Oil Field Injuries on the Job in Texas: Top Questions Answered by a San Antonio Personal Injury Attorney

Oilfield work powers much of Texas’s economy, but it remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Workers in South Texas and around San Antonio — whether on drilling rigs, fracking sites, well service operations, or lease roads in the Eagle Ford Shale — face serious risks every day. When an injury happens, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be devastating.

At Raul B. Rodriguez Law, P.C., we regularly help injured oilfield workers and their families understand their rights and fight for the full compensation they deserve. Below, we break down the latest statistics, answer the most common questions we hear from oilfield injury victims, expose common employer tactics used to deny or minimize claims, and share practical advice for protecting your rights.

The Reality of Oil Field Injuries: Key Statistics

The oil and gas extraction industry consistently ranks among the most hazardous in the United States. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the fatal injury rate for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction is significantly higher than the national average across all industries.

Texas leads the nation in both oil production and workplace fatalities. In recent years, the state recorded over 800 workplace fatalities annually, with a substantial portion tied to energy sector activities. A multi-year CDC analysis of severe work-related injuries (amputations, loss of an eye, or inpatient hospitalization) in the oil and gas extraction (OGE) sector found that Texas accounted for 54% of all such cases nationwide.

Common causes of serious and fatal oilfield injuries include:

• Struck-by incidents involving heavy equipment, pipes, or falling objects
• Caught-in or between machinery and equipment
• Falls from heights on rigs and platforms
• Vehicle and transportation incidents on remote lease roads
• Explosions, fires, and burns
• Electrocution and chemical exposure

These incidents often result in catastrophic injuries — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and long-term orthopedic problems — that require extensive medical care and can permanently affect a worker’s ability to earn a living.

Top Questions Attorneys Typically Get About Oil Field Injury Claims

Here are the questions we hear most often from injured oilfield workers and their families, along with clear answers:

1. Can I still pursue a claim if my employer has workers’ compensation insurance? Yes. Even if your employer is a workers’ comp subscriber, you may have a third-party claim against another contractor, the well operator, equipment manufacturer, or other company whose negligence contributed to your injury. Many oilfield sites involve multiple companies, which creates opportunities to recover full damages (including pain and suffering) beyond limited workers’ comp benefits.

2. What if my employer is a “non-subscriber” to Texas workers’ compensation? This is very common in the oilfield industry. If your employer opted out of workers’ comp, you can file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them for negligence. In these cases, you can recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and more. Non-subscriber employers also lose certain legal defenses they might otherwise use.

3. How long do I have to file a claim or lawsuit? In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly on active job sites, and insurance companies start building their defense immediately. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible is critical.

4. What compensation can I recover in an oilfield injury case? Depending on whether it’s a third-party claim or non-subscriber case, you may be entitled to:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement and physical impairment
• Loss of consortium (for spouses)

Workers’ compensation benefits are much more limited and usually do not include compensation for pain and suffering.

5. What if I was partially at fault for the accident? Texas law has specific rules depending on the type of claim. In many non-subscriber and third-party negligence cases, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed certain thresholds. An experienced attorney will carefully evaluate liability and protect your rights.

6. Will I lose my job or face retaliation for filing a claim? Retaliation for filing a legitimate work injury claim is illegal in Texas. An attorney can help document any adverse actions and take steps to protect you.

Tactics Employers and Insurance Companies Use to Deny or Minimize Oil Field Injury Claims

Oilfield employers and their insurers often employ aggressive strategies, especially on high-value claims:

• Claiming the injury wasn’t work-related or was caused by a pre-existing condition.
• Blaming the worker for “failing to follow safety rules,” “horseplay,” or not using personal protective equipment (even when safety protocols were inadequate).
• Misclassifying workers as independent contractors to avoid responsibility.
• Conducting surveillance to dispute the severity of injuries or ability to work.
• Pressuring injured workers to return to light duty too soon or sign releases/settlements before the full extent of injuries is known.
• Delaying or denying medical treatment and fighting the need for specialist care or surgery.
• Pointing fingers at other contractors on multi-employer sites to create confusion about liability.
• Failing to preserve evidence or allowing the scene to be altered before proper investigation.

These tactics are designed to wear down injured workers and reduce or eliminate payouts. Having an attorney who understands oilfield operations and these strategies levels the playing field.

Helpful Advice for Workers Injured in Oil Field Accidents

If you’ve been hurt on the job in the oilfield, take these steps immediately:

1. Get medical treatment right away — Tell every doctor and medical provider that your injury is work-related.
2. Report the injury promptly to your supervisor or employer in writing (text or email creates a record).
3. Document everything — Take photos and videos of the scene, your injuries, equipment involved, and conditions before anything is moved or cleaned up. Get names and contact information for all witnesses.
4. Keep detailed records of all medical appointments, prescriptions, mileage to appointments, and time missed from work.
5. Do NOT give a recorded statement to the insurance company or sign any documents, releases, or settlements without speaking to an attorney first.
6. Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all recommended treatment.
7. Contact an experienced oilfield injury attorney as soon as possible. Early involvement helps preserve critical evidence and prevents insurance companies from taking advantage of you.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone – YOUR INJURIES ARE REAL…….RAUL IS REAL!

Oilfield injuries change lives. The companies and insurance carriers involved have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their bottom line. You deserve an advocate who will fight just as hard for you and your family.

Raul B. Rodriguez is a San Antonio personal injury attorney who handles complex job injury and oil field cases throughout Texas. He understands the unique challenges oilfield workers face and is committed to holding negligent parties accountable.

Call Raul B. Rodriguez Law, P.C. today at (210) 899-0300 for a free case evaluation. We offer free consultations, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Hablamos español.

Office Location: 922 S. Alamo St. San Antonio, TX 78205

If you or a loved one has suffered an oil field injury, don’t wait. The sooner you get experienced legal help, the better your chances of protecting your rights and securing the resources you need to recover and move forward. Raul is REAL — and he won’t back down.