classified as an employee, you may be entitled to seek unpaid overtime as well as compensation for Worker’s Compensation benefits if you were injured on the job. If you were hurt on the oilfield and were denied Worker’s Compensation, but should have received this coverage because you were considered an employee, you may have the right to seek compensation from your employer for losses stemming from this misclassification. Moore & Associates are oilfield unpaid overtime lawyers in Houston, Texas who understand the unique challenges that can arise when workers are misclassified. Not only do workers lose out on wages, but they also lose out on access to important benefits. Our law firm can review your unique situation and help you understand the options you might have under the law when it comes to seeking justice for your losses.
Risks of the Oilfield
Worker’s Compensation is an important benefit that oilfield workers enjoy because working on the oilfield can be incredibly dangerous. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, oilfield workers face a number of hazards. These hazards include:
- Oilfield car accidents and truck accidents
- Explosions
- Burns
- Falls
- Equipment and electrical hazards
These are just some of the types of hazards workers face on the job. If you were hurt in a truck accident, explosion, were burned in a fire, suffered a fall, or were injured while using equipment, or were not provided with proper safety equipment and training and were hurt, generally, Worker’s Compensation protects you and would pay your medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, retraining costs, and other costs, including the cost to travel to and from doctor’s appointments. However, if your employer said that you were an independent contractor or misclassified you as an independent contractor, you may not have had access to these benefits following a workplace injury. These benefits can be incredibly valuable. They can cover your medical costs, cover disability if you have had to miss time from work (including paying you for lost wages while you were out of work), and these benefits can help you pay for important work retraining that can help you re-join the workforce. If you have been denied these benefits, you may want to speak to Moore & Associates, unpaid overtime lawyers in Houston, Texas. We can review your situation, help you understand the next steps, and may be able to fight for all types of unpaid compensation you may be entitled to receive under the law.
Fight for Your Rights
The oilfield industry has come under fire for failing to pay its workers for overtime and for denying some workers the benefits they may have been entitled to receive. If this describes your situation, you may have the right to fight back. Unfortunately some oilfield workers may not always be aware of their rights.
The oil industry makes millions every year. However, when the industry places profits over worker’s rights and worker’s wages, companies and contractors can find themselves held accountable for fairly compensating their workers. Not all workers may understand their rights and may believe their employers when these employers tell them they are not entitled to receive benefits. If you have questions about what your rights might be and want to understand more about whether your rights were violated, reach out to Moore & Associates, an unpaid wages law firm in Houston, Texas today. We stand beside workers and fight for workers’ rights in Texas.
