Oilfield injury claims in Midland-Odessa
The Permian Basin puts drilling rigs, workover rigs, frac sites, pipelines and the trucks that serve them across Midland and Ector counties. When someone is hurt on a well site, or a driver is hit by an oilfield truck on Interstate 20 or State Highway 191, the questions that decide the case come early: who employed the injured worker, who controlled the site, and whether the employer carried workers' compensation.
Does your employer carry workers' compensation?
Texas is the one state where workers' compensation is optional for most private employers. An employer that does not carry it is called a non-subscriber. Under Texas Labor Code section 406.033, a non-subscribing employer sued by an injured employee cannot rely on the defenses that the employee was contributorily negligent, assumed the risk, or was hurt by a fellow employee's negligence.
If your employer does carry workers' compensation, a claim against a different company on the same site may still be possible.
More than one company may be involved
A well site often has an operator, a drilling contractor, service companies and trucking contractors working side by side. Depending on the facts, a company that controlled an unsafe condition may be responsible even if it was not your employer.
Oilfield truck crashes
Water haulers, sand trucks and 18 wheelers serving the oilfield share the road with everyone else. Truck cases depend on records that can be lost in the ordinary course of business, such as driver logs, maintenance files and onboard data. If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial truck in Midland-Odessa, the Midland-Odessa truck accident case review is the place to start.
Deadlines
For most personal injury and wrongful death claims, the Texas limitations period is two years under Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Records from a well site or a truck can disappear much sooner, so it is worth asking early.
How a Texas case is handled
Texas matters are likely to be referred to Webster Vicknair MacLeod, Houston. Binder attorneys are licensed in New York, not in Texas. Ryan MacLeod, Houston, Texas is responsible for the content of this ad.
No attorney fee unless we recover. Clients may be responsible for court costs.
For a free case review, call the Texas line at (346) 552-7596 or use the Midland-Odessa case review form. Calls are answered 24/7, in English or Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
What is a non-subscriber employer in Texas?
Texas is the one state where workers' compensation is optional for most private employers. An employer that does not carry it is called a non-subscriber. Under Texas Labor Code section 406.033, a non-subscribing employer sued by an injured employee cannot rely on the defenses that the employee was contributorily negligent, assumed the risk, or was hurt by a fellow employee's negligence.
Can a company other than my employer be responsible for an oilfield accident?
Depending on the facts, yes. A well site often has an operator, a drilling contractor, service companies and trucking contractors working side by side, and a company that controlled an unsafe condition may be responsible even if it was not your employer.
How long do I have to bring an oilfield injury claim in Texas?
For most personal injury and wrongful death claims, the Texas limitations period is two years under Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Records from a well site or a truck can disappear much sooner, so it is worth asking early.
