Work Injury Attorneys in Albuquerque Have Won $20+ Billion for Clients
From the oilfields of the Permian Basin to construction sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico workers face serious risks every day. A fall from scaffolding. A malfunctioning rig. A refinery explosion near Hobbs. Even a delivery route through I-40 traffic can turn dangerous in an instant. Whether you're on a drilling site, behind the wheel, or on a warehouse floor, one thing remains true: when companies cut corners on safety, it's workers who pay the price.
If you've been seriously hurt on the job, don't wait. Arnold & Itkin has won record-setting verdicts and settlements for workers nationwide—recovering billions for our clients—because we refuse to settle for less than what's right. We take on the biggest companies, stand up to their insurers, and fight for the full compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives. No matter what.
Workers in New Mexico face heightened risks in several key industries that drive the state's economy—from oil and gas to construction and transportation. The very nature of these occupations, often involving heavy machinery, hazardous substances, and manual labor, increases the chances that an accident will have disastrous consequences.
Oil & Gas Extraction Widely recognized as one of the deadliest industries in the country, oil and gas extraction presents serious risks such as oil rig explosions, heavy equipment accidents, falls from heights, and transportation incidents. The New Mexico oil and gas industry fatality rate is the second highest among all oil and gas workers nationwide.
Construction & Excavation New Mexico workers in construction and excavation face threats from falls, electrocutions, machinery accidents, and trench collapses, to name a few. Whether on oilfields in the Permian Basin, on busy roadways like Interstate 10, or urban construction zones near Albuquerque, the risk in construction work is real and must be addressed.
Transportation & Warehousing Transportation incidents are the leading cause of workplace deaths in New Mexico, accounting for 58% of fatal industrial accidents in 2023. Commercial drivers, including those in trucking and delivery, also face dangers from fatigue, heavy equipment rollovers, and highway collisions, especially along I-25, I-40, and rural farm-to-market roads.
Manufacturing & Mining Machinery accidents in factories and at mining sites contribute significantly to nonfatal injuries and fatalities in New Mexico. Equipment failure, violations of lockout/tagout procedures, and lax safety cultures can create environments where workers are at risk of suffering catastrophic crush injuries, lost limbs, entrapment, and other life-altering trauma.
Arnold & Itkin's New Mexico personal injury attorneys have led catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases against energy giants, construction firms, trucking companies, and other large corporations across the U.S. We know who to investigate, what evidence matters, and how to build cases that give injured workers the opportunity at the highest possible recovery.
Injured in an Industrial Accident? Here's What You Should Do.
If you were harmed in an industrial accident or any type of workplace accident in Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico, there are steps you can take to protect your health, your financial stability, and your long-term well-being.
After a New Mexico work accident, take the following steps to protect your interests:
Seek medical care. If you weren't taken from the scene by ambulance for emergency treatment, go to your local urgent care center or see your doctor as soon as you can. Tell them you were injured in a workplace accident and describe what happened. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should seek treatment to avoid further harm.
Inform your employer. In New Mexico, you have only 15 days from the date of a workplace accident or injury to inform your employer. If you wait longer than 15 days, your ability to recover workers' compensation benefits may be jeopardized. Inform your employer in writing and keep records of all communication about your injury.
Talk to an attorney. Even with workers' compensation benefits, which are supposed to be provided on a no-fault basis, you may run into trouble getting the medical care and money you need. Delays, underpayments, and even outright denials are all too common when it comes to New Mexico work accident cases. An industrial injury attorney in Albuquerque can help with your workers' compensation claim and can determine whether you can seek additional compensation through a third-party lawsuit against someone other than your employer or a co-worker.
Arnold & Itkin is uniquely qualified to handle your work injury case. Since the beginning, when Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin founded this firm in 2004, they did so with the intention of helping people through the worst situations of their lives. Our attorneys represent the hardest-working Americans: offshore crews, seamen, plant and refinery workers, truckers, warehouse personnel, and all others who have been harmed because large corporations chose profits over safety.
Workers' Compensation for New Mexico Work Accidents
Each state, including New Mexico, has a workers' compensation system in place that provides benefits for those who are injured in workplace accidents or are diagnosed with occupational diseases. This is a no-fault system, which means the injured worker does not need to prove negligence (or fault) to recover benefits. Even if the worker was to blame for their own injuries, as long as they were not caused intentionally or as a result of drug or alcohol use, the worker would likely be entitled to benefits. Employers typically have insurance providers to cover workers' comp benefits.
In New Mexico, employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers' comp insurance. Construction companies are required to provide workers' compensation coverage for all their workers, no matter how many employees they may have. Workers' compensation covers medical treatment and two-thirds of an injured worker's average weekly wage but may not exceed the New Mexico average weekly wage, which was $1,041.79 as of January 1, 2024.
Workers' compensation has many advantages, such as no-fault coverage, but it does not provide for all of a worker's injuries and losses, such as emotional trauma, full loss of wages and future earnings, and punitive damages.
Third-Party Lawsuits for New Mexico Work Injuries
In some cases, an injured worker may have grounds for a third-party lawsuit. Because workers' compensation does not provide total coverage for lost earnings, loss of future earnings, emotional trauma, and other non-economic damages, a third-party personal injury lawsuit can make a considerable difference in a worker's ability to rebuild.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident and its cause, an injured worker may be able to file a third-party lawsuit against whichever party was responsible for their injuries, such as:
The manufacturer of a defective or dangerous product.
A vendor or customer that acted negligently and caused the worker harm.
The owner of a residential or commercial building where the worker was injured.
A third-party work injury lawsuit in New Mexico will require the plaintiff (injured worker) to prove that the defendant (the allegedly at-fault party) is responsible for their injuries. For example, an injured delivery driver may be able to file a third-party lawsuit against another motorist if that person was texting while driving and ran a red light, striking the delivery driver's vehicle and causing harm. The delivery driver must prove that the motorist caused the accident.
Because fault is involved in New Mexico work accident cases of this kind, working with an attorney is crucial. A thorough investigation must be completed to determine cause and build a compelling case that gives the worker the best opportunity at a just settlement or verdict—one that covers all their injuries and losses.
Protecting Industrial Workers in Albuquerque, NM & Nationwide
Work injuries and industrial accidents in New Mexico happen most often in high-risk industries. In the Albuquerque area, incidents are more likely to occur at construction sites, manufacturing plants, and transportation hubs, as well as at warehouses supporting regional freight moving along I‑25 and I‑40. Across the state, oilfield and refinery accidents are common in the Permian Basin near Hobbs and Carlsbad, while mining and energy-related injuries are prevalent in the Four Corners region around Farmington.
From falls at construction zones to explosions at oil and gas facilities, these workplaces present serious hazards that can lead to catastrophic injuries if safety is ignored. Industrial workers face a plethora of work hazards daily; however, it should not be expected for them to sustain catastrophic injuries. Whether you have been injured while working in a mine, in a factory, or on a construction site, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. By working with an experienced industrial injury attorney in New Mexico, you can take the necessary steps toward recovery.
Some industrial workers must work with and in close proximity to heavy machinery, toxic substances, and complex equipment. Mistakes, lack of training, or lax safety procedures can cause disastrous industrial accidents.
Our firm can help individuals who have been involved in industrial accidents at chemical plants, factories, warehouses, refineries, mines, and all other industrial worksites in Albuquerque, across New Mexico, and nationwide. Industrial workers are more likely to suffer catastrophic harm in a workplace accident due to the nature of their job duties.
Case Spotlight: Helping a Worker Injured in a Commercial Vehicle Crash
When a worker was seriously injured in a commercial vehicle collision in Hobbs, New Mexico, he contacted Arnold & Itkin. A husband and father of three, he sustained injuries so severe that they were affecting his ability to work and his overall quality of life. As he focuses on recovering and spending time with his family, our attorneys are seeking answers and fair compensation on his behalf.
Other recent work and industrial accident case filings include:
When we represent injured workers, we stop at nothing to help them find answers and hold at-fault parties accountable. Even when the case is complex. Even when the opponent has a team of lawyers determined to undermine our every attempt. Our New Mexico work accident lawyers fight to win, because that is how we change lives.
"At Arnold & Itkin, the whole company is selfless—amazing…I don’t think I could have made it through without them. I was very happy with the outcome of the case, very happy. See? I can’t stop grinning."
Employers Are Responsible for Preventing Industrial Accidents
Since 1971, OSHA has worked with employers and employees alike to promote increased safety in the workplace, particularly industrial worksites. These efforts help keep industrial workers and all employers safe at work.
Some pieces of regulations enforced by OSHA include:
Increased use of guards to cover machinery parts.
Efforts to keep healthcare workers from being exposed.
Increased safety training for workers throughout the United States.
Mandatory usage of protective equipment when handling chemicals.
Through its efforts, the rate of workplace accidents has decreased; however, that does not mean that the problem has disappeared. According to the National Safety Council, there were 4.53 million work-related medically consulted injuries in 2022. This means that the worker sought medical care for their injury. Every year, about half of reported occupational injuries and illnesses result in the employee needing to take several days off work.
In New Mexico, some of the state’s largest employers operate in industries where serious workplace accidents are more likely to occur. In the Albuquerque area, major employers include Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho, Sandia National Laboratories, and the University of New Mexico Hospital. Statewide, oil and gas companies in the Permian Basin, such as those operating near Hobbs and Carlsbad, and public sector employers like Los Alamos National Laboratory, employ thousands. These employers are legally required to follow OSHA standards and provide safe working conditions, but when they fail to do so, workers pay the price with life-changing injuries—or worse.
Call Our New Mexico Work Injury Attorneys at (888) 493-1629
Whether you are an employee and work part-time or full-time, and even if you're an independent contractor or are self-employed, you can get experienced insight from our team at Arnold & Itkin. We're ready to discuss your legal options so you can get the support and care you need after a New Mexico workplace accident, injury, or illness.
We help all types of workers in New Mexico and nationwide, including:
When your future seems uncertain, when medical bills are piling up, and when you're left dealing with the aftermath of a work injury, you need a team you can count on to handle everything while you focus your energy on healing. That's Arnold & Itkin. We have the resources to investigate New Mexico work accident claims and the experience to handle workers' compensation and personal injury cases that maximize your recovery.
The first step is a free initial consultation with an Albuquerque industrial accident lawyer. Contact us today to get started.
CommonQuestions
What Should I Do After a Work Accident?
There are three steps you should take as soon as possible after any work accident or on-the-job injury. When you take these steps, you’ll be protecting your health and your legal right to compensation. You should: 1) Seek medical attention; 2) Inform your employer; and 3) Talk to a New Mexico work accident lawyer.
Particularly after a serious work injury, talking to a lawyer may make all the difference in your ability to get the treatment you need and the fair compensation it will take to get you back on your feet. You can even pursue the possibility of a third-party lawsuit against someone other than your employer or a co-worker who was responsible for your injuries, which can open the door to higher compensation.
Do I Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim, Even If I Wasn’t Seriously Injured?
Even if you suffered minor injuries in an industrial accident or any workplace accident, it’s a good idea to seek medical care and file a workers’ compensation claim. You may even benefit from talking to an attorney to make sure you have a complete understanding of your options and rights. Some work injuries seem minor but end up impacting a workers’ life in many ways. In other scenarios, workers may spend hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket because they choose not to file a workers’ comp claim. Keep everything above the board and you will protect your right to the full compensation you need—and rightfully deserve.
In What Ways Can an Attorney Help After a Work-Related Injury or Accident?
An attorney can help after a work accident in many ways, by handling all communication with the employer and insurance provider, asserting the injured worker’s right to treatment from a doctor of his or her choosing, and filing and following up on a workers’ compensation claim Investigating the cause of the accident to determine third-party liability. An attorney can also file a personal injury lawsuit, when applicable, and fight for the full and complete. compensation a worker needs. Instead of focusing your energy on the frustrating and seemingly impossible process of getting the right treatment and fair financial compensation after a workplace accident, put your case in competent hands. Our New Mexico work accident lawyers can handle everything.
