The Eagle Ford Shale sits right in our backyard. Oilfield work powers the Coastal Bend economy — and it injures and kills more workers than almost any other job in Texas.
If you were hurt at a well site, drilling pad, or anywhere in the field, you have rights. The Burkett Law Firm has fought for injured South Texas workers since 1960. Get a free case review or call 361-738-5548. Injured offshore instead? See our offshore oil rig accident page.
219 Texas oilfield worker deaths from 2018–2023 — the most of any state in the nation | 14.2 Oil and gas worker deaths per 100,000 — nearly 4× the all-industry average (3.7) | #1 Vehicle incidents are the leading cause of oilfield worker deaths |
Sources: NIOSH Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) | ||
Common Oilfield Accidents in the Eagle Ford
Behind almost every oilfield accident is a broken safety rule. OSHA standards, company policies, and industry practices exist to keep workers alive. When production pressure wins out over those rules, injuries follow — and the company that made that trade-off should answer for it.
- Vehicle crashes. Long drives on rural roads after long shifts. Crashes with heavy trucks hauling equipment, sand, and crude are the top killer of oilfield workers.
- Struck-by and caught-between accidents. Pipes, tongs, and moving machinery.
- Explosions and well blowouts.
- Falls from derricks, platforms, and tanks.
- Toxic exposure to H2S gas and chemicals.
- Equipment failures from poor maintenance or defective parts.
Serious Injuries, Serious Cases
Oilfield accidents often cause catastrophic harm, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns, crush injuries, and amputations
- Fatal injuries — our wrongful death lawyers help families seek justice
Who Is Liable for an Oilfield Accident?
Well sites are crowded with companies: operators, drilling contractors, service companies, and trucking firms. More than one may share fault. Potential claims include:
- Third-party negligence claims against companies other than your employer
- Non-subscriber claims against Texas employers who opted out of workers’ comp
- Product liability claims against makers of defective equipment
- Trucking claims after crashes with oilfield haulers
Sorting this out fast matters. Evidence at a well site can vanish within days. Contracts between operators and contractors often hide indemnity clauses that shift responsibility — and insurance money — between companies. We read every one of them, because the right defendant is often the one nobody mentions at the scene.
★★★★★ “David Burkett is an excellent person and Lawyer. Well connected and sincere, if you can get him as your attorney, you will be more than happy.” — Joe, Burkett Law Firm client
What Your Oilfield Injury Claim May Be Worth
- All medical bills, current and future
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Disfigurement and impairment
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Our firm has recovered more than $80 million for injured clients — including $5,750,000 in a company vehicle rollover case. See more client reviews and results.
Why Eagle Ford Oilfield Work Is So Dangerous
The Eagle Ford Shale stretches across the counties just north and west of Corpus Christi. Production here creates a specific mix of hazards:
- Rural two-lane roads shared by heavy haulers, sand trucks, and worker crews — often at night
- Long shifts and long commutes that lead to fatigue behind the wheel
- Contractor-heavy sites where no single company takes ownership of safety
- Production pressure that pushes crews to skip lockout, guarding, and inspection steps
These are the exact conditions behind the vehicle crashes and struck-by accidents that lead oilfield fatality statistics. When a company’s choices create the danger, the company should pay for the harm.
What to Do After an Oilfield Accident
- Report the injury to your supervisor and insist it is documented.
- See your own doctor, not only the company clinic.
- Photograph the site, equipment, and your injuries if you safely can.
- Collect witness names — oilfield crews scatter to new sites quickly.
- Keep your gear. Damaged PPE and tools can prove what failed.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing anything. The review is free.
Oilfield Trucking Accidents: A Special Kind of Case
Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of oilfield workers — and they injure plenty of ordinary drivers too. Sand haulers, water trucks, and crude tankers pound the roads between Corpus Christi and the Eagle Ford every day.
These cases blend truck accident law with oilfield liability. Key questions include:
- Was the driver over federal hours-of-service limits?
- Was the load properly secured and within weight limits?
- Did the company pressure drivers to speed between sites?
- Who actually employed the driver — the operator, a contractor, or a staffing firm?
The answers determine which companies pay, and how much. We know where to look, because we handle both truck and oilfield cases every year.
Oilfield Accident FAQs
My employer does not carry workers’ comp. What now?
Texas does not require it. If your employer is a “non-subscriber,” you can sue them directly for negligence — and they lose key defenses. This can be a strong claim.
The company offered a quick settlement. Should I take it?
Not before a lawyer values your case. Quick offers rarely cover future medical care or lost earning power. Our review is free.
How long do I have to file in Texas?
Generally two years from the injury date. But investigate now — site conditions and records change fast.
Can I sue if I was exposed to H2S or toxic chemicals?
Yes. Hydrogen sulfide and chemical exposure cases are real injury claims, even when symptoms appear gradually. Monitoring failures and missing respirators are common — and provable.
What if the company pressures me to use only their doctor?
Get checked, but do not stop there. You have the right to your own doctor. Company clinics often minimize injuries to limit claims. Independent medical records protect you.
Talk to a Corpus Christi Oilfield Injury Lawyer
You worked hard for the oil patch. Now let our trial lawyers work hard for you. Call 361-738-5548 or schedule a free consultation with our personal injury team today.
