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Houston Oilfield Injury Attorney

oil field injuries
Tommy Fibich - attorney

Oilfield Workers Deserve Safe Conditions

Working in the oil and gas industry is physically demanding and filled with potential hazards, causing many workers to suffer on-the-job injuries. Risks oilfield workers face daily include heavy machinery incidents, hazardous fumes, fires, and explosions. While this work is essential, employers and supervisors must put their workers’ health and safety above all else.

Injured workers can better advocate for their rights and the compensation they deserve if they understand the most common types of oilfield accidents and injuries, their causes, who could be held liable, applicable laws, and the steps to take after an incident. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs for a free consultation and to learn more about how our Houston work injury lawyers can help with your oilfield accident case.

Tommy Fibich - attorney

Oilfield Workers Deserve Safe Conditions

Working in the oil and gas industry is physically demanding and filled with potential hazards, causing many workers to suffer on-the-job injuries. Risks oilfield workers face daily include heavy machinery incidents, hazardous fumes, fires, and explosions. While this work is essential, employers and supervisors must put their workers’ health and safety above all else.

Injured workers can better advocate for their rights and the compensation they deserve if they understand the most common types of oilfield accidents and injuries, their causes, who could be held liable, applicable laws, and the steps to take after an incident. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs for a free consultation and to learn more about how our Houston work injury lawyers can help with your oilfield accident case.

What Is an Oilfield Accident?

An oilfield accident is an incident that causes injury, illness, or death to workers performing various jobs in oilfields, including drilling, servicing equipment, and conducting inspections. These accidents typically involve high-pressure equipment, heavy machinery, flammable materials, and falls from heights, and are preventable in many cases with the proper training, equipment, and oversight.

Because oilfields often have multiple contractors onsite and complex operations, determining the exact cause of an accident and who is responsible requires a thorough investigation.

Most Common Oilfield Accidents & Injuries

The injuries sustained in oilfield accidents can vary greatly depending on the type of accident. Some of the most common accidents suffered by injured oilfield workers include:

  • Well Blowouts and Explosions – These incidents are caused by pressure buildup and flammable substances, leading to severe burns, blunt force trauma, and smoke inhalation, which can cause permanent injury or death.
  • Falls from Heights – According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are among the leading causes of fatalities on construction sites, including oilfields. They’re caused by inadequate fall protection systems and unstable scaffolding and can lead to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones.
  • Equipment Malfunctions – Defective machinery, poor maintenance, and operator error can cause catastrophic equipment failures resulting in crush injuries, lacerations, fractures, and permanent nerve damage.
  • Vehicle Accidents – Not all oilfield injuries are caused by the extraction process. Truck accidents are frequent and can result in whiplash, head trauma, broken bones, and internal organ damage.
  • Toxic Exposure – Gas leaks, improper storage of hazardous substances, and inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) can lead to respiratory damage, chemical burns, neurological disorders, and cancer caused by long-term exposure.
  • Falling Objects – Unsecured tools, crane loads, and rig components can fall and strike workers, causing head and neck injuries and broken bones.
Oil Field Injuries

Why Choose Our Houston Oilfield Lawyers?

Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has been serving those injured in Houston, Texas, for decades and has a long history of securing significant settlements and verdicts for clients. We’ve won several multimillion-dollar verdicts and were at the forefront in multidistrict litigation involving Fen-Phen, Vioxx, and Topamax.

Several of our Houston personal injury attorneys are board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, including Founding Partner Tommy Fibich, who is board-certified in civil trial law and has 50 years of legal experience, and Russell Briggs, who holds board certification in personal injury trial law.

When you work with our firm, you’ll receive a free consultation, clear guidance on your case, and direct communication with your legal team. Our Houston oilfield injury lawyers will fight to maximize your recovery, and you never have to pay expenses or attorney fees unless we win your case.

When Workers’ Compensation Is Not Enough

Texas does not require most private employers to carry workers’ comp insurance. However, if your employer does have it, it generally prevents you from filing an oilfield accident lawsuit against them to secure additional compensation. In these cases, if someone other than your employer caused the accident that harmed you, filing a third-party personal injury lawsuit may be an option.

Who Is Liable in an Oilfield Accident?

Identifying the liable parties after an oilfield accident is vital for seeking compensation for your injuries. Parties that may have contributed to the accident include:

  • Drilling companies, if unsafe procedures, poor supervision, or failure to properly train employees contributed to the accident
  • Equipment manufacturers, if a defective product contributed to the accident
  • Third-party contractors, if their negligence caused an unsafe work environment, such as if they don’t follow proper safety procedures
  • Supervisors, if they fail to enforce safety protocols or allow risky practices that put workers in danger

Suing Under Negligence or Product Liability Laws

Third-party lawsuits are filed against entities other than your employer. They can include lawsuits against contractors for injuries caused by their negligence or product liability lawsuits that hold manufacturers strictly liable for injuries caused by defective products.

Federal and State Laws That Protect Oilfield Workers

Federal and State Laws Protecting Oilfield Workers

Several federal and state laws protect oilfield workers injured on the job.

  • OSHA Safety Regulations: OSHA sets safety standards for oilfield operations, including requiring employers to provide proper PPE, train workers adequately, and maintain safe machinery and structures. An OSHA violation could strengthen your injury case.
  • Workers’ Compensation: If your employer has workers’ comp insurance and you are classified as an employee, you can receive medical care and wage loss benefits regardless of who was at fault for your injuries.
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits: In some cases, you can seek compensation for your injuries through personal injury lawsuits. This is possible if your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp insurance or if a third party causes your injuries.
  • Jones Act: If the accident that injured you occurred on an offshore oil rig, you may be covered by the Jones Act. This act allows oil and gas workers injured at sea to sue their employers for compensation.

What to Do After an Oilfield Accident in Houston, Texas

After an oilfield accident in Houston, Texas, you should take the following steps:

  • Follow up with medical treatment until reaching maximum medical improvement, which is the point at which further treatment is unlikely to improve your condition.
  • Document the incident by taking photographs of your injuries and writing down everything you remember.
  • Report the injury to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible.
  • Avoid providing a recorded statement to insurance company representatives who contact you.
  • Consult an experienced oilfield accident lawyer.

What Can an Oilfield Injury Lawyer Do for You?

Our Results - Fibich

An oilfield injury lawyer will handle your case from start to finish so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. They’ll investigate the accident to identify the at-fault parties and collect the evidence needed to hold them liable. They’ll calculate the value of your case and file your lawsuit. And they’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. We only get paid when we secure compensation for you.

What Compensation Can You Recover After an Oilfield Injury?

The compensation available after an oilfield injury depends on whether you have a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Through a lawsuit, you can seek compensation for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Workers’ compensation claims typically only let you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent impairment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about oilfield accidents in Texas.

  1. Can I sue if I’m hurt on an oil rig in Texas? Depending on your particular worker classification and how the accident occurred, you may be able to sue if you’re hurt on an oil rig. Under the Jones Act, seamen can sue their employers for injuries caused by negligence. If a third party caused your injuries, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
  2. What if my employer blames me for the accident? Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, injured parties must be less than 51 percent at fault for an accident to recover compensation through a lawsuit, and their compensation may be reduced by their degree of fault. Your lawyer will work to prove that you are entitled to compensation. However, if your employer has workers’ comp insurance, fault has no bearing on the benefits you receive.
  3. What’s the difference between workers’ comp and a personal injury claim? Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides injured employees with medical and wage loss benefits after a workplace injury. Personal injury lawsuits involve proving that another party is at fault for your injuries and offer a broader range of compensation. Which option is available to you depends on your situation.
  4. Do I need a lawyer if I have already received medical care? Receiving medical care is only one benefit you may be entitled to after an oilfield injury. It’s still important to consult a lawyer to determine what other compensation you could receive.
  5. How long do I have to file an oilfield injury lawsuit in Texas? Under Texas law, you have two years to file an oilfield injury lawsuit. You must file your lawsuit within this period or risk the courts barring you from recovering compensation for your injuries.

Get a Free Consultation with an Oilfield Accident Lawyer in Texas

If you were injured in a Houston oilfield accident, contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs for a free consultation about your case. We’ll review the details of the incident that harmed you, explain your options for seeking financial recovery, and answer your questions about the legal process so you know what to expect.