Undefeated Texas Oil Field Accident Lawyers
As the leader of U.S. oil and gas production, Texas sees the most deadly oilfield accidents in America each year — with 219 workplace fatalities recorded from 2014 to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
But even with these grim statistics in mind, the number of Texas oilfield fatalities is shockingly on the rise yet again, not only steadily increasing, but more than doubling from 2021 to 2022.
41 Oilfield Fatalities in Texas in 2022
There were 83 occupational fatalities in the U.S. oil and gas extraction industries in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and nearly half of those — 41 fatalities total — occurred in Texas.
Of the 41 Texas oilfield fatalities in 2022:
- Workers who specialize in support activities for the oil and gas industry accounted for 73% of all Texas oilfield fatalities with 30 total fatal injuries (as opposed to only 11 fatalities in 2021)
- Those who make a living in drilling oil and gas wells accounted for another 17% with 7 fatalities total (as opposed to only 4 in 2021)
Sadly, oilfield fatalities have not only increased over the last three years in Texas, but the number of these tragic — and often entirely preventable — fatal accidents more than doubled since the previous year, in which Texas saw just 19 oilfield fatalities in 2021.
3 Most Deadly Types of Texas Oilfield Accidents
From the constant presence of volatile chemicals to the threat of rig explosions and well blowouts, oilfield workers put their lives at risk every day to make an honest living. And though federal regulations and industry protocols require oil and gas companies to follow strict rules to keep their workers safe, oilfield operators are notorious for cutting corners and urging employees to rush jobs for the sake of profit.
Sadly, this often results in accidents — and fatalities — that are entirely preventable.
The Texas oilfield accidents that claimed the most lives in 2022 serve as a grave reminder of what happens when oil companies prioritize profit over safety:
1. Oilfield Truck Accidents
According to OSHA, roughly 25% of all oil and gas fatalities result from an oilfield truck accident or other motor vehicle crash. But in Texas, these accidents accounted for well over half of all oilfield fatalities in 2022, claiming 23 lives. Speeding and fatigue are two main causes of these deadly accidents as drivers commonly rush jobs and work long, exhausting hours. Sadly, this reckless behavior impacts more than just oilfield workers. The Texas oil patch now accounts for almost one in four of all roadway deaths in the state.
2. Contact With Objects and Equipment
Drilling rigs, pumps, and valves are daily hazards for oilfield workers. But when issues such as poor maintenance, lack of training, manufacturing defects or failing or malfunctioning equipment comes into play, the risk of falling objects, entanglement, or being struck by heavy machinery increases dramatically. According to OSHA, three out of every five oilfield injuries are caused caused by an oilfield worker being crushed, struck by, and caught between an object. Sadly, these accidents claimed 10 lives in Texas in 2022 — nearly a quarter of all oilfield fatalities.
3. Falls, Slips, and Trips
Working at heights, as oilfield workers often do atop drilling rig platforms or scaffolding, can increase the risk of a fall — and of severe injuries such traumatic brain injuries or fractures and broken bones. But these accidents become far deadlier when there is a lack of proper safety equipment, improper training, or when jobs are rushed. Fatal falls claimed 4 lives in 2022 — nearly 10% of Texas oilfield deaths.
Billions Won for Oilfield Accident Victims
The bottom line is that when large oil and gas corporations overlook safety by telling workers to rush jobs, work without proper safety equipment, or ignore other red flags, even the smallest problems can — and will — turn deadly.
When the unthinkable happens, you don’t have to fight on your own. With BILLIONS won, our oilfield accident attorneys have a track record of standing up to Big Oil and securing the full compensation our clients deserve, all while making sure horrible accidents like this never happen again.
We proudly secured a $90 Million settlement for our client who was severely burned in one of the worst oilfield disasters in history — an oil rig blowout in Burleson County, Texas caused by an operator directly ignoring company and American Petroleum Institute safety protocols. This was the #1 largest oilfield accident settlement in U.S. history.
Our recent victories also include:
- $100 million won for workers injured in a Texas oilfield explosion
- $62 million won for a worker injured in a West Texas oil rig accident
- $55 million won for a worker severely burned in an Odessa, Texas oilfield accident
- $11.5 million won for a worker who suffered serious neck and back injuries at a West Texas rig site
If a settlement offer doesn’t fully compensate you and your family for ALL your injuries and losses, we take the case to trial and force the company to pay you what you deserve.
Your Legal Options After an Oilfield Accident
After an oilfield accident, the choices you make can impact the rest of your life. You can’t trust the oil company to do the right thing — they won’t.
You can expect the company, its insurers, and their team of lawyers to do everything possible to deny responsibility and pay you as little as possible for the harm they’ve caused UNLESS you take the necessary steps to protect your rights and your family’s future as soon as possible:
- Demand immediate medical treatment with a doctor of your choice – not one chosen by the company and its workers comp carrier
- Do not give a formal statement, sign ANY paperwork, or accept any money from the company (besides your regular paycheck) before speaking with an experienced oilfield injury lawyer
- Don’t post about the accident or your injuries on social media
- Don’t discuss the accident with anyone other than your spouse or attorney
Most importantly, 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.
Texas Oilfield Accident Lawyers: Contact 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Undefeated Texas Oilfield Accident Attorneys have the resources to take on any oil company in the world. We have repeatedly recovered the largest verdicts and settlements in the United State for workers who were seriously injured or tragically killed in preventable oilfield accidents in Texas and across the United States. And we don’t just win — we set records.
If you or a loved one were tragically injured in the oil patch, contact our team today at 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form.
All consultations are free, and because we only represent clients for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.