Undefeated Texas Oilfield Injury Lawyers
In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. But that’s not the only deadline that matters — and it gets complicated fast when you’re focused on healing after a serious oilfield accident.
These legal time limits, known as statutes of limitations, can mean the difference between recovering the full compensation you deserve and losing your right to file a claim altogether. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced oilfield injury lawyer on your side as soon as possible.
At Zehl & Associates, our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers have won Billions for injured workers across Texas and the United States, including the #1 Largest Oilfield Burn Injury Settlement in U.S. History. We know how to act fast to preserve your rights, meet every deadline, and hold the companies fully accountable for putting profits over safety.
Here’s what you need to know about the key deadlines that apply to oilfield injury lawsuits—and how our team can help secure your future.
Important Deadlines for Oilfield Accident and Injury Lawsuits
Your recovery should always come first—but waiting too long to take legal action can cost you everything. Under Texas law, deadlines for filing oilfield injury lawsuits are strict and unforgiving. To make matters worse, the rules often overlap depending on where the accident occurred, who was at fault, and whether your employer or a third party is involved.
Once they expire, your claim is gone forever—no matter how severe your injuries or how clearly the company was at fault.
Understanding Filing Deadlines for Oilfield Lawsuits in Texas
24 Hours — Report Your Injury: Private occupational injury plans (common in oilfield and energy jobs) often require workers to report injuries within 24 hours. Check your employment agreement or injury policy as soon as possible.
30 Days — Report to Your Employer: To qualify for Texas workers’ compensation benefits, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. (Texas Labor Code §409.001).
95 Days — Medical Billing Deadline: Healthcare providers must submit bills related to your workers’ compensation claim within 95 days of providing treatment. (Texas Labor Code §408.027).
1 Year — File Workers’ Compensation Claim: You must file DWC Form-041 with the Texas Department of Insurance within one year of the accident to protect your workers’ compensation rights. (Texas Labor Code §409.003).
1 Year — Death Benefits: For fatal oilfield accidents, surviving family members must file a death benefit with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)claim within one year from the date of death. (Texas Labor Code §409.007)
2 Years — Personal Injury or Third-Party Lawsuit: Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This applies if:
- Your employer does not carry workers’ compensation, or
- You are filing against a third party, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another company responsible for unsafe conditions.
Failing to meet this deadline almost always results in your case being dismissed outright, no matter how legitimate your claim.
What if My Oilfield Accident Didn’t Happen in Texas?
Even if your accident occurred in another state — or offshore — deadlines and legal requirements still apply, and they can differ significantly from Texas law. Each state has its own statutes of limitations, workers’ compensation rules, and procedural requirements. Offshore or maritime accidents may fall under federal maritime law instead of state law.
- New Mexico Oilfield Accidents: Personal injury claims generally must be filed within three years from the date of injury. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within three years of the victim’s death.
- Louisiana Oil Rig Accidents: Personal injury claims typically have a two-year statute of limitations, and wrongful death claims must also be filed within one year.
- Offshore Rig Explosions & Maritime Accidents: Federal maritime law may apply, with strict deadlines that differ from state rules.
Special Circumstances That May Extend Deadlines
Certain rare situations can affect how long you have to file:
- Injured Minors: The two-year deadline doesn’t begin until the child turns 18.
- Absence from Texas: If the injured worker leaves the state, the limitation period may pause until their return.
- Mental Incapacitation: Victims unable to make legal decisions may have additional time once capacity is restored.
- Wrongful Death: Some claims involving fatalities may qualify for limited deadline extensions.
- Discovery Rule: If an injury wasn’t immediately apparent—such as those caused by toxic exposure—the clock may start once the injury is discovered.
Even with these exceptions, waiting is risky. The companies you’re up against have teams of lawyers and insurers already working to limit what you can recover.
At Zehl & Associates, we act fast to investigate your case, preserve vital evidence, and file every claim within the strict time limits the law allows—because your future depends on it.
Oilfield Injury Claim Process: Why Meeting the Deadline Can Make or Break Your Case
Time is not on your side after an oilfield accident. Every day that passes makes it harder to gather the evidence, records, and testimony needed to prove what really happened — and who’s responsible. Once a deadline expires, your right to recover damages is gone forever, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the company’s negligence may be.
Oil and gas companies and their insurers know this. They move fast after an accident — sending investigators to the site, collecting records, and building their defense before you’ve even left the hospital.
At Zehl & Associates, we’ve seen too many hardworking oilfield workers lose their right to compensation because they weren’t told the clock was already ticking. Our team acts immediately to protect your rights, preserve critical evidence, and ensure every filing deadline is met — so you never lose the opportunity to hold the company fully accountable.
How Zehl & Associates Can Help File Your Lawsuit and Recover the Maximum Compensation Possible
Filing an oilfield injury lawsuit is complex and time-sensitive. Even a single missed step can jeopardize your entire claim. With Billions recovered for clients — including the #1 largest verdicts and settlements in the United States — Zehl & Associates has the experience, resources, and track record to make sure your case is filed correctly, on time, and for the maximum recovery possible.
From the moment you contact us, we take charge of the entire process:
- Investigating your accident and gathering key evidence before it disappears — we work with leading oilfield experts, engineers, and medical specialists to prove what really happened and how it should have been prevented in the first place
- Identifying all responsible parties, including employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
- Determining which deadlines apply under state, federal, and maritime law.
- Preparing every filing, motion, and notice with precision, ensuring your case moves forward without delay.
- Fighting for the maximum compensation available, whether through a record-setting settlement or at trial, where we’ve never lost a case.
But our commitment doesn’t stop there. Clients are like family to us. That’s why we go above and beyond to ensure you receive the best possible care from the nation’s top doctors and specialists, help with reasonable living expenses while your case is pending, and support around the clock.
At Zehl & Associates, our top priority is standing by you every step of the way, from the moment we first meet to long after your case is successfully resolved.
As many of our past clients have said: “We’re more than just your lawyers, we’re family.”
Don’t Limit Yourself to Workers’ Compensation
If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, the benefits will only cover a fraction of your lost wages and medical expenses — from doctors who protect the company, not you — and often end the moment the company doctor clears you to return to work, even if you’re still recovering.
Workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering, permanent impairment, future medical expenses, or full lost wages.
Even with workers’ comp, you may still have other legal options, including third-party claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, or, in some cases, your employer. But only a top oilfield injury lawyer can determine the best path forward.
Without the right legal team, you risk:
- Being stuck with limited workers’ compensation benefits
- Seeing company-appointed doctors who don’t have your best interest in mind
- Losing your job the moment your statute of limitations expires
- Giving up the chance to recover all of your damages including pain, suffering, and long-term financial losses
At Zehl & Associates, we make sure you understand your options, protect your rights, and pursue full compensation, holding every negligent party fully accountable — even when workers’ compensation benefits are available.
Undefeated Oilfield Injury Lawyers: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won and having successfully represented thousands of injured oilfield workers across Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and the United States against the largest oil and gas companies in the world, our Oilfield Accident Lawyers have repeatedly demonstrated that we don’t just win for oilfield accident victims – we set records. Our recent victories for oilfield workers include:
- $90M Settlement for a client severely burned when a Burleson County, TX oil well exploded during a workover project
- $62M Settlement for a client who suffered significant burn injuries in a blowout in West Texas
- $55M Settlement for a client who sustained second and third degree burns while working on an Odessa, TX oil rig
- $12.7M Settlement (2025) for clients seriously injured when a workover rig toppled over in Pyote, TX
If you or a loved one were injured in an oilfield explosion or accident, call 1-888-603-3636, or send us a confidential email via our Contact Us page.
All consultations are free, there’s no commitment involved, and you won’t pay us a penny unless we win your case.
FAQs
Stop working immediately. Your safety and medical care come first, but you must act quickly to protect your rights:
- If you’re physically able to report your injury, do so as soon as possible.
- Demand immediate medical treatment with a doctor of your choice. You are not required to go to a doctor selected by the company, and you should avoid doing so whenever possible.
- Do not give a formal statement, sign ANY paperwork, or accept any money from the company (besides your normal paycheck) prior to speaking with an experienced oil field injury lawyer
- Contact our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers as soon as possible, so we can discuss your options, explain your rights, and provide you with the information you need to decide the best course of action for you and your family.
Yes. Wrongful death claims in Texas generally have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death, which is separate from the personal injury statute that begins at the date of injury. Certain exceptions, like the discovery rule, may apply. An experienced oilfield injury lawyer can help ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time.
Even if your medical treatment is ongoing, the statute of limitations continues to run. Filing a lawsuit or notice before the deadline preserves your right to compensation while allowing your case to include all future medical care and damages. Zehl & Associates helps clients navigate these situations so they don’t risk losing their claims.
Texas law generally requires you to report workplace injuries within 30 days to preserve workers’ compensation benefits. Missing this deadline doesn’t always prevent recovery, but it can complicate your claim. A skilled oilfield injury lawyer can explore options for filing late notices, third-party claims, or other legal avenues to protect your rights.
Yes. Each state has its own statutes of limitations and workers’ compensation rules, and offshore accidents may fall under federal maritime law.
For example:
- New Mexico: Personal injury claims generally must be filed within three years from the date of the injury. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the victim’s death.
- Louisiana: Personal injury claims typically have a one-year statute of limitations, and wrongful death claims must also be filed within one year.
- Offshore or maritime accidents: Federal maritime law may apply, which has its own strict deadlines separate from state law.
Zehl & Associates handles multi-state and offshore cases, ensuring deadlines are met no matter where the accident occurred.
In some cases, yes. While workers’ compensation generally limits suing your employer, you may have options for third-party claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other parties responsible for your injury.
Even if liability isn’t immediately clear, filing timely claims is crucial. Zehl & Associates investigates accidents thoroughly to identify all responsible parties and preserve your ability to recover.
Yes. Special rules often extend deadlines for minors or those with mental incapacitation. A lawyer experienced in oilfield injury claims can determine how these exceptions apply to your case.
The discovery rule can extend the statute of limitations if your injury or its cause was not immediately apparent. This is especially relevant for latent injuries like chemical exposure, repetitive strain, or burns.
The sooner, the better. Early involvement allows a lawyer to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, file claims correctly, and meet all deadlines — which can make or break your case.