Oilfields are some of the most dangerous workplaces in Texas. Heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and high-pressure equipment all pose risks to workers who keep America’s energy moving forward. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an oilfield accident in Sugar Land, TX, you may be dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and time away from work. You deserve to know your legal options.
At The Crash Team, we have 35 years of combined experience and have recovered over $20 million on behalf of injured clients. Our Sugar Land oilfield accident lawyers understand Texas law and have the skills to hold negligent parties accountable. When you work on an oilfield, you shouldn’t have to pay the price alone if someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries. We’ll fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact our law office today at 832-800-8000 to schedule a free consultation.
How The Crash Team Can Help With Your Oilfield Accident Claim in Sugar Land, Texas
Suffering an oilfield injury in Sugar Land, Texas is a major setback that can affect your health, finances, and family. You might face long hospital stays, expensive rehabilitation, or even permanent disability. The oil company’s insurance adjusters may seem friendly but are likely focused on minimizing payouts. That’s why having an experienced attorney on your side can be critical.
When you hire The Crash Team to represent you after an oilfield accident, our Sugar Land personal injury lawyers can:
- Investigate the circumstances of your accident
- Identify the responsible parties
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Communicate and negotiate with insurers
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if necessary
Our contingency fee arrangement means you won’t pay us unless we win compensation for you. Let us take on the complex legal work so that you can focus on healing. Contact our oilfield accident attorneys today for a free case review.
What Are Common Causes of Oilfield Accidents in Texas?
Oilfields are inherently hazardous, but that doesn’t give employers or contractors a free pass to ignore safety protocols. Injuries often happen because someone failed to follow industry standards or cut corners to increase production.
Some of the most common causes of oilfield accidents in Texas include:
- Poor training procedures
- Defective equipment
- Slips and falls
- Fires and explosions
- Transportation accidents
- Lack of safety gear
- Neglected maintenance
Recognizing these common causes can help us identify where negligence happened. Whether the fault lies with an employer, equipment maker, or another third party, we’ll use the evidence to build a strong case.
Your Rights Under Texas Law: Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims
In Texas, private employers aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer does have workers’ comp, you may be entitled to certain benefits (like medical bills and a portion of lost wages) regardless of who caused the accident. If your employer opts out of workers’ comp, known as a “non-subscriber,” you may have to sue them directly for damages if they bear responsibility for your injuries.
Even if your employer has workers’ compensation, there are situations when filing a personal injury lawsuit is another option. For example, if a defective product caused your accident or if a third-party contractor’s negligence led to your injuries, you might recover compensation beyond what workers’ compensation typically provides. This could include full lost earnings, pain and suffering, and more.
Deciding whether to file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit can be complicated. Our Sugar Land oilfield accident lawyers can carefully evaluate your case, explain how Texas law applies to your situation, and help you choose the best path forward.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Sugar Land Oilfield Accident Attorney?
Most personal injury and workplace accident lawyers in Texas, including our team at The Crash Team, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for you.
Our fees come as a percentage of your financial award, so our interests align with yours: We only get paid when you do and are motivated to recover the full amount possible. We’ll explain all fee arrangements in writing before we start working on your claim. You’ll know exactly what to expect, with no hidden costs or surprises.
What Are Common Injuries in Sugar Land Oilfield Accidents?
Due to the heavy machinery and dangerous conditions, oilfield accidents often lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Electrocution
- Catastrophic injuries
- Paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Beyond physical harm, oilfield accidents can leave you coping with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health challenges. Our lawyers understand these struggles and factor both physical and emotional harm into your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Oilfield Accident in Sugar Land?
In a personal injury lawsuit, Texas law usually lets you seek two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover tangible financial losses, while non-economic damages compensate for the subjective impact of your injuries.
- Economic Damages: These include past and future medical costs, ongoing rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, property damage, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries keep you from returning to the same type of work.
- Non-Economic Damages: This category covers losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement. These can be harder to calculate but are often critical to a fair settlement.
In rare cases, punitive damages might be available if the at-fault party showed extreme recklessness or malice. These damages aim to punish the responsible party rather than compensate you for a specific cost. Our team will carefully analyze your claim to determine all the damages you may be entitled to, ensuring no stone goes unturned.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Oilfield Accident in Texas?
If you are eligible to file a workers’ comp claim, you can generally do so no matter whose fault the accident was (though there are exceptions).
Regarding any personal injury claims, Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which can affect your claim if the other side accuses you of contributing to your own injuries. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, any award you receive will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
For instance, if a court finds you 30% responsible for the accident, your total damages will be reduced by 30%. If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you won’t recover anything. Insurance companies and employers often try to shift fault onto workers to avoid liability. Our attorneys will gather evidence, consult experts, and develop a compelling argument to defend your interests.
How Much Is My Oilfield Accident Claim Worth?
It’s hard to assign an exact value to any personal injury claim without looking at all the details. Each case has a unique value based on its facts and circumstances.
The worth of an oilfield accident case depends on factors such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you can return to work
- The strength of your supporting evidence
- Your age at the time of the accident
- Your level of fault (if any)
- Insurance policy terms and limits, if applicable
- The availability of multiple liable parties
During your free consultation, our lawyers can review your specific details, estimate the potential value of your claim, and provide an informed opinion about what you can expect. We’re committed to pursuing the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How Much Time Do I Have To File an Oilfield Accident Claim in Texas?
If you are eligible for benefits under workers’ compensation, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the accident – and the deadline to file your claim is one year. To file a personal injury lawsuit, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to do so.
Missing these deadlines (if applicable) likely means you lose your right to pursue compensation. Certain exceptions might apply—such as if the victim is a minor or if there’s a delay in discovering an injury—but these are not common.
To protect your legal options, it’s wise to speak with an attorney as soon as you can after an oilfield accident. That way, critical evidence won’t vanish, witnesses’ memories will be fresher, and you’ll have time to build a strong case before any deadlines expire.
Contact Our Sugar Land Oilfield Accident Attorneys Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
An oilfield accident can leave you facing serious injuries, steep medical bills, and lost income. You shouldn’t have to bear these burdens alone if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. The Crash Team has spent decades helping hardworking Texans stand up for their rights. With 35 years of combined experience and over $20 million recovered, we know how to take on powerful oil companies, equipment manufacturers, and other liable parties.
We’re ready to investigate your accident, gather the evidence you need, and build a strong case on your behalf. To learn more, contact our Sugar Land oilfield accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.