Undefeated Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyers
Odessa Oilfield Injury Attorneys with Billions Recovered
Odessa is a central hub in the energy-producing powerhouse known as the Permian Basin. The region is not just a driving force for the local economy, but an energy bedrock for our nation, directly influencing oil markets around the world. However, the very engine of Odessa’s prosperity comes with substantial risks to the workers who keep these vital oilfields producing around the clock.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, oil and gas workers in the United States are seven times more likely to die on the job compared to employees in all other industries combined. Yet despite the constant risk of catastrophic accidents and explosions, oilfield companies remain all too willing to cut corners in the rush to extract as much oil and gas from the ground before energy prices fall.
Our Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyers Set Records for Our Clients
Our Undefeated Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyers are known for winning the largest verdicts and settlements in history against the largest oil companies in the world.
In just the past 5 years alone, our Odessa Oilfield Injury Lawyers have won Billions and repeatedly recovered the largest verdicts and settlements in history for oilfield and drilling rig accident victims, including:
- #1 Largest Oilfield Injury Settlement in US History
- #1 Largest Oilfield Burn Injury Settlement in US History
- #1 Largest Accident Verdict in Texas
- #1 Largest Accident Settlement in Texas
- #2 Largest Accident Verdict in Texas
- 8 of the Largest Settlements in Texas
- Billions for injured workers and their families
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Zehl & Associates for a free case review.
What Our Clients Say About Our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers
Every one of our oilfield injury lawyers is a trial attorney with the experience and resources to take on the country’s largest drilling companies and legal teams and ensure that our clients and their families receive the largest recovery possible for their injuries and damages.
Having successfully represented thousands of injured oilfield workers across Texas, Louisiana and the United States, we understand the physical and financial effects an oilfield accident has on our clients and their families. We also understand that a victory in their case is central to ensuring they’re able to receive the best medical care available and, just as importantly, have access to the financial resources needed to care for themselves and their families for the rest of their lives.
Our clients become like family, and we take our responsibility to them seriously.
From finding the best doctors and medical providers for our clients to helping them pay their bills while their cases are pending, we’re there for our clients every step of the way.
But you don’t have to take our word for it.
You can hear from our clients themselves by visiting our Client Testimonial Page or our firm’s YouTube Channel.
Leading Causes of Odessa Oilfield Accidents
The vast majority of oilfield injuries and deaths are entirely preventable and would not have occurred had the company followed critical safety regulations and industry standards intended to protect the health and well-being of their employees.
Failure to Provide Adequate Training
All too often, Odessa oilfield workers are rushed into high-risk environments without the proper training. This isn’t just irresponsible; it’s a ticking time bomb for disaster. In fact, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations underscore training as pivotal for workplace safety, noting a significant overlap between untrained or inadequately trained employees and fatal accidents.
Failure to Provide Safety Equipment
Whether it’s something as essential as flame-retardant gloves and protective eyewear or complex fall arrest systems, the difference between a close call on the oilfield or a severe injury or tragic fatality often comes down to having access to the right safety equipment. Yet our investigations have repeatedly found that the equipment that should be provided to workers is frequently outdated, insufficient, or worse, entirely absent, often in direct violation of OSHA regulations.
Equipment Failures
When equipment malfunctions in the Odessa oilfields, the results can be deadly. Equipment failures are often due to negligence in maintenance and oversight. For example, issues involving blowout preventers, valves, pumps, and other vital equipment frequently trigger devasting explosions unless an oilfield operator takes immediate steps to address the problem.
Transportation Accidents
Traveling to, from, and within the Permian Basin oilfields can be just as risky as the work itself. In fact, fatalities from oilfield truck crashes and other transportation-related accidents are alarmingly high, with the CDC reporting that 4 out of 10 oil and gas worker deaths involved a motor vehicle.
Failure to Take Proper Precautions When Performing Hot Work
Welding and other hot work require stringent safety protocols, especially when it’s being performed on an oilfield, where the presence of volatile gases and vapors can allow even a single spark to trigger a massive explosion or fire.
Exhaustion and Fatigue
The demands of oilfield work are relentless. Long shifts that stretch into the night and overtime that becomes standard—these practices push workers beyond their limits, leading to exhaustion and fatigue. Exhaustion and fatigue make it difficult to concentrate and slow reaction times, significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Exposure to H2S Gas
Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) is a silent but lethal oil and gas industry hazard. Exposure can be fatal within mere minutes at high concentrations, but even at lower levels, H2S can cause long-term neurological damage.
What to Do After an Odessa Oilfield Accident
In the immediate aftermath of an oilfield accident or explosion, you can be certain that the company and its insurer are already taking steps to avoid responsibility, even if that means losing or destroying critical evidence and attempting to shift blame to you and your fellow workers.
Unless you act just as quickly, you are substantially decreasing your chances of being fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
Here are some of the most important things you can do immediately after an Odessa Oil Field Accident:
- Report the Incident: Notify your supervisor or the company safety man about the accident. Official reporting will ensure you’re able to collect any workers’ compensation benefits your employer has made available to you and will provide documentation of the accident and your injuries..
- Seek Medical Attention: Some symptoms may not appear immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. It’s crucial to have a medical professional evaluate your condition as soon as possible. Your medical records will also serve as critical evidence in the event you choose to pursue a legal claim against those responsible for your injuries.
- Document As Much As Possible: If you’re able to do so, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any relevant equipment. Finally, write down or record your recollection of events leading up to your injury while they’re still fresh.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any personal protective equipment (PPE) you wore and anything related to the incident. Do not launder or alter these items in any way, and under no circumstances should you turn them over to your employer, its insurer, or their representatives.
- Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company or Sign Anything: Do not speak with the oilfield company’s insurance adjuster, provide a recorded statement, sign anything, or accept any money other than your regular paycheck. No matter what they say or promise, the insurance adjuster is only looking to avoid responsibility and protect their bottom line by denying you and your family full compensation for all of your injuries and losses.
- Avoid Discussing the Incident: Do not discuss the accident or your injuries on social media, with coworkers, or with anyone other than your spouse and attorney. Your employer’s insurance company almost certainly has you under surveillance, and anything you post to social media or say to anyone could be used against you later.
- Follow Through with Treatment: Attend all medical appointments and adhere to the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare providers. If you fail to comply with all medical guidance, you’ll jeopardize your recovery and give your employer and its insurer ammunition to question your claims and deny you the compensation you truly deserve.
Our Oilfield Accident Attorneys Don’t Just Win – We Set Records
Our Oilfield Accident Lawyers have successfully represented workers injured in connection with every major explosion and workplace disaster in recent history and consistently recovered the largest accident verdicts and settlements in Texas.
Some of the cases that we’ve handled include:
- Oil Well Blowout in Burleson County, Texas
- BP Deepwater Horizon Explosion
- Shell Enchilada explosion
- Williams Geismar explosion
- Williams Gibson explosion
- BP Texas City explosion
- Imperial Sugar refinery explosion
- International Paper Explosion
Contact Our Odessa Oil field Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in an oilfield or drilling rig accident, it’s important that you take steps to protect yourself and your family as soon after the accident as possible.
Despite what the company and their insurance adjusters (claims reps) may tell you, they have one goal: to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and losses. Unless you have an experienced Oilfield Accident Lawyer on your side, they will NEVER pay you what you need to receive the best medical care available and provide for yourself and your family for the rest of your life.
Don’t leave your future in their hands. Contact our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers at 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email through our Contact Form.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
Odessa Oilfield Accident FAQs
What is Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ compensation is essentially a no-fault insurance policy that your employer purchases to cover medical expenses and a percentage of the injured person’s lost wages after an accident.
What Benefits are Provided by Workers’ Comp?
When your employer is a “workers comp subscriber,” you don’t have to prove the company was at fault in order to receive benefits. You simply have to show that you were injured on the job. Once you’ve done this, a portion of your medical bills are covered, and you’re eligible to receive a percentage of your ordinary wages until the company doctor says that you’re able to return to work. Workers comp, however, does not provide you with the full damages that you could recover through a personal injury lawsuit.
Why Can’t Oilfield Workers Count on Workers’ Compensation?
Unfortunately, because worker’s compensation only pays a percentage of your wages for a limited period of time, it’s unlikely that you’ll receive enough to cover all of your damages and expenses while you’re recovering and unable to work. Workers’ compensation also won’t provide payment for other damages you could receive through a personal injury lawsuit, such as pain and suffering, future medical bills, and future lost wages.
Who Can I Sue After an Odessa Oilfield Accident?
Most states, including Texas, prevent those receiving workers’ compensation benefits from also filing a personal injury lawsuit against their direct employers unless they can prove their injuries resulted from the employer’s gross negligence. However, if an accident was caused (or partially caused) by a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another third party other than their employer, they are free to seek full damages against that third party through a personal injury lawsuit.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp Coverage?
If your employer is a “non-subscriber,” which means they don’t provide workers comp coverage, you’re entitled to seek compensation for all of your damages against your employer through a personal injury lawsuit.
Unlike workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to recover damages for ALL of your physical and economic damages. Also, because your employer chose not to provide worker’s compensation coverage, they are LEGALLY BARRED from asserting several important common-law defenses in the personal injury lawsuit you file against them.
How Long Do I Have to File an Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawsuit?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including oilfield accidents, is generally two years from the date of the incident. It’s critical to act swiftly to preserve your legal rights. Delays can hinder your claim; evidence may be lost or destroyed, and witness memories may fade. By contacting our skilled legal team immediately, you ensure we can build the strongest case on your behalf, protecting your right to full and fair compensation for your losses.
Can I Seek Compensation if the Accident was Partially My Fault?
Even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident, Texas law follows the “modified comparative fault” rule, allowing you to recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. Our experienced oilfield attorneys are committed to minimizing your fault and maximizing your recovery.
What Can I Recover in an Oilfield Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Beyond workers’ comp limitations, a personal injury lawsuit can provide full compensation for a variety of damages, including but not limited to medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. Each element of your compensation is calculated to ensure your current and future needs are met.