Midland–Odessa oil fields are among the most dangerous job sites in the country, with dozens of fatal accidents and thousands of serious injuries reported each year. Over the last decade, more than 500 oilfield workers have lost their lives and at least 1,850 more were severely injured—nearly 40 percent of those deaths and 56 percent of those injuries occurred right here in the Permian Basin.
Oil and gas companies employ hundreds of thousands of Texans, including many hardworking men and women in Midland who risk their lives every day just to earn an honest living. And while strict safety regulations exist to protect them, the reality is that most oilfield accidents are entirely preventable—caused by companies that choose profits over people.
In an industry driven by speed and revenue, you can’t count on the company to “do the right thing” after a catastrophic injury. No matter what they promise, they won’t come close to covering the true cost of your losses.
That’s why you need an undefeated Midland oilfield injury attorney with a proven record of holding these companies accountable and winning the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Oilfield Accidents in Midland-Odessa
Oil rigs and drilling sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces in the country, and West Texas is no exception. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) severe injury reports, at least 67 oilfield workers in Texas suffered severe work-related injuries in 2024 alone, including 56 hospitalizations and 20 amputations. Nearly 30% of these incidents occurred in the Midland-Odessa region, not including nearby hubs like Midkiff or Big Spring.
These numbers reflect injuries sustained by floorhands, drillers, roustabouts, and other oilfield workers involved in drilling and support operations. While these workers understand the risks of the job, serious injuries should never be accepted as just “part of the job.”
Common types of oilfield accidents include:
- Oilfield truck accidents
- Equipment failure and malfunction
- Fires and explosions
- Falls
- Caught-betweens and Struck-bys
- Blowouts and fracking accidents
- Trapped or confinement accidents
- H2S gas exposure and other hazardous chemicals
While these accidents are common, what’s even more consistent is the cause behind them: preventable safety failures. In our experience, it’s often the reckless decisions of companies — cutting corners to save time and money, ignoring federal safety standards, or putting inexperienced contractors in charge — that lead directly to these devastating incidents.
In one recent case, our firm recovered the #1 Largest Oilfield Accident Settlement in U.S. History for an oilfield worker who suffered severe burn injuries in a blowout caused by failed safety valves and pressure mismanagement. The company knew the equipment was faulty — and failed to act. That kind of negligence is far too common in the Permian Basin.
Common Causes of Midland-Odessa Oilfield Accidents
The oil and gas industry’s rapid pace and high-risk environment create ample opportunities for accidents. However, most oilfield accidents could be prevented with proper safety measures, training, and equipment maintenance. When oilfield companies cut corners, ignore safety protocols, or fail to hold negligent third parties accountable for defective equipment or malfunctioning machinery, its workers who all too often pay the price.
Here are some of the most common causes of oilfield accidents in the Midland-Odessa region:
Safety failures
One of the biggest contributors to oilfield accidents is the failure to prioritize safety. When companies cut corners by ignoring industry standards and federal or state regulations—such as those set by the American Petroleum Institute—they put workers at serious risk. From catastrophic blowouts to heat stress and overexertion in the harsh West Texas climate, safety lapses are often to blame.
Inadequate Training or Supervision
New workers, especially those hired during periods of high turnover, often don’t receive the training they need to perform safely. In an industry where every mistake can have devastating consequences, the failure to properly train workers or supervise their actions leads to preventable accidents. Neglecting to provide essential education about equipment usage, safety procedures, and emergency protocols increases the likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities.
Equipment Failure or Lack of Maintenance
Oilfield machinery and equipment, like drilling rigs, blowout preventers, and high-pressure systems, are some of the most dangerous tools used in any work environment. When oilfield companies neglect regular maintenance or fail to replace outdated equipment, the risk of catastrophic failures — and potential for deadly explosion — increases. However, third-party manufacturers or contractors involved in the design, maintenance, or inspection of this equipment are often responsible.
Worker fatigue
The demanding nature of oilfield work, coupled with long hours and high production expectations, can lead to severe worker fatigue. When employees are pushed to the brink of exhaustion — often working beyond reasonable hours — their ability to perform safely is significantly compromised. Fatigue has been linked to slower reaction times, poor decision-making, and an increased likelihood of accidents. Despite knowing the dangers of fatigue, many oilfield companies continue to push workers too hard, focusing on production and profits at the expense of employee well-being.
Pressure to Cut Corners
In the oil and gas industry, speed often equals profits. As companies rush to maximize production, they frequently overlook safety protocols to meet deadlines or reduce operational costs. The “rush” mentality results in workers being pressured to ignore safety standards, take dangerous shortcuts, and put their health and safety at risk. This culture of cutting corners — especially during peak production periods — leads to some of the most devastating accidents in the oilfield, as safety becomes an afterthought.
High Turnover
The oilfield industry in Midland and Odessa is notorious for high employee turnover, often due to the grueling work conditions and intense pressure placed on workers. This creates a revolving door of new employees who are unfamiliar with the potential dangers they may face. When employees are constantly coming and going, safety protocols often get lost in the shuffle, and the focus shifts from long-term worker health to short-term production goals.
Our Proven Results for Injured Midland-Odessa Oilfield Workers
At Zehl & Associates, our undefeated oilfield accident attorneys have won record-breaking verdicts and settlements for workers injured in some of the most devastating incidents in the Midland-Odessa region and beyond, including:
- $90 million settlement for an oilfield worker who was burned over 60 percent of his body during a well blowout caused by faulty equipment and a company’s failure to act on known hazards.
- $55 million settlement for a worker who suffered second- and third-degree burns while working on a rig in Odessa, Texas—a direct result of poorly maintained machinery and a lack of proper safety protocols.
- $15.2 million recovery for a client who suffered serious neck and back injuries after falling through an unbarricaded hole at a rig site in West Texas. His employer’s hand-picked Workers’ comp doctors minimized his injuries and claimed he could return to work—we proved otherwise.
- Record-setting confidential settlement—the largest in a major oil and gas company’s history—for an offshore worker who lost his leg when an over-pressurized gas line exploded due to improper oversight and system mismanagement.
We’ve also represented oilfield workers whose injuries were directly tied to extreme fatigue, production pressure, and safety failures, consistently holding companies accountable for putting profits ahead of people. Our unmatched track record sends a clear message to oil and gas companies across Texas and the U.S.: when you endanger workers, we will make you pay.
Common Oilfield Accident Injuries
Oilfield accidents often leave workers with severe, lasting, or even permanent injuries.These aren’t minor setbacks—they can change every aspect of your life, from your ability to work to how you care for your family and yourself. Some of the most common injuries our clients suffer in West Texas oilfields include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Spine, neck, and back injury
- Amputation
- Electrocution
- Eye injuries
- Respiratory injuries
- Chemical exposure
- Crush injuries
Whether your injury was caused by faulty equipment, unsafe conditions, or another worker’s carelessness, you deserve medical care, support, and full compensation for everything you’ve lost. Our Midland oilfield injury lawyers can help you get it. From day one, we ensure you’re able to access the best doctors and medical treatments available.
Who Is Responsible for Preventing a Midland-Odessa Oilfield Accident?
By law, oilfield workers have the right to a safe workplace—and the right to stop work anytime conditions become unsafe. When companies ignore OSHA standards and federal and state safety regulations, they can and should be held fully accountable for the harm they cause.
Unfortunately, the same companies that are supposed to protect workers often pressure them to keep going, even in clearly dangerous situations. Some even retaliate against those who report unsafe practices or try to silence injured workers to avoid public scrutiny.
Employers are responsible for identifying hazards through job hazard analyses, eliminating or controlling those risks before anyone is hurt, and regularly inspecting rigs and worksites to ensure safety protocols are followed. They must also ensure that workers are trained to recognize dangers on the job and are informed of safety procedures before work begins.
In many cases, it’s not just the employer who may be at fault. Third parties like contractors or equipment manufacturers may also be responsible if their actions — or defective equipment — contributed to the accident.
Do I Need a Midland Oilfield Injury Lawyer After an Accident?
Yes. Relying on Workers’ Comp benefits or trusting your employer to “make things right” is not in your best interest.
Most injured workers wait too long to reach out — and that delay can cost them everything.
Workers’ Comp will never fully cover the long-term impact of a serious injury. And from the moment the accident happens, the company — along with its lawyers and insurance providers — will be working toward one goal: protecting their bottom line by paying you as little as possible for all of your injuries and losses.
If you’re unsure about hiring a lawyer, ask yourself:
- Are you unable to work because of your injuries?
- Are you worried that Workers’ Comp won’t cover your medical bills or lost income?
- Are you afraid of losing your job after the accident?
- Are your injuries affecting your family, your independence, or your future plans?
- Are you no longer able to do the things you once enjoyed?
- Did malfunctioning equipment, a mechanical failure, or a dangerous product contribute to the accident?
- Was a careless or distracted worker involved?
- Was your company cutting corners, ignoring safety protocols, or rushing to meet deadlines?
- Is your employer trying to shift the blame onto you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to talk to an experienced oilfield injury lawyer — and not just any lawyer, but one with a proven record of going up against the largest oil and gas companies in the country and winning the largest verdicts and settlements in history.
How an Experienced Permian Basin Oil Rig Accident Law Firm Can Help
Our undefeated Midland oilfield injury lawyers are here to help you hold every responsible party fully accountable—whether it’s a negligent employer, a reckless site supervisor, a careless subcontractor, or a third party like a rig operator, property owner, or the manufacturer of defective equipment.
We also secure your future by working with top medical experts, accident investigators, and financial professionals to assess the full extent of your damages—far beyond your medical expenses and lost income. We take the time to understand you, your family, and what you’ve truly lost, so we can accurately determine your future care needs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. At the same time, we uncover critical evidence, establish exactly what happened, and fight to recover the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
The truth is, no matter what they promise, the oil company and its insurers are never on your side—and Workers’ Comp alone won’t come close to covering what you’ve lost. The only way to protect your rights and secure the recovery you deserve is by hiring the best.
Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation at 1-888-603-3636.
Our Undefeated Oilfield Attorneys Are Here to Fight for You
At Zehl & Associates, we have the resources, experience, and proven track record to take on oil and gas companies and win record-setting recoveries. We understand the uncertainty, pain, and fear that come with a serious oilfield accident, which is why we treat every case with the urgency, care, and dedication it deserves.
From the moment you contact us, we offer our unwavering commitment to you and your family:
We stand up to these corporate giants and their legal teams: With the largest oilfield accident recoveries in history and a 100% past success rate, our experience and success in the courtroom allows us to maximize our client’s recovery in each and every case we’re involved with. That’s why we continue to recover the largest oilfield recoveries in Texas and U.S. history.
We make sure that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve: We prepare every case for trial, so that if the company refuses to offer the full compensation you deserve for all of your injuries and losses, they will face us in the courtroom, where we remain undefeated.
We force the companies to be safer so that accidents like this don’t happen again: We understand the oil and gas industry and anticipate the common tactics used by the companies to try to avoid responsibility. As a result, our historic victories don’t ust change lives, they send a clear message — you will not put profits over human life and safety.
We stand by you every step of the way: Our clients are more than cases — they’re like family to us. That’s why we go above and beyond from day one, making sure you have access to the best medical specialists for your injuries, covering reasonable living expenses while your case is pending, assisting with financial planning, and offering around-the-clock availability so your questions are answered and your needs are met day or night.
Undefeated Midland Oilfield Accident Attorneys: 432-220-0000 for a Free Consult
With decades of experience and Billions won, our undefeated Midland-Odessa Oilfield Injury Lawyers have repeatedly secured the largest oilfield accident verdicts and settlements in history, including the #1 Largest Burn Injury Settlement in US History and the #1 Largest Oil Rig Explosion Settlement in Texas history. We know exactly how to stand up, fight, and win for your family.
If you or a loved one were injured in an oilfield accident in Midland-Odessa, call us at 432-220-000 for a free consultation or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us page.
We’ll answer all your questions, explain your rights and options, and provide you with all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions & Helpful Resources
- What Should I Do After an Oilfield Accident?
- Who Can I Sue if I’m Injured in an Oilfield Accident?
- Can I File a Lawsuit After an Oilfield Injury?
- What Should I Expect From My Company After an Oilfield Accident?
- Who Pays for My Medical Treatment if I’m Injured?
- What if My Company is Offering Me Workers’ Comp?
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours