Oilfield Accident Lawyers — Oil & Gas Industry Injuries
Oilfield accidents are among the most catastrophic workplace injuries—explosions, toxic gas exposure, severe burns, and fatalities. The oil and gas industry operates with multiple contractors on a single site, complex equipment, and extreme pressures and temperatures. Trial Lawyers United represents workers injured in well blowouts, explosions, toxic exposures, and equipment failures, pursuing accountability from operators, drilling contractors, equipment manufacturers, and service companies.
Common Oilfield Hazards
- Well blowouts: uncontrolled release of pressure, explosion, fire, environmental contamination
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure: toxic gas causing immediate neurological damage or fatality
- Equipment failure: pump failure, pipe rupture, valve malfunction, uncontrolled pressure release
- Falls from height: inadequate platform design, missing guardrails, slippery surfaces
- Vehicle rollovers: on rough terrain, excessive speed, inadequate safety equipment
- Burn injuries: from explosions, ignited hydrocarbons, steam, hot surfaces
- Chemical exposure: drilling fluid additives, crude oil vapors, fracking chemical exposure
Who Is Liable in Oilfield Accidents
- Well operators: for failure to maintain well pressure, inadequate inspections, inadequate blowout prevention
- Drilling contractors: for inadequate crew training, failure to follow safety procedures, negligent drilling operations
- Service companies: for equipment failure, inadequate maintenance, faulty safety equipment
- Equipment manufacturers: for design defects, inadequate warnings, failure to include redundant safety systems
Regulatory Framework & Liability
Oilfield operations are regulated by federal agencies (BOEMRE, OSHA) and state regulatory boards. Violations of safety standards, blowout prevention requirements, and H2S protocols can establish negligence per se. Additionally, the offshore operating environment involves admiralty law and federal statutory schemes that differ from land-based drilling.
Multiple contractors and subcontractors often operate on the same site. Coordination failures between entities frequently contribute to accidents. We identify all responsible parties and pursue claims against all liable entities.
Representation in Catastrophic Oilfield Incidents
The lawyers at Trial Lawyers United have handled oilfield injury claims involving:
- Wyoming gas well explosion: worker suffered 87% body surface area burns requiring intensive care and lifelong rehabilitation; pursued equipment failure and operator negligence claims
Overcoming ‘Assumption of Risk’ Defenses
Oilfield operators commonly argue that workers ‘assumed the risk’ of dangerous conditions. This defense fails when:
- The hazard was not clearly disclosed or understood by the worker
- The company had a duty to provide safety equipment or training but failed to do so
- The injury resulted from manufacturer defect or contractor negligence, not inherent to the work
- Regulatory violations suggest the hazard was not an ordinary part of the work
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my oilfield operator or contractor?
Yes, if the operator or contractor was negligent. You must prove breach of a duty of care and that the breach caused your injury. Violation of OSHA or state safety standards establishes breach. Assumption of risk is not a complete bar if the company created the hazard through negligence.
What about offshore accidents?
Offshore oilfield accidents fall under admiralty law and federal maritime statutes. Different standards and damage caps apply. Some offshore workers may have claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) or Jones Act. We evaluate your specific employment status.
What if there were multiple contractors on site?
Multiple contractors often create coordination failures and safety gaps. We investigate each contractor’s role, subcontractor relationships, and insurance coverage. Liability is frequently distributed among multiple parties.
How much is an oilfield injury case worth?
Oilfield injuries are often catastrophic—burns affecting most of the body, loss of limb, wrongful death. Damages range from $500,000 for serious non-fatal injuries to $5 million+ for catastrophic injuries or fatalities. The calculation depends on age, earning capacity, and injury severity. Each case is unique.
Free, Confidential Case Evaluation → Call602-560-5170
All consultations are confidential. No fee unless we win
In the Relentless Pursuit of Justice | Results Without Risk
Trial Lawyers United LLC handles personal injury and mass tort cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless and until we obtain a recovery on your behalf. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. Contingency fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross recovery. In most cases, the client is also responsible for litigation costs and expenses, which may include court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, medical record retrieval, investigation expenses, travel, and other costs necessarily incurred in the prosecution of the case. These costs may be advanced by the firm during the pendency of the case and are typically deducted from the gross recovery in addition to the attorney fee. The specific percentage and the method by which expenses are calculated (whether deducted before or after the contingency fee is computed) will be set forth in the written fee agreement between the client and the firm, which must be signed before representation begins.
"No Fee Unless We Win" Qualifier
When we say "no fee unless we win," we mean that you will not be charged attorney fees if we do not recover compensation on your behalf. Litigation costs and expenses are separate from attorney fees and are addressed in the written fee agreement.