We were bringing an abandoned well online. I was the operator. We pulled the pipe out. It comes out of the well. Top drive is bringing it down. We rack that one back. And that’s when the top drive fully releases. It starts to come down real quick. That’s when I start to hear everybody yelling jump, jump, jump. I look up and you see the pipe and then you just see the derrick.
And after that, it was lights out. Well, that kelly hose had caught a platform. So, as a derrick goes over, that platform coming over and literally crushing me from the left, smashing me into a handrail and then knocking me unconscious.
I was on the next flight to Midland. It was really scary for a while, not knowing what was going to happen. I get there and uh he, you know, wasn’t able to move either one of his shoulders. It’s been a huge struggle for him just not being able to do the things that he could do before. You know, it was pretty scary.
Our work gave us a bunch of empty promises and sent us home. And I was like, man, as soon as I get home, I’m going to the doctor to really find out what’s going on. And then called and found Zehl and Associates. And after talking with you guys, there’s no way it’s not the right choice. It was nice to always have somebody to talk to.
I know that Gazelle definitely set the tone, set everything like definitely knew that we were being taken care of. Every week I’ve talked to somebody at least twice a week sometimes. I’ve already been told by several doctors that in order to get fixed to walk normal, to be normal, needed the surgeries. It was very difficult. I was thankful for Zel for getting things done.
So, he had to have his lower back fused, his neck fused, six surgeries, and like countless injections. You’ve helped get him the doctors and the treatment to recover from this whilst also defending him. Now, I know that we’re going to be taken care of.
And there has been now two or three people that have gotten in incidents. I’ve told them like the only way to really get protected is you got to find help for yourself. And if you want to be taken care of, go to the right place. Go to Zehl Associates.
We’re very grateful that we found you guys.
Undefeated Oil & Gas Injury Lawyers
Braxton was working as a well operator in Midland, Texas, when a completely preventable oilfield accident crushed him beneath an oil platform during a workover. Despite suffering serious crush injuries, his employer sent him home from a company-approved doctor who downplayed his injuries and put his family’s future at risk.
From the beginning, Braxton recognized that the company was already trying to control the narrative.
He turned to Zehl & Associates because he knew he needed a legal team with the resources and experience to take on the largest oil companies in the world — and not just win, but set records.
With Billions recovered for clients and some of the largest verdicts and settlements in history against energy corporations — including the #1 oilfield burn injury settlement in U.S. history — we know what it takes to stand up for injured oilfield workers and their families after the unthinkable.
From day one, our team ensured Braxton had access to the medical care he needed. We connected him with leading spine and orthopedic specialists, ensured his injuries were fully documented through ongoing treatment, and managed the complex medical care required after multiple surgeries. At the same time, we maximized his recovery in real time by documenting and calculating all of his damages, accounting for the full impact on his ability to work and live.
While Braxton underwent six surgeries and spent more than a month in the hospital, our team continued pressing the case forward against a company that refused to accept responsibility.
That pressure led to a record-breaking settlement before trial ever began, providing Braxton with the financial resources needed to support his family and rebuild his future.
Contact our Undefeated Oilfield Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation at (888) 603-3636 or by Clicking Here
Injured in an oilfield accident? Contact our Undefeated Oilfield Injury Lawyers at (888) 603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our contact form by clicking here.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.