Working in the Houston oilfields is dangerous. However, your employer must still provide a safe work environment. If they don’t and you’re severely injured, you can recover compensation. Call us when you’re hurt from an oilfield accident and don’t know what to do.
The Houston oilfield injury lawyers at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers are ready to fight hard for your rights and the most compensation. We don’t back down. Big oil companies and their insurance attorneys don’t intimidate us.
Why Choose Our Houston Oilfield Injury Lawyers?
The Houston oilfield injury lawyers at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers have the knowledge, experience, and resources to deal with your oilfield accident case and get the results you deserve.
Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers have obtained many favorable settlements and jury awards for our injured clients.
Our past clients rank us highly for legal experience and results. We have the legal experience, financial resources, and experience to take your case as far as necessary to get maximum compensation.
Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers are passionate about their home state. Our Houston oil field injury law firm is here to help after an oilfield injury.
Compensation In Houston Oilfield Injury Claim
The compensation you might receive for an oil field accident claim in Texas depends on the specifics of your case, as every situation is unique. There’s no fixed amount because it hinges on factors like the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and other factors.
Workers’ Compensation Can Apply
In Texas, if you suffered an injury in an oil field accident, you might be covered by workers’ compensation if your employer carries it, though, unlike most states, Texas doesn’t require employers to have this insurance.
If they do, workers’ comp can cover medical expenses, a portion of your lost earnings, and sometimes vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to your old job. But it won’t cover pain and suffering or your full lost income, and there’s no payout for punitive damages.
Personal Injury Lawsuit May Be An Option
If your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp, a real possibility in Texas, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them with an attorney’s help. Or, if a third party contributed to the accident, you can pursue a claim against them, even if you also get workers’ comp.
These lawsuits open the door to broader compensation, including medical bills, lost earnings, future earning losses, and pain and suffering. In rare cases, if someone’s actions were grossly negligent or intentional, you might also get punitive damages to punish them and deter future recklessness.
Compensation Hinges On Severity Of Injuries
How much you end up with varies wildly. Minor injuries with quick recovery might settle for tens of thousands, covering medical costs and some lost pay. Severe injuries, like burns, fractures, or permanent disability, can climb into the hundreds of thousands or even millions.
Several companies and insurance companies can be responsible for your oil field injuries. In that case, you need a skilled Houston oilfield accident lawyer to understand who can be accountable and which insurance policy applies. Finding every company and insurance policy that can pay for your damages is critical.
Where Do Houston Oilfield Accidents Happen?
Houston is a massive hub for the oil and gas industries, and serious accidents involving oil platforms, rigs, and refineries can happen across the state. These incidents often include companies in the energy sector, particularly those engaged in exploration, drilling, refining, and transportation.
Accidents tied to Houston often occur in nearby oil-producing areas like the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, or offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, where Houston-based companies manage operations.
Refinery incidents, on the other hand, tend to happen closer to the city, in industrial zones like Pasadena, Deer Park, or along the Houston Ship Channel.
Many local Houston companies, such as ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, and BP, have been linked to oilfield accidents in recent years. Smaller operators, contractors, and service companies, like those drilling wells or maintaining equipment, also get involved.
Some local Houston oil and gas companies that can involved in oilfield injury claims include:
- Yellowjacket Oilfield Services
- Texas Petroleum Products
- Texas International Oilfield Tools
- Superior Energy Services
- Block 4 Oilfield
- Nabors Industries
Always retain a Houston oilfield accident attorney to fight for your rights if you’re hurt in an oilfield.
What Causes Oilfield Accidents In Houston?
Oilfield accidents can be severe and fatal. It is a dangerous industry, but an employer or third party can be responsible for your injuries in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Common reasons for Houston oilfield accidents include:
- Equipment failure: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained machinery, such as pumps, valves, or drilling rigs, can lead to catastrophic incidents like blowouts or explosions.
- Human error: Mistakes due to fatigue, inadequate training, or miscommunication among workers often contribute to accidents.
- High-pressure environments: Oilfields deal with extreme pressures in wells, which, if not properly managed, can cause uncontrolled releases of oil or gas.
- Flammable substances: The presence of oil, gas, and chemicals creates a high risk of fires or explosions, mainly if ignition sources aren’t controlled.
- Weather conditions: Harsh weather, like storms or extreme heat, can destabilize operations or equipment, increasing accident likelihood.
- Lack of safety protocols: Insufficient adherence to safety regulations or failure to use protective gear can leave workers vulnerable.
- Transportation risks: Accidents during the transport of oil, equipment, or personnel—via trucks, helicopters, or boats—can occur due to collisions, mechanical issues, or rough terrain.
- Confined spaces: Working in tight areas like tanks or pipelines can lead to asphyxiation, entrapment, or exposure to toxic gases.
Common Oilfield Accident Injuries In Houston
Oil platforms, whether offshore in the Gulf of Mexico or onshore in Texas oilfields, are high-risk environments, and injuries tend to follow patterns based on the nature of the work.
Some of the common injuries you may suffer in an oil platform accident are:
- Burns: Resulting from explosions, fires, or contact with hot equipment and chemicals.
- Fractures: Caused by falls, being struck by heavy machinery, or equipment malfunctions.
- Head injuries: Including concussions or traumatic brain injuries from falling objects or collisions.
- Cuts and lacerations: Due to sharp tools, machinery, or metal edges.
- Crush injuries: Occur when workers are caught between or under heavy equipment or collapsing structures.
- Chemical exposure: This leads to respiratory issues, skin irritation, or poisoning from hazardous substances.
- Back and spinal injuries: Often from lifting heavy loads, slips, or falls.
- Amputations: Resulting from entanglement in machinery or severe trauma.
- Hearing loss: Due to prolonged exposure to loud equipment without proper protection.
- Electrocution: From contact with live wires or faulty electrical systems.
Oilfield work always has risks, but you should receive ample compensation if injured in an oilfield accident. You need a seasoned Houston oilfield attorney to obtain the most compensation.
Fighting The Insurance Company After An Oilfield Accident
Being injured in an oilfield accident usually means dealing with an insurance company. Insurance disputes after an oilfield accident are common and complex, so you should have an oilfield accident attorney handle the matter.
Delayed Or Denied Claims
One frequent issue is the denial or delay of claims. Insurance companies might argue that your injury isn’t covered under the policy, perhaps claiming it was due to your own negligence or a pre-existing condition.
In Texas, for example, where many oil field accidents occur, employers aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
If your employer doesn’t have it, you might need to file a personal injury claim instead, which insurers can fight by questioning fault or downplaying the severity of your injuries. Even with workers’ comp, benefits might not fully cover medical bills or lost earnings, leaving you short.
Small Settlement Offers
Another problem is lowball settlement offers. Insurers often aim to minimize payouts, offering less than what your injuries, say, burns from an explosion or a back injury from a fall, truly cost in terms of treatment, recovery time, or long-term impact on your ability to work. They might also drag their feet, hoping you’ll accept less out of desperation.
Then, there are third-party complications. If a contractor’s negligence or faulty equipment caused the accident, you might need to file a claim against their insurance, not just your employer’s. This can turn into a blame game, with each side pointing fingers, delaying resolution.
For instance, if a rig collapsed due to a defective part, the manufacturer’s insurer might argue improper maintenance by the oil company was the real issue.
Document Your Claim Carefully
Always document your claim fully for the best insurance settlement, such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, photos of the scene, etc. This builds a solid case, whether it’s for workers’ comp or a personal injury claim. If your employer has workers’ comp, report the injury within 30 days in Texas to protect your rights.
Don’t Talk to an Insurance Adjuster Alone
Don’t talk to the insurance adjuster without an injury attorney. You should only deal with the insurance adjuster when you have a Houston oilfield accident attorney with you.
If the insurer still won’t budge, you might need to escalate, such as file a formal complaint with the insurance company or, in Texas, the Department of Insurance. Worst case, a personal injury lawsuit can be the next step, which your injury attorney will handle.
What to Do After a Houston Oilfield Accident
A severe oilfield accident, such as a fall or explosion, can leave you with devastating injuries.
Ensuring your health and the best-case result involves these steps:
- Follow medical advice: Obviously, you’ll receive immediate medical attention. But ensure you listen to your doctor’s orders and attend every appointment. If you don’t, the insurance company will question your claim.
- Report the accident to your employer: Notify your supervisor or the designated safety officer immediately. Most companies have policies requiring immediate reporting, often within 24 hours. Be clear and factual about what happened—stick to what you know without speculating.
- Document everything: Write down your account of the accident while it’s fresh: what happened, where, when, and who was involved. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, or the equipment involved. Collect the names and contact info of witnesses, as they might back up your story later.
- Follow company procedures: Your employer will likely have a process for incident reporting, investigations, or worker’s compensation claims. Cooperate fully, but don’t sign anything you don’t understand without advice. If they ask for a recorded statement, be cautious and stick to the facts.
- File a worker’s compensation claim: If you suffered an injury, you’re likely entitled to worker’s comp benefits for medical expenses and partial earnings. Ask your employer for the necessary forms or contact your state’s worker’s comp board if they’re dragging their feet. Deadlines matter—don’t wait too long.
- Hire a Houston oilfield accident lawyer: If the accident was due to negligence, you might have a case beyond worker’s comp, like a personal injury claim. Consult a lawyer who is skilled in oilfield or workplace accidents. Many offer free initial consultations.
Contact Our Houston Oil Field Injury Lawyers Today
Working in the Houston oilfields is lucrative but hazardous work. An explosion, blowout, or machinery accident can happen at any time and leave you with horrifying injuries. You can lose a hand, sustain severe burns, or suffer crush injuries in a caught-between accident.
With our help, you can receive compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more. But the liable insurance company isn’t your friend. It may lowball you, so always call an experienced Houston oilfield accident attorney to represent you.
Our Houston oilfield injury lawyer at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers will fight for your rights and ensure you are fairly compensated.
Contact us to schedule an initial meeting. The legal consultation is free, and you do not pay out-of-pocket legal expenses. You don’t pay anything unless Suits & Boots obtain compensation for you. And, by consulting an attorney as soon as possible, you can file your case within the required timeframe and increase your chances of a successful outcome.