Undefeated Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers
Oil rig explosions and blowouts—whether onshore or offshore—are among the deadliest industrial disasters in the country. Catastrophic workplace explosions have claimed the lives of at least 803 U.S. workers since 2011 and left countless others with severe, life-altering injuries. Worse still, data from the NIOSH Fatality in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) database suggests that oil and gas workers account for roughly 16% of these fatalities.
Many of these tragedies are entirely preventable, caused by negligent companies that prioritize profits over safety.
If you or a loved one were injured in an oil rig explosion or well blowout, our undefeated oil rig explosion lawyers are here to protect your rights and fight for the full justice and maximum compensation you deserve.
The Worst Oil Rig Explosions in History
The deadliest oil rig explosion in history occurred in 1988 when a gas leak triggered multiple explosions on the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea, killing 167 workers.
Despite improvements in safety regulations since then, devastating oil rig explosions and well blowouts continue to occur—many of them entirely preventable. And some of the most catastrophic oil rig disasters have happened in just the last two decades in the United States, proving that oil companies too often put profits ahead of worker safety.
April 2010: Deepwater Horizon Explosion
One of the most infamous oil rig disasters in history, the Deepwater Horizon explosion resulted in the largest marine oil spill ever recorded. The BP-operated rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers, injuring dozens more, and releasing nearly five million barrels of oil before the well was capped 87 days later.
Beyond the human toll, the disaster devastated marine habitats, beaches, and wildlife along thousands of miles of the Gulf Coast. In response, the federal government implemented new safety regulations and created the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to oversee offshore drilling operations.
Zehl & Associates proudly represented five injured Deepwater Horizon workers, securing record-setting settlements that ensured they and their families were taken care of for life.
September 2010: Vermillion 380 Explosion
Just months after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Mariner Energy’s Vermillion oil rig exploded 200 miles off the Louisiana coast. Fortunately, all 13 crewmembers were rescued, but the incident underscored the persistent dangers of offshore drilling.
April 2015: Pemex Oil Rig Explosion
A Pemex oil rig explosion off the coast of Campeche, Mexico, killed four workers and injured 45 others, forcing the evacuation of 300 employees.
Pemex’s history of industrial disasters continued in October 2024, when a chemical release at its Deer Park refinery in Texas hospitalized 13 workers. Zehl & Associates proudly filed suit on behalf of contractors and nearby residents suffering symptoms linked to hydrogen sulfide exposure.
November 2017: Shell Enchilada Platform Explosion
A failure to follow safety procedures led to an explosion and fire aboard Shell’s Enchilada production platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017. As workers loaded a pig launcher into a gas pipeline, a sudden pressure surge caused a massive gas release and explosion, leaving two Shell employees with burns, concussions, and other serious injuries.
Shell’s negligence continued in May 2023, when a deadly explosion rocked the Shell Chemical Plant in Deer Park, TX. Zehl & Associates secured a confidential settlement on behalf of injured contractors in 2024.
The Growing Dangers of Onshore Oilfield Explosions
Offshore explosions aren’t the only threat. In Texas and across the Permian Basin, onshore oilfield disasters have surged in recent years, leaving workers at extreme risk:
- August 2019: A Jasper County Oil Rig Explosion left three workers dead.
- January 2020: A Chesapeake Oil Well Explosion in Burleson County, TX, killed three workers and left one contractor—our client—severely burned over 60% of his body.
- September 2024: A Junction Resources Saltwater Disposal Well Explosion in Martin County, TX, killed one worker and injured three more. Zehl & Associates proudly filed suit on behalf of one of the injured contractors.
How Often Do Oil Rig Explosions Occur?
Despite industry regulations, oil rig explosions remain a persistent and deadly threat. According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), offshore oil rigs experienced 23 explosions and 981 fires between 2014 and 2024, resulting in 25 deaths and 2,161 injuries.
While publicly available data may not consistently distinguish all U.S. oil rig explosions from other industrial incidents, multiple government reports confirm that blowouts and explosions continue to endanger workers across the industry:
- Explosions account for 14.5% of all oil and gas extraction fatalities, making them the third leading cause of worker deaths, behind truck crashes and contact injuries.
- Oil and gas workers face a fatality rate seven times higher than the average U.S. worker.
- The Permian Basin is the deadliest oil patch, responsible for 40% of oilfield fatalities
Unfortunately, the risk of catastrophic oil rig explosions and fires is increasing as critical safety regulations continue to be rolled back. According to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), workplace explosions nationwide are rising for the first time since 2019, with 54 fatalities recorded in 2022—the most recent year with available data. Without stronger protections in place, oilfield workers remain at serious risk.
Why Do More Oil Rig Explosions Happen in Texas?
Texas has more drilling rigs than any other state—with 371 active rigs as of 2025, nearly half of all U.S. drilling rigs. With such a high concentration of oil and gas operations, workers in Texas face a greater risk of being injured or killed in preventable explosions, blowouts, and fires than anywhere else in the country.
As a result, Texas also leads the nation in oil and gas worker injuries and fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
- 1,134 serious injuries between 2017 and 2024—54% of all oil and gas injuries nationwide
- 219 fatalities between 2019 and 2024 — 47% of all oilfield fatalities nationwide
- Texas oilfield fatalities doubled between 2021 and 2022
Common Causes of Oil Rig Explosions and Blowouts
Onshore and offshore oil rigs are massive, self-contained systems designed to drill deep into the earth and extract oil. However, the complexity of these devices, along with the presence of extremely heavy, highly-pressurized equipment and volatile chemicals, pose a significant danger to workers. When safety systems break down or defective parts go unnoticed, the consequences can be deadly, as we have seen time and again.
Corporate negligence, poor safety practices, and corner-cutting are often at the root of these disasters, as we’ve seen repeatedly in tragic incidents across the industry.
The most common causes of oil rig explosions often include:
Ineffective Well-control Practices
One of the primary causes of blowouts is ineffective well-control procedures. In particular, the failure to implement a two-barrier system to kill the well—a practice that involves using two separate methods to control the pressure—can leave a well dangerously unstable. Without proper well control, oil and gas can escape under high pressure, often resulting in a blowout or catastrophic explosion.
Serious Safety Violations
Oil rigs are governed by strict safety standards and regulations. However, repeated violations—such as improper maintenance, lack of training, failure to monitor well pressure, and inadequate safety drills—significantly increase the likelihood of deadly incidents. These violations not only undermine safety but often put workers in harm’s way, directly contributing to preventable explosions and blowouts.
Defective or Damaged Equipment
Blowout preventers (BOPs) are critical to controlling well pressure and preventing blowouts. These devices are designed to seal wells in the event of an emergency, but when BOPs fail—whether due to mechanical malfunctions or poor maintenance—the risk of an uncontrolled release of oil or gas becomes far greater. The Deepwater Horizon disaster serves as a prime example of what can happen when a BOP fails, resulting in the largest marine oil spill in history and the tragic loss of 11 workers’ lives.
Equipment Failure
Oil rigs rely on complex and heavy-duty machinery, including drill pipes, pumps, and pressure control systems. When any of these components fail—whether due to design flaws, wear and tear, or improper maintenance—the risk of oil leaks, fires, and explosions skyrockets. For instance, a failure in a pressure control valve or malfunctioning blowout preventer can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in the infamous Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Improper Drilling Practices
Unsafe or unapproved drilling procedures are another major factor in oil rig accidents. Non-standardized drilling practices, coupled with defective or substandard equipment, increase the likelihood of pressure buildup in the well and can lead to blowouts. In many cases, corners are cut to save time or reduce costs, but these shortcuts often come at the expense of worker safety.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured in an Oil Rig Accident?
If you are injured in an oil rig accident, seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Report the accident to your employer, but do not sign anything. Then, contact an experienced Houston oil rig explosion and accident lawyer as soon as possible.
You can’t trust the oil company to do the right thing — they won’t.
Your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance company have one goal — to protect their profits by paying you as little as possible. Only an experienced oil rig accident lawyer knows exactly how to protect your rights and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us immediately for a free consultation. We’ll explain your legal options and determine if you have an oil rig accident lawsuit or a claim against a negligent third party, which could result in substantial compensation. And we’ll get you all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
Our Oil Rig Accident Attorneys Successfully Represented Workers Injured in BP Deepwater Horizon
Our Undefeated Maritime Lawyers successfully represented five workers seriously injured aboard the BP Deepwater Horizon. Even in the aftermath of the world’s worst oil rig disaster, and despite enduring debilitating injuries, our clients were forced to fight against the very companies responsible for their suffering. No matter how many promises their employers made to “take care of you,” the workers could not rely on these corporations to accept responsibility.
As one client shared: “Transocean was more concerned with getting me back to work than with my overall well-being.”
This is all too common in the oil and gas industry. Companies routinely employ tactics designed to avoid responsibility and minimize compensation for injuries and losses, including:
- Forcing workers to see company doctors who prioritize the company’s interests
- Limiting benefits to workers’ compensation, regardless of the severity of the injury
- Discrediting workers’ injuries to minimize liability
- Using social media posts against workers to undermine claims
- Rushing injured workers back to work before they’re fully recovered
- Threatening termination or blacklisting for seeking justice
Sound familiar? If you were injured on an oil rig, you cannot afford to leave your future in the hands of the companies responsible for your suffering. Our attorneys have the resources and experience to stand up against the largest corporations in the world, to combat their dirty tactics, and to not only win — but set records.
We cannot be outworked, outmaneuvered, or intimidated. As a result, we have secured the largest settlements and verdicts in history for oil rig explosion victims since the Deepwater Horizon disaster—and we don’t intend to stop.
Recent Victories for Oil Rig Explosion Victims
Our founder Ryan Zehl and our undefeated team recently set two records for a contractor severely burned in an oil well blowout during a workover in Burleson County, Texas — the #1 largest oilfield accident settlement and the #1 largest oilfield burn settlement in U.S. history—ensuring that our client, his wife, and their four children are financially secure for life.
Our recent victories for oilfield workers 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
How Zehl & Associates Can Help After an Oil Rig Explosion or Accident
Our approach is simple: If a settlement offer doesn’t fully compensate you and your family for all of your injuries, losses, and future needs, we take the case to trial, where we have never lost a case. We force the company to pay you what you truly deserve—no matter how powerful they are.
Our clients are our top priority. We go beyond simply securing maximum compensation; we stand by you every step of the way. Our team’s commitment is unwavering, ensuring that you’re never alone as you navigate this difficult journey.
Here’s how we make a difference for oilfield accident victims:
- Independent Investigation & Evidence Gathering: We immediately assemble the best lawyers, engineers, and safety experts to conduct a thorough investigation and secure all the crucial evidence—including safety records, maintenance logs, and eyewitness testimony the company doesn’t want us to access—to prove what really happened.
- Access to Top Medical Care: We connect you with the best doctors and specialists who understand the complexities of your injuries, ensuring you get the care you need for a full recovery.
- Around-the-Clock Support: No matter the time or the issue, our team is here for you. We are always available to answer your questions and provide updates on your case.
- Financial Assistance During Your Case: While your case is pending, we help cover reasonable living expenses to relieve some of the financial stress you may face.
- Comprehensive Financial Planning: Once your case is resolved, we help you with financial planning, ensuring that the settlement or verdict fully secures your future and provides for you and your family’s long-term needs.
At Zehl & Associates, we don’t just fight for compensation—we fight to ensure that your life is restored and your future is protected.
Undefeated Texas Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won and decades of experience, our Texas Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers are among the best in the country. Having successfully represented thousands of injured workers in Texas, Louisiana, and across the U.S., we have secured some of the largest record-setting verdicts and settlements for injured oilfield and offshore workers in history. With the resources and experience to stand up against the largest companies in the world, we do whatever it takes to ensure that our clients and their families are fully compensated for all their injuries and damages.
If you were injured in an oil rig explosion or blowout, call us today at 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Liable in an Oil Rig Explosion or Blowout?
What Are the Common Causes of Oil Rig Explosions?
Oilfield Burn Lawsuits: What Do I Need to Know?
What Should I Expect From My Company After an Oil Rig Explosion or Blowout?