Houston Oil Rig Explosion Lawyer

The oil industry is one of the biggest employers in Texas, particularly here in Houston. Oil rig workers risk their lives every day to help power our world, and they deserve to work in safe conditions. Unfortunately, oil rig explosions can cause life-altering injuries while subjecting hurt workers to severe financial stress.

Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has guarded the rights of Houston’s injured workers for decades, and we can help you seek fair compensation after an oil rig explosion. Our team includes two board-certified personal injury specialists who can investigate the incident, explain your rights and options, and handle all the legal work for you. Additionally, our experience with workers’ comp and personal injury cases gives us a well-rounded background to identify all sources of compensation that may apply to your situation. You don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review with a Houston oil rig explosion lawyer.

What Causes Oil Rig and Refinery Accidents in Houston?

Oil rig and refinery explosions often happen because workers, contractors, employers, or equipment manufacturers are careless or encourage dangerous behaviors. Some common causes of these explosions include:

• Improper Maintenance – The risk of fires or explosions increases when workers don’t properly inspect or maintain machinery and safety systems.
• Gas Leaks – Escaping natural gas or other flammable vapors can ignite when exposed to sparks, heat, or open flames.
• Poor Safety Protocols – Lack of proper training, protective gear, or emergency procedures can leave workers vulnerable during high-risk situations.
• Electrical Hazards – Faulty wiring or exposed electrical systems near flammable materials can spark devastating explosions.
• Overpressurization – Excess pressure in pipelines or tanks can lead to powerful ruptures and blasts, particularly if this equipment doesn’t have proper release valves.
• Chemical Reactions – Improper mixing or storage of volatile chemicals can cause fires, toxic releases, or explosions.
• Equipment Failure – Malfunctioning valves, pumps, or drilling equipment can lead to pressure buildup or leaks that trigger explosions.

Serious Injuries from Oilfield and Plant Accidents

The intense heat and blast force of oil rig explosions mean workers caught in these incidents often suffer catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Severe burns
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Respiratory injuries from smoke or toxic fumes

Who Is Liable After a Houston Oil Rig Explosion or Chemical Plant Accident?

Our Houston oil rig explosion attorneys can investigate the incident to identify who’s liable for your injuries. The potentially responsible parties include:

• The Employer – If an employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation coverage and fails to follow safety regulations, they may be held directly responsible for the accident and resulting oil rig explosion injuries. However, injured workers must prove how their employer caused the explosion to win a personal injury claim.
• Third-Party Contractors – Contractors involved in drilling, maintenance, or transport operations may be liable if their negligence or unsafe practices caused or contributed to the explosion.
• Equipment Manufacturers – If a defective tool, valve, or safety system failed and triggered the explosion, the company that designed or produced the equipment could be held accountable.
• Site Operators – Companies responsible for operating or overseeing oilfields and refineries may be liable if they ignore known hazards or fail to enforce safety protocols.
• Maintenance Providers – Third-party companies responsible for inspecting or repairing equipment may be liable if they fail to detect or correct dangerous issues at an oil rig.
• Chemical Suppliers – A supplier might share liability for any oil rig accidents resulting from hazardous materials that were mislabeled, mishandled, or improperly delivered.

Steps to Take After an Oilfield or Chemical Plant Injury

Follow these steps to protect your health and legal rights after an explosion at an oilfield or chemical plant:

• Follow all medical advice and attend follow-up appointments
• Keep copies of your medical records and treatment bills
• Write down everything you remember about the explosion
• Save any photos, witness names, or other evidence
• Report the incident to your employer as soon as possible
• Avoid discussing the accident on social media
• Contact an experienced oilfield injury attorney right away

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Houston Oil Rig Explosion?

The critical factors determining your compensation after an oil rig explosion are whether your employer provides workers’ comp benefits and whether you’re classified as an employee or an independent contractor. If they do, and if you’re an employee, your benefits could include full coverage of your medical expenses, partial wage-replacement benefits, long-term disability benefits, and more. You don’t need to prove fault to claim workers’ comp benefits, but the state limits their amount, so you might not recover all you need when you file a claim. Unfortunately, independent contractors are not covered by workers’ comp in Texas.

You could recover additional compensation through a personal injury claim. For example, you might have a claim against a careless third-party contractor or the manufacturer of defective equipment. You might also have a claim against your employer if they don’t offer workers’ comp benefits. Should you qualify for a personal injury claim, you can demand compensation for:

• The full amount of your lost wages
• Current and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced future earnings
• Diminished quality of life
• Damaged personal property (if applicable)

Why You Need an Experienced Oil Rig Injury Attorney

Whether it occurred onshore or on an offshore oil rig, recovering compensation after an oil rig explosion is often challenging. You must identify who’s responsible, gather strong evidence, and deal with complex state and federal laws. If your employer doesn’t offer workers’ comp, you must prove their negligence to recover compensation. Similarly, liable parties and their insurance companies will fight aggressively to avoid compensating you. An experienced attorney can handle the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for full compensation.

High-Risk Sites for Oilfield Explosions and Chemical Accidents in Houston

Some hazardous sites for explosions and chemical accidents at oil rigs and refineries include:

• Drilling platforms
• Storage tanks
• Pipelines
• Refining units
• Compressor stations
• Mud pits and shale shakers
• Gas processing areas
• Valve and pump stations
• Chemical mixing sites
• Flare stacks

Frequently Asked Questions

Oil rig explosion cases in Texas involve complex rules and procedures, making them difficult to understand. Many clients come to us with questions about their rights or other issues related to their cases. Here are some of the most common questions we receive and their answers:

Can I sue my employer after a Houston oilfield accident?

It depends on whether your employer provides workers’ compensation. Texas is the only state that does not require most private employers to have workers’ compensation coverage, so some Texas oil companies may choose not to provide workers’ comp. If your employer does offer workers’ comp, you usually can’t sue them directly, even if they were at fault. Instead, you may qualify for medical and wage benefits through a workers’ compensation claim, regardless of who caused the accident.

However, if your employer doesn’t provide workers’ comp, you may have the right to sue them through a personal injury claim. You must prove your employer caused your injuries to recover compensation in these cases, but a personal injury lawsuit lets you seek compensation for more losses than what workers’ comp covers.

What is the difference between workers’ comp and a personal injury lawsuit?

Workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits enable injured workers to seek financial assistance after an accident, but there are several key differences between them. First, workers’ comp is a no-fault system. If your employer has coverage, you can get workers’ compensation benefits like medical care and partial wage-replacement checks without having to prove who caused the accident. The tradeoff is that you usually can’t sue your employer, and your workers’ comp benefits are often limited.

A personal injury lawsuit, on the other hand, lets you hold someone financially responsible if their negligence caused your injury. You must prove fault to win your case, but you might recover much more money than what workers’ comp provides. Your compensation in a personal injury lawsuit could include compensation for the full amount of your lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and damaged personal property.

What if the explosion was caused by a third-party contractor?

If a third-party contractor caused the oil rig explosion, you probably can sue them, even if your employer provides workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp typically prevents you from suing your employer, but it doesn’t protect others who may have contributed to the accident. That means you can likely file a personal injury lawsuit against a contractor, vendor, equipment provider, or another outside party who was careless and caused the explosion. A skilled attorney can investigate your case to identify all responsible parties and help you seek the compensation you deserve.

How long do I have to file a refinery explosion lawsuit in Texas?

The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is usually two years from your injury. This deadline applies to all cases against third parties (meaning people or businesses other than your employer) who cause oil rig explosions.

If your employer doesn’t provide workers’ comp benefits, the standard two-year deadline applies to lawsuits against them. However, there are different deadlines if your employer offers workers’ comp. In these cases, you must report your injury within 30 days of the explosion and submit your claim for workers’ comp benefits within one year.

Free Consultation with a Houston Oil Rig Explosion Attorney

With two board-certified specialists on our team and decades of cumulative experience, you can trust Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs to help you seek fair compensation after a Houston oil rig explosion. No matter who’s responsible or whether your employer offers workers’ comp benefits, we can fight to hold the responsible parties accountable while maximizing your financial recovery. Contact us now or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.