What type of injury have you suffered?

Car Accident

  • Car Accident
  • Head Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Truck Accident
  • Wrongful Death
Select
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call 24/7

(877) 880-4090

MENU

ESPAÑOL

Richardson, TX Oil Rig Accident Lawyer

A conceptual legal image showing an oil rig fading into a set of balanced justice scales, symbolizing the intersection of energy production and law against a dramatic, professional backdrop.
Fielding Law is proud to serve Richardson with responsive, experienced personal injury representation that puts your recovery first. Oil rig and oilfield work is among the most dangerous occupations in Texas, exposing workers to heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and high-risk conditions every day. 

When safety failures, defective equipment, or negligence cause serious oil rig accidents, Fielding Law represents injured workers and their families throughout Richardson and the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.

Call Fielding Law in Richardson today to schedule your free consultation.

Understanding Oil Rig and Oilfield Accidents in Texas

Texas leads the nation in oil and gas production, and with that leadership comes risk. Oil rig accidents often involve high-pressure systems, explosive materials, and physically demanding labor performed in dangerous environments. Even when workers follow safety procedures, a single failure can result in catastrophic injuries or death.

Oil rig accidents may occur at:

  • Onshore drilling sites
  • Oilfields and refineries
  • Tank battery sites
  • Pipeline construction areas
  • Processing and storage facilities

While many oilfields are located outside city limits, injured workers often live in Richardson or the surrounding DFW area and seek medical treatment and legal guidance close to home.

Common Causes of Oil Rig Accidents

Oil rig accidents are rarely “freak accidents.” In many cases, they are the result of preventable safety failures. Common causes include:

  • Equipment failure or malfunction
  • Explosions and fires
  • Blowouts and pressure control failures
  • Inadequate training or supervision
  • Failure to follow safety protocols
  • Improper maintenance of machinery
  • Falling objects
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Transportation accidents involving oilfield vehicles

Oil companies and contractors are responsible for identifying hazards and implementing safety measures. When those responsibilities are ignored, workers pay the price.

Types of Oil Rig Accidents That Lead to Serious Injuries

Explosions and Fires

Oil rig explosions and fires can occur due to gas leaks, equipment failure, or improper handling of flammable materials. These incidents often result in severe burns, inhalation injuries, and fatalities.

Equipment and Machinery Accidents

Oilfield work relies on heavy machinery such as drills, pumps, cranes, and hoists. Malfunctioning or improperly maintained equipment can cause crushing injuries, amputations, and fatal trauma.

Falls From Heights

Workers frequently perform tasks on elevated platforms, rigs, and scaffolding. Missing guardrails, unstable platforms, or lack of fall protection can lead to devastating falls.

Struck-By Accidents

Workers may be struck by falling tools, pipes, or equipment. These accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and internal organ damage.

Vehicle and Transportation Accidents

Oilfield workers are often injured while traveling to or from job sites in company vehicles or heavy trucks. These accidents may involve rollovers, collisions, or poorly maintained vehicles.

Serious Injuries Commonly Caused by Oil Rig Accidents

Oil rig accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries, including:

Injured workers often require emergency care at hospitals such as Baylor University Medical Center or Parkland Hospital, followed by long-term rehabilitation, surgeries, and ongoing medical treatment.

Why Oil Rig Accident Cases Are Especially Complex

Oil rig accident cases are legally complex due to:

  • Multiple companies operating at a single site
  • Layers of contractors and subcontractors
  • Specialized safety regulations
  • High-value insurance policies
  • Attempts to shift blame onto injured workers

Oil companies may argue that injuries were caused by worker error or that safety rules were followed. Fielding Law investigates site operations, safety records, training protocols, and equipment maintenance to identify where failures occurred.

Workers’ Compensation and Oil Rig Injuries

Some oilfield employers carry workers’ compensation insurance, while others do not. This distinction is critical in determining an injured worker’s legal options.

If Workers’ Compensation Applies

Workers’ compensation may provide:

  • Medical benefits
  • Partial wage replacement

However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering and may not fully account for long-term losses.

If the Employer Is a Non-Subscriber

Texas allows employers to opt out of workers’ compensation. In non-subscriber cases, injured workers may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking:

  • Full lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical impairment
  • Punitive damages in some cases

Texas personal injury lawyers at Fielding Law evaluate which system applies and whether additional claims are available.

Third-Party Liability in Oil Rig Accident Cases

Even when workers’ compensation applies, injured oilfield workers may have claims against third parties, such as:

  • Equipment manufacturers
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Site operators
  • Transportation companies
  • Subcontractors

Third-party claims may allow injured workers to pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, including damages for pain and suffering and long-term impairment.

What Must Be Proven in an Oil Rig Accident Lawsuit?

To pursue compensation in an oil rig accident case, an injured worker generally must establish:

  • A duty of care owed by the responsible party
  • A breach of that duty through negligence or misconduct
  • A direct link between the breach and the injury
  • Measurable damages resulting from the injury

Evidence may include accident reports, safety records, OSHA documentation, equipment maintenance logs, witness statements, and expert testimony.

How Long Do You Have to File an Oil Rig Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Most oil rig accident lawsuits in Texas are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This deadline typically begins on the date of the injury.

Claims involving non-subscriber employers or third parties may involve additional notice requirements. Because evidence can disappear quickly at oilfield sites, early legal guidance is critical.

Compensation Available After an Oil Rig Accident

Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment or disability
  • Disfigurement from burns or amputations
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Fielding Law focuses on pursuing compensation that reflects the full, long-term impact of oilfield injuries.

What to Do After an Oil Rig Accident

If you are injured in an oil rig or oilfield accident:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention
  2. Report the incident according to company policy
  3. Document the accident and injuries if possible
  4. Preserve any protective equipment involved
  5. Obtain contact information for witnesses
  6. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers without legal guidance

Early action helps protect both your health and your legal rights.

Why Richardson Injury Victims Choose Fielding Law

Oil rig accident cases require experience, resources, and determination. Injured workers and families choose Fielding Law because of the firm’s:

  • Client-first approach to representation
  • Experience handling catastrophic and industrial injury cases
  • Thorough investigation and case preparation
  • Clear, straightforward communication
  • Commitment to pursuing results that truly matter

When results matter most, injured Texans deserve legal representation focused on accountability and long-term recovery.

Speak With a Richardson, TX Oil Rig Accident Lawyer at Fielding Law

Oil rig accidents can leave workers and families facing devastating injuries and financial uncertainty. You deserve legal representation that understands the complexity of oilfield cases and is prepared to pursue full accountability from negligent companies. Fielding Law helps Richardson residents protect their rights and pursue compensation after serious oil rig accidents.

Call Fielding Law in Richardson today to schedule your free consultation.

Free Case Evaluation

ALL FIELDS REQUIRED*
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.