Oilfield Injury

By the Numbers

In 2024, the fatal injury rate in Texas oil and gas extraction was 16.8 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, more than four times the rate for all Texas workers (3.9). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Common Causes

• Blowouts, fires, and explosions

• Equipment failures and dropped objects

• Falls from rigs and derricks

• Caught-in and struck-by incidents

• Exposure to hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals

• Truck and vehicle crashes on lease roads

Protecting Your Rights

• Get medical care and tell the doctor exactly how you were hurt.

• Report the injury in writing and keep a copy.

• Write down the names of the operator, contractors, and coworkers on site.

• Do not sign a statement or release before you talk with a lawyer.

Holding Operators and Contractors Accountable

A well site often has many companies working at once: the operator, the drilling contractor, service companies, and equipment suppliers. We work to identify which companies controlled the work and the equipment, and which safety rules were broken. We preserve incident reports, job safety analyses, maintenance records, and witness accounts, and we work with experienced oilfield safety experts to show what went wrong.

Well sites, yards, trucks, and equipment often have cameras that record on a loop and overwrite footage quickly. That video can show exactly what happened, so it is important to preserve it right away. We are fully prepared to take the steps necessary to protect the evidence needed for court.

What Compensation Can Cover

Depending on the facts, a claim may include:

• Past and future medical expenses

• Lost wages and lost earning capacity

• Physical pain and mental anguish

• Physical impairment and disfigurement

• In a death case, the losses suffered by the family

Common Questions

I work for a subcontractor. Can I hold the operator or another company accountable?

Often, yes. If another company's negligence caused your injury, you may have a claim against that company even if you received benefits through your own employer.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In Texas, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury, and some claims have shorter deadlines. Talk with a lawyer as soon as you can so the evidence and your deadlines are protected.

Should I give a statement to the operator's investigator or insurance company?

Report your injury to your employer, but you do not have to give a recorded statement to another company's investigator or insurer. What you say can be used to shift blame to you. Talk with a lawyer first.

I signed a waiver. Did I give up my rights?

Usually not. Texas law voids an agreement by an employee to give up workers' compensation benefits. If your employer does not carry workers' compensation, a waiver signed before you were hurt is also void, and a waiver signed after an injury is valid only if strict requirements are met, including waiting at least 10 business days after the injury is reported and getting a medical evaluation first. Do not sign anything after an injury until you talk with a lawyer.

Will I have to repay workers' compensation out of my settlement?

Usually, yes. If workers' compensation paid your benefits, the insurance carrier has a right to be repaid from what you recover from another responsible company, and any amount left over may be treated as an advance against future benefits. We account for that repayment when we evaluate and negotiate your case so you know what you will actually receive.

Does it cost anything to talk with you?

No. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation.