Permian Basin Oil Rig Injury Lawyers
Relentlessly Seeking Justice for Injured Oil Field Workers
Working in the oil fields is demanding and dangerous work. An injury during drilling, well servicing, hydraulic fracturing, or transportation can create immediate medical needs, lost income, and uncertainty about returning to work. At KRW Lawyers, we represent workers facing the legal and financial consequences of serious oil rig injuries.
Determining the right legal path requires more than identifying where the accident occurred. A claim may involve an employer, drilling contractor, well-servicing company, transportation provider, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or several of these parties. Our oil rig injury lawyers examine the employment relationships, insurance arrangements, worksite control, and available evidence before determining which claims may apply.
Trial-Tested Representation for Serious Oilfield Injuries
Founded in San Antonio in 2006, we represent injured oil workers in serious workplace cases. Our recognition from Super Lawyers and AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell reflect our record of professional achievement. We’ve recovered more than $1 billion for over 40,000 clients across Texas, Louisiana, and beyond, and Firm President Douglas Ketterman is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Furthermore, clients work directly with our Permian Basin oil rig injury attorney who prepares serious workplace injury cases for trial from day one. We’re available 24/7.
If you were injured on an oil rig in the Permian Basin, call (855) 770-4045 to discuss the companies, insurance systems, and legal claims involved. Contact us online if you prefer to write to us.
Oilfield Hazards in the Permian Basin
Oil and gas extraction exposes workers to hazards during drilling, well servicing, workover operations, hydraulic fracturing, production, and transportation.
OSHA identifies the following as significant risks across oilfield operations:
- Falls. Oil rig workers may fall from elevated platforms, ladders, or rigs because of slippery surfaces, inadequate fall protection, or changing weather conditions.
- Fires and explosions. Oil, gas, chemicals, ignition sources, and uncontrolled pressure can contribute to fires or explosions during drilling and completion work.
- Equipment malfunction. Drilling machinery, rotating equipment, high-pressure lines, electrical systems, and safety devices may fail because of inadequate maintenance, wear, or defective design.
- Transportation accidents. Collisions can occur on public roads, lease roads, and worksites as crews, trucks, and heavy equipment travel to and from well locations.
- Toxic exposure. Contact with hazardous chemicals, vapors, or other substances can cause immediate injuries or an occupational disease that develops over time.
- Struck-by and caught-between incidents. Pipes, suspended loads, moving vehicles, rotating machinery, and falling objects can cause crushing injuries, brain injuries, or fatalities.
Workers’ Compensation, Non-Subscriber & Third-Party Claims
Not every Texas oilfield injury follows the same claim process. Private employers may choose whether to carry workers’ compensation insurance. An employer that doesn’t provide this coverage is called a non-subscriber employer, and an injured worker may have a different legal claim against that employer.
Workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages are separate legal systems. Coverage status, the employer’s conduct, and the involvement of another company can determine whether the worker may pursue workers’ compensation, a non-subscriber claim, a third-party negligence claim, or more than one available path.
A third-party claim may arise when a drilling contractor, equipment manufacturer, transportation company, property owner, or another business contributes to the injury. The applicable theory may involve unsafe transportation, defective equipment, inadequate maintenance, premises liability, or negligent hiring or training, depending on the evidence.
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Who Is Liable for an Oil Rig Injury?
Liability depends on the claim system and the legal duties of the parties involved. In a negligence case, the injured worker generally carries the burden of proof, meaning the responsibility to establish that the defendant’s conduct caused the injuries.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Oil rig companies. Oil companies and employers may be liable if they contribute to an accident by failing to provide proper training, disregarding safety protocols, or neglecting rig or vehicle maintenance.
- Contractors. Contractors are responsible for maintenance, drilling, transportation, or other tasks. If their carelessness results in harm to oil field workers, they may be liable for damages in an oil rig injury claim.
- Equipment manufacturers. If the oil rig accident was caused by a faulty part or equipment, such as a defective drilling rig or safety device, the equipment manufacturer may be held responsible for resulting injuries.
The evidence must connect each party’s conduct, product, premises, or control of the work to the accident under the legal theory that applies.
What Damages Are Recoverable in an Oil Rig Injury Claim?
Depending on the specific case, potential damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death claims may address the financial and personal losses suffered by eligible family members after a fatal oilfield accident. Punitive damages aren’t available in every case and depend on the governing law, available proof, and required level of misconduct.
Our oil rig accident lawyers can assess available sources of compensation and document how the injury has affected a client’s health, employment, and future needs. The damages that may be pursued depend on whether the case involves workers’ compensation, a non-subscriber employer, third-party liability, product liability, or another applicable claim.
How Long Do I Have to File an Oil Rig Injury Claim in Texas?
Texas generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the claim accrues. That general deadline doesn’t resolve every oilfield case. Different rules or facts may apply to wrongful death, occupational disease, products liability, maritime claims, minors, government entities, and injuries that aren’t discovered immediately.
Workers’ compensation claims also have separate reporting requirements. Texas generally requires an employee to notify the employer of a work-related injury within 30 days, subject to applicable exceptions. Since the correct deadline depends on the employment relationship and claim type, waiting can create avoidable filing and evidence problems.
Do I Need an Oil Rig Injury Lawyer?
Seeking compensation after an oil rig accident is rarely straightforward, especially while recovering from a serious injury. Legal representation can be valuable when the case involves multiple claim systems, companies, and insurers.
Our attorneys can:
- Investigate the accident. We examine the circumstances, preserve evidence, identify the companies involved, and determine who controlled the work.
- Analyze the available claims. We evaluate workers’ compensation coverage, a non-subscriber employer, third-party liability, defective equipment, and any conditional maritime issues.
- Document losses. We use medical records, employment information, and other evidence to show how the injury affected current income, future earning capacity, and care needs.
- Negotiate a settlement. We communicate with employers, insurers, and corporate defendants while pursuing compensation supported by the evidence.
- Prepare for litigation. We prepare cases for trial from day one rather than assuming an insurer or corporation will make a fair offer.
Discuss Your Permian Basin Oil Rig Injury
A prompt consultation can help identify the applicable claim system and evidence that should be preserved. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no attorney fee unless we recover compensation.
If you were injured on an oil rig or lost a family member in a fatal oilfield accident, don’t wait to understand your options. Call (855) 770-4045 to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys.
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Honesty & IntegrityWe believe in transparent communication, offering candid advice, and always putting your best interests at the forefront.
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Teamwork & CollaborationEvery case is a collective effort. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to ensure the best strategy and outcome for you.
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