Injured in an Oilfield Accident: What to Expect From Your Company

Undefeated Texas Oilfield Accident Lawyers

As an oilfield worker or contractor, you’re no stranger to the risks of your job. But when an accident happens, you’d expect your company or the rig operator to step up and support you through the aftermath.

Sadly, in our experience, this is hardly ever the case. After a catastrophic blowout, explosion, or oilfield accident, it’s often the families of those severely burned, injured, or tragically killed who are left to pick up the pieces on their own. Employers may assure you that they’ll “make things right,” but their promises rarely become reality.

Read on to learn what you should — and shouldn’t — expect from your employer after an oilfield accident and how our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers can fight for your family in the face of broken promises.

1. Expect Your Employer to Avoid Accountability At All Costs

After a life-changing oilfield accident, trusting your future to the oil company will prevent you from being fully compensated for your injuries. Their primary objective is to avoid responsibility no matter what.

In the immediate aftermath, the company, along with its insurers and attorneys, will move fast to protect their own interests, which may even include discrediting your injuries or shifting blame onto you in order to pay you as little as possible.

While it may seem natural to trust your employer to support you after an accident, the reality is that their only focus is minimizing their exposure—not helping you recover. Understanding what they should do versus what they’re likely to do can help you avoid being taken advantage of by these corporate giants.

Actions your employer should take immediately after an oilfield accident:

Securing the medical care of your choice. You have a right to see the doctor of your choice. You are not obligated to see the doctors and medical providers chosen by your employer or its insurer, and it’s in your best interest not to do so. An accurate diagnose, comprehensive treatment, and unbiased medical record will not only prioritize your recovery, but serve as critical evidence should you file a lawsuit.
Filing incident reports accurately and promptly. Employers should ensure all incident reports are completed and submitted without delay to reflect the facts accurately. This documentation can serve as key evidence if legal action becomes necessary. However, oil and gas companies are notorious for tactics such as “losing” evidence or omitting important information in an effort to evade fault and undermine employees’ claims.
Notifying safety agencies. Oil and gas companies must report safety violations, especially when they put workers at risk by disregarding safety protocols or American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. Safety rules and regulations are designed to protect their workers and prevent catastrophic failures. Further, an experienced oilfield accident attorney will use their expertise of federal regulations and a company’s history of violations to strengthen your case.

The truth is that many oilfield accidents are entirely preventable. However, oil and gas companies will stop at nothing to deny responsibility when their negligence results in serious injuries. Instead of taking the actions they should, they often take steps that further harm your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

To ensure you’re treated fairly and receive the financial support you deserve, it’s crucial to seek legal representation as soon as possible —take control by contacting us today for a free consultation.

2. Expect Your Employer To Suggest Treatment by a Company Doctor (Which You Should Refuse)

It’s common for employers to push injured workers toward seeing company-approved or workers’ comp doctors. Why? Because their goal is to save the company money, not to provide you with the best care possible.

Company doctors align with the company’s interests, so they’re more likely to downplay your injuries, rush your recovery timeline, or prematurely clear you for work.

Here’s why you should refuse treatment by a company doctor:

You receive limited care. Company doctors may focus on short-term recovery rather than addressing the long-term effects of your injuries, potentially leaving you with untreated or worsened conditions.
You are far more likely to be pressured to return to work early. These doctors may declare you fit for work before you’re truly ready, which can exacerbate your injuries and impact your ability to heal fully.
They downplay your injuries. The severity of your injuries may be minimized to reduce the company’s liability, resulting in lower compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.
Their assessment is biased. Without a second opinion from a doctor of your choice, you may not get an accurate diagnosis or treatment plan that considers your long-term health.

Don’t let your employer pressure you into seeing a company-aligned physician. You have the legal right to choose your own doctor. Seeking independent medical care is crucial to ensuring that your injuries are properly treated and fully documented, which is essential for receiving the compensation you deserve.

At Zehl & Associates, we ensure that our clients see the best doctors and medical providers in the country at no up-front cost to them.

3. Expect Your Employer to Limit You to Workers’ Compensation

Oilfield accident injuries, including severe burns, are often life-altering and come with sky high medical bills and an uncertain future. But workers’ compensation benefits are designed to provide only a small portion of your lost wages and medical expenses — and they never cover all of your losses.

These benefits can be cut off as soon as the company doctor declares you fit to return to work, even if you’re still in pain or need ongoing care. Workers’ comp is also limited to the company’s preferred doctors, which often means you’re not receiving the most objective care or treatment options.

Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, workers’ compensation benefits never cover:

Pain and suffering
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Future medical expenses
100% of your lost wages, both past and future

Though your employer may try to limit you to Workers’ Comp, if your injuries are the result of your employer’s gross negligence (or a third party’s gross negligence), you have the right to hold them fully accountable.

And your only chance of being fully compensated for all your injuries and financial losses is by filing an oilfield personal injury lawsuit.

4. Expect Your Employer to Discourage You From Taking Legal Action

If you or a loved one were severely injured, you may very well have grounds for a lawsuit beyond what workers’ compensation covers. Texas permits workers to file personal injury lawsuits against other companies and contractors that caused or contributed to the accident — particularly in accidents involving contractors, faulty equipment, or unsafe working conditions.

However, your employer may suggest that hiring a lawyer or pursuing legal action will only complicate matters or delay compensation.

The reality is that the only way to seek the full compensation you deserve is through a lawsuit, which covers far more than workers’ comp alone, including ALL of your damages, such as:

Pain and suffering: Workers’ comp does not account for the emotional and physical toll of your injuries, let alone any mental anguish, physical impairment or disfigurement.
Future medical expenses: Long-term care needs, especially the treatment necessary for those with severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, or PTSD, will not be covered by workers’ compensation.
Lost wages and earning potential: Workers’ comp only provides a fraction of your lost wages and doesn’t account for money that you won’t be able to earn in the future due to your injuries.

Do not let your employer’s threat of “delayed compensation” dictate your future. Once hired, Zehl & Associates fronts all the costs, assists with your living expenses, and dedicates whatever resources necessary to winning your case, so you can focus on what matters most.

Determining if you have a viable third-party claim requires legal expertise, and you must act quickly to protect your rights. Only an experienced oilfield accident attorney can immediately assess your case and determine your best legal options — our team is here to offer guidance at 1-888-603-3636.

5. Expect Your Employer to Push for a Quick Return to Work

Employers who have pressured you into seeing a company doctor will also waste no time pressuring you into returning to work before you’re fully recovered.

This not only jeopardizes your health, but serves their interests by minimizing the compensation they owe you for lost wages and ongoing medical treatment. However, returning too early can worsen your injuries and impact your ability to fully recover, both physically and financially.

Before you agree to return to work, ask yourself:

Am I still in pain or discomfort? Returning too soon can worsen your condition.
Has my doctor confirmed I’m fully recovered? Trust your personal doctor’s advice over any company-appointed physician.
Am I physically capable of performing my job duties safely? Pushing yourself beyond your current limits can lead to re-injury.
Will returning affect my compensation claim? Returning too early might minimize your claim for lost wages or future medical needs.
Am I being pressured by my employer? If you feel coerced, you should seek experienced legal guidance right away.

Never let your employer rush you back to work before you’re truly ready. Prioritize your health and consult an experienced oilfield injury lawyer to ensure your rights are fully protected.

6. NEVER Expect Your Employer Take Care of You Financially

In our experience, oil and gas companies never hesitate to make matters worse for injured workers, regardless of the severity of the accident, the extent of your losses, or any promises they may make. From downplaying your injuries to obstructing your ability to seek justice, we repeatedly see employers take actions that make an already difficult situation far, far worse.

Along with the previous tactics mentioned, other troubling behaviors you might encounter include:

Blame-shifting: Employers would rather pin the accident on you than admit to unsafe practices or negligence. That may include blaming you for failing to “stop work” or perform a complete JSA or Hazard Analysis prior to starting the job, or discrediting you by obtaining conflicting statements from co-workers or “experts” hired by the company after the accident.
Surveilling your social media: Companies will not think twice about monitoring your social media activity to find any post, photo, or comment that could be used to discredit your injury claim or suggest that you are exaggerating your injuries. Additionally, they may hire private investigators to follow, photograph, and videotape you and your family.
“Losing” or destroying critical evidence: Key evidence that could prove company fault or clear your name can easily “disappear” when it benefits the company.
Withholding paychecks: Shockingly, companies will even try to withhold your paycheck until you agree to sign documents waiving your right to pursue damages. NEVER sign any paperwork until you’ve consulted with an experienced oil rig injury lawyer.
Terminating employment: Employers often terminate injured workers once the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit expires (you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file in Texas).
Blacklisting in the Industry: Workers who pursue their rights may find it difficult to get rehired in the oil and gas industry, effectively barring them from future work.

Only by consulting a knowledgeable oilfield injury attorney, securing independent medical care, and documenting the details of your accident can you better position yourself to obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.

Don’t let your employer’s broken promises or unfair treatment stand in the way of your future; make sure you have the support and guidance needed to reclaim it — contact us today at 1-888-603-3636.

When to Hire an Oilfield Accident Lawyer

With your family’s future on the line, you should never attempt to negotiate with the oilfield company or its insurance company on your own.

Only an experienced oilfield injury lawyer will understand the tactics the company will try to use to avoid responsibility, know how to locate and preserve vital evidence, and can ensure that you and your family receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and financial losses.

Unsure whether you need an attorney? Ask yourself these key questions:

Is the company pressuring me to settle quickly? Quick settlement offers are often designed to minimize your compensation and prevent you from seeking additional damages. Don’t be fooled!
Am I being discouraged from seeking independent medical care? Employers who try to limit you to their chosen doctors, are not interested in your long-term recovery. Only an attorney can protect your rights and secure your future.
Has my employer suggested that I don’t need a lawyer? When companies discourage legal representation, it’s usually to protect their own interests, not yours.
Do I know all the potential sources of compensation? In many cases, third parties (such as equipment manufacturers or contractors) may be at fault, which can impact your legal options and the compensation available.
Am I confident that all evidence is being preserved? Only an experienced attorney can ensure that all the crucial evidence is documented and preserved to support your case. We know where to look, how to find it, and more importantly, how to use it to prove what happened and how the accident could — and should — have been prevented.
Do I fully understand the long-term impact of my injuries? If you’re unsure of your future medical costs or how your injury may affect your ability to work, a trusted lawyer can accurately calculate and include these factors in your claim.

Consulting an oilfield injury attorney for a free consultation can make a vital difference in understanding your best legal options and path forward. You don’t have to navigate this challenging process alone.

How Zehl & Associates Can Help if You Were Seriously Injured in an Oilfield Accident

Our oilfield injury attorneys are here to stand up to these corporate giants and their legal teams, make sure that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve, and force the companies to be safer so that accidents like this don’t happen again.

We aren’t like other law firms. We specialize in not only representing oilfield workers seriously burned in the worst blowouts and explosions in history, but ensuring that we recover the absolute maximum compensation possible, so you and your family never have to worry again.

With Billions won and an undefeated track record of oilfield accident cases, we have secured record-setting victories for thousands of clients in Texas and across the U.S. We are proud to currently represent two contractors tragically burned in catastrophic oil well blowouts in Garden City, Texas and Knott, Texas in 2024.

Among our recent victories for oilfield workers, we have secured:

#1 Largest Oilfield Accident Settlement for an individual in U.S. history
#1 Largest Oilfield Burn Settlement for an individual in U.S. history
$100M Settlement on behalf of workers injured in a petrochemical explosion
$90M Settlement on behalf of a contractor severely burned in a blowout
$62M Settlement on behalf of an oilfield burn victim
$55M Settlement on behalf of an injured oilfield worker

And we will stop at nothing to stand up, fight, and win for your family too.

From sign up to settlement, we are here for you every step of the way, ensuring you have access to the best medical treatment, that your medical bills and reasonable living expenses are covered while your case is pending, that your questions are answered around the clock, and that you can depend on us to NEVER settle for less than the full compensation you deserve.

Undefeated Oilfield Injury Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult

With decades of experience and Billions won for oilfield workers and their families across Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and all around the United States, our Undefeated Oilfield Injury Lawyers know exactly how to stand up, fight, and win against the largest oil and gas companies in the world and not only win, but set records for our clients.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured or tragically killed in an oilfield blowout, accident, or explosion, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.

Our Oilfield Accident Attorneys will answer all of your questions, explain your rights, and make sure you have all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.

All consultations are free, and you won’t owe us a dime unless we win your case.