Quick answer: Oilfield work is among the most dangerous in Texas, and seriously injured workers — and the families of those killed — usually have far more options than workers’ compensation. Many Texas energy companies are “non-subscribers” that opt out of workers’ comp, which can open a negligence claim with no cap on damages. You generally have two years from the injury or death to act. The Law Offices of John David Hart — board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law — represents oilfield accident victims across Texas, including the Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa) and Eagle Ford, on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. Call 817-870-2102 for a free consultation.
Why an oilfield accident lawyer — not just workers’ comp
An oilfield injury case is not an ordinary work-injury claim. The path to full compensation depends on how the operator and worksite are structured, and that is exactly where experienced trial counsel changes the outcome:
- Non-subscriber employers. If your employer opted out of Texas workers’ compensation, you may sue them directly for negligence — and they lose their key defenses (contributory negligence, co-worker negligence, assumption of the risk). This can transform a capped comp claim into a full-value negligence case.
- Third-party claims. A drilling site is crowded with operators, drilling contractors, service companies, and equipment suppliers. When a different company’s negligence injures you, you can pursue a third-party claim even if you already received workers’ comp.
- Defective equipment. Failed valves, pipe, pressure or safety equipment can support a product-liability claim against the manufacturer.
Sorting out liability across operators, contractors, and equipment makers is the heart of an oilfield case — and why these claims belong with a board-certified trial lawyer.
Oilfield accidents we handle
- Rig explosions, flash fires, and severe burns
- Falls from derricks, rigs, and elevated platforms
- Struck-by and caught-between injuries (pipe, tongs, heavy equipment)
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and toxic chemical exposure
- Well blowouts and pressure-control failures
- Frac, flowback, and tank-battery accidents
- Crane, hoist, and rigging failures
- Transportation crashes to and from remote well sites
These cause the most catastrophic injuries we see: traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and paralysis, amputations, severe burns, and wrongful death.
Representing injured oilfield workers across Texas
The Law Offices of John David Hart takes serious oilfield injury and death cases anywhere in Texas — including the Permian Basin around Midland and Odessa, the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, and the Barnett Shale near Fort Worth. Many oilfield workers travel for the job; we come to you, and we are built to try these cases, not just settle them cheaply.
Why John David Hart
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization (held by fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys).
- Decades of catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death trial work, including energy-sector cases.
- No fee unless we win — nothing up front, and the consultation is free.
Texas law you should know
- Deadline: generally two years from the injury or death. Evidence on a worksite disappears fast, so act early.
- Non-subscriber advantage: when the employer is a non-subscriber, common employer defenses are stripped away — a major strategic edge.
- No damage cap in most claims: unlike workers’ comp, a successful negligence or third-party claim can recover full damages — past and future medical care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and exemplary damages for gross negligence.
What to do after an oilfield accident
- Get medical treatment and make sure the injury is documented.
- Report the incident and ask for the incident/JSA report.
- Identify every company on site — operator, drilling contractor, service companies, equipment providers.
- Preserve gear, clothing, and any failed equipment if you can.
- Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything from the employer or its insurer before talking to a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue if I already received workers’ comp?
Often yes — through a third-party claim against a different company whose negligence contributed to your injury.
What if my employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp?
Texas lets employers opt out. If yours did (a “non-subscriber”), you may sue for negligence, and the employer loses several important defenses.
Is there a limit on what I can recover?
Most oilfield negligence and third-party claims are not capped the way workers’ comp benefits are.
Do you handle Permian Basin and West Texas oilfield cases?
Yes. We represent injured workers and families statewide, including Midland, Odessa, and the Eagle Ford.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win — and the consultation is free.
Talk to a Texas oilfield accident lawyer today
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call 817-870-2102 (local) or 800-247-1623 (toll-free).
Related: Catastrophic Personal Injury · Wrongful Death · Oilfield Workers — Wage & Hour
