Oilfield Accidents in West Texas: What Injured Workers Need to Know

The West Texas economy is driven by the oil and gas industry, particularly in the oil-rich Permian Basin. The work is profitable but risky, with an alarming rate of severe injuries. Victims of these accidents are often left without the ability to care for their families or even care for themselves.

Oilfield injuries are often severe, requiring substantial medical treatment and time off work. The oilfield accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw help victims in El Paso, Midland, and Odessa pursue all the compensation they deserve. We provide free consultations in English or Spanish, and offer our services on a contingency-fee basis to ensure accident victims can afford the expert legal help they need. Call us 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260.

Oilfield work is fast-paced and dangerous. Multiple hazards can lead to devastating consequences for workers, such as:

• Falls from elevated rigs
• Falling objects like loose tools
• Equipment malfunctions and failures
• Fires and explosions
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Vehicle accidents to and from the worksite

When an accident occurs, the remote location of many oilfields means medical help isn’t immediately available. Longer response times can delay critical care, compounding injury severity.

If you suffer an injury in a Texas oilfield, these steps can help you protect your right to compensation:

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Report your injury to your supervisor
• Document the accident with photos, videos, or notes
• Gather eyewitness contact information
• Contact a West Texas oilfield injury lawyer

Our experts at Carabin Shaw have extensive experience investigating oilfield accidents and ensuring victims receive all the damages they are entitled to. Our law firm’s client reviews attest to our ability to maximize compensation for accident victims.

Employers are often the first source of compensation for injured employees. If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you can start by filing a claim for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. A personal injury attorney can help you with your claim to ensure you receive all your benefits.

Texas is the only state that does not require companies to carry workers’ comp. If your employer does, you can seek these benefits, but you can’t file a lawsuit against your employer for additional compensation. If your employer does not carry workers’ compensation, known as a non-subscriber, you can file a personal injury lawsuit if you can prove that your employer’s negligence led to the accident and your injuries.

Oilfield accidents often involve multiple parties beyond your immediate employer. These third parties may include:

• Equipment manufacturers
• Trucking companies
• Subcontractors working on the site
• Oil rig construction or maintenance companies

If your attorney identifies additional parties that are liable for your injuries, you can file a third-party lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim to increase your compensation. A third-party lawsuit allows you to seek damages beyond what’s covered through workers’ comp, including:

• Additional lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability and disfigurement
• Mental and emotional anguish

Any lawsuit requires your Texas lawyer to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence led directly to your injuries. Negligence is a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation. To demonstrate negligence, you must show the responsible party owed you a duty of care and breached that duty. You must also show causation, that the breach directly caused your accident and injuries.

Your legal team will investigate your accident to identify the at-fault parties and prove negligence. Critical evidence includes the accident report, photos of the scene, eyewitness statements, and other documentation related to the accident. They will also use your medical records to document your injuries and show the direct link between the at-fault party’s actions and your injuries.

An oilfield accident often leads to catastrophic injuries, such as severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations. Injuries like these have lifelong consequences and require ample compensation to prevent financial strain on the victim. Our lawyers have over two decades of experience representing the victims of oilfield accidents. Call us toll-free now at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online.

For more information:

• Texas Department of Insurance
• Texas Statutes Code 417
• Cornell Law School