Oilfield work is an important part of the West Texas economy, but it can also involve serious risks. Workers may be exposed to heavy equipment, hazardous materials, transportation hazards and dangerous working conditions that can lead to injuries.
While many oilfield employees travel throughout the Permian Basin and surrounding areas for work, Lubbock often serves as a home base for workers, contractors and service companies supporting energy operations across West Texas.
When an oilfield accident results in injuries, understanding what happened and identifying who may be responsible can be important to protect your rights. The Carlson Law Firm helps injured workers and their families evaluate their legal options after oilfield accidents and other workplace injuries.
Oilfield operations often involve physically demanding work performed in challenging environments. Workers may encounter:
Because multiple contractors and companies can work at the same site, determining responsibility after an accident could be more complicated than a typical workplace injury claim.
Oilfield accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of the most common incidents include:
Workers often travel long distances between job sites, increasing the risk of commercial vehicle accidents and other driving collisions.
Heavy machinery and specialized oilfield equipment can cause serious injuries when maintenance issues or mechanical failures occur.
Oilfield operations may involve flammable materials that create fire and explosion risks.
Workers may suffer injuries while working on drilling rigs, elevated platforms or other structures.
Moving equipment, tools and materials can create serious hazards for workers.
Liability depends on the circumstances of the accident. Parties that could be responsible may include:
Because multiple entities are often involved in oilfield operations, a thorough investigation may be necessary to identify all potentially responsible parties.
Given the heavy machinery and environment, oilfield accidents can result in severe injuries. Common injuries include:
Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and can affect a person's ability to return to work.
Whether a claim is available after an oilfield injury depends on the circumstances of the accident. In some situations, injured workers may have legal options beyond workers' compensation.
This is especially true when a third party contributed to the incident. Examples may include:
Evaluating the facts of an accident can help determine what claims may be available.
Unfortunately, some oilfield accidents result in fatalities. When a loved one dies in a workplace accident, surviving family members may want to know if a wrongful death claim could be available under Texas law.
Understanding what caused the accident and who may be responsible can help provide answers during a difficult time.
Compensation depends on the facts of the accident and the losses involved. Potential damages could include:
Every case is unique and should be evaluated based on its specific circumstances.
Knowing what to do after an oilfield accident causes injury can help with any future legal or insurance claims. Following an oilfield injury, consider:
Acting quickly after an accident may help preserve evidence and clarify what occurred.
Oilfield accidents can occur for many reasons, including equipment failures, transportation incidents, falls, fires, explosions and inadequate safety procedures. In some situations, multiple factors can contribute to an accident.
The answer depends on the circumstances of the accident. Some injured workers may have legal options beyond workers' compensation, like when a third party contributed to the incident.
Depending on the facts of the case, responsibility may rest with an employer, contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, transportation company or another party involved in the operation.
Important evidence may include incident reports, maintenance records, training documentation, witness statements, photographs and medical records. Preserving evidence early can help establish what happened and who may be responsible.
Many Texas employers do not subscribe to the state's workers' compensation system. Also, some oilfield accidents involve contractors, equipment manufacturers or other third parties who may share responsibility for an incident. Understanding who was involved and how the accident occurred can help determine what legal options may be available.
Our compassionate legal team will handle your case with sound judgment, honesty and dependability.
We have strong ties to our community, which drives us to work tirelessly to get our clients the favorable outcomes they deserve.
Our attorneys consistently achieve some of the largest verdicts and settlements in the country.
An oilfield accident can cause major physical and financial challenges for injured workers and their families. Understanding what happened and whether legal options may be available can be an important stage of the recovery process.
The Carlson Law Firm helps individuals and families throughout Lubbock and West Texas evaluate their legal options following serious oilfield accidents. If you have questions about an oilfield injury claim, contact our team to learn more about your options.
With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, there’s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, Baytown, San Angelo and Corpus Christi.
