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The oilfield accident & injury lawyers at Sutliff & Stout have successfully litigated most oilfield injury lawsuits. We have helped our clients get treated fairly and have held at-fault companies responsible for their actions.
If you’ve been injured, it’s imperative that you contact an experienced Texas oilfield attorney today. Our consultations are free. Call us, and we will begin working on your case immediately.
The United States has become one of the largest producers of oil in the world, and much of that oil production happens right here in Texas.
Thousands of Texans earn their living working these oil fields.
Yet some companies don’t employ basic safety standards, fully train workers, and most don’t take responsibility when things go wrong.
This has contributed to a disturbing statistic showing that oilfield workers are 7 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than in other professions.
The following types of accidents frequently occur as a result of dangerous working conditions in the oil and gas industry:
Workers who suffer any of these injuries may be entitled to compensation from their employer or other responsible parties. An oil field accident lawyer can help determine who is responsible for your injuries and how much compensation you deserve.
We bring each client a combination of deep industry knowledge and expert perspectives from other industries on the challenge at stake
Oil Field Injury Case Settlement
Sutliff & Stout was retained to help a worker who was injured when the trailer upon which he was leaning was struck by an 18-wheeler. The client sustained injuries to his neck and lower back. Defendants argued that the impact was not sufficient to cause the client’s injuries. After investing over $89,000.00 in the case and preparing it for trial, we were able to obtain a net recovery to the client of $861,005.00 in addition to the payment of over $144,480.98 in medical expenses.
Settlement on behalf of Oil Field Rough Neck
Client injured his knee when a section of casing was rolled into his leg. The client required a full knee replacement due to the already poor condition of his knee. Defendants argued that the client’s prior knee problems were the cause of his problems. Through various depositions and other efforts, we were able to demonstrate that the client’s problems stemmed from the collision and that his prior problems were not related. Through our efforts we were able to achieve a significant settlement that netted the client $822,394.00, as well as the payment of over $48,000.00 in medical expenses.
As soon as the injury occurs, you should report it to a supervisor and ask to seek immediate medical treatment.
If your employer’s insurance company gives you a hard time about treatment, you can recruit the aid of a personal injury attorney who is familiar with oilfield injury cases.
Generally speaking, you can also pursue damages against the company that injured you when they are shown to have been negligent. There are some exceptions to this rule so we suggest you contact a qualified oilfield injury lawyer in Texas to evaluate your particular situation.
If the at-fault company is using outdated equipment, subcontracting jobs to unskilled workers, or have failed to implement basic workplace safety standards, then you may be able to hold them responsible for your injuries.
In addition, there may be another party who is responsible. For instance, the manufacturer of the machinery that your company uses may have created a defective product. In that case, you can sue the company that manufactured your company’s equipment.
I was in a terrible car wreck, one that could have ruined me considering today’s economy. After searching far and wide, I finally found Sutliff & Stout. Their character and high morals were exemplified in my legal representation against huge power company. Through their expertise, I received proper medical care plus the money I needed to pay for future medical treatment and secure my financial future.
Most lawyers will take cases for the money. Sutliff & Stout took an interest in me as a person and not just dollar sign. If you want attorneys who will do their best, and go the extra mile, Sutliff & Stout are perfect for you. They took care of everything after my personnel basket transfer accident, and their efforts made sure that my family would be taken care of in the future.
When I met Hank and Graham of Sutliff & Stout, I felt like I was talking to old friends. We met, discussed my case and they were off and running. After promptly filing a lawsuit on my behalf, they even helped find a good doctor for me. Sutliff & Stout were very interested in getting the justice I deserved. They were also very attentive to any questions or theories I had.
Sutliff & Stout immediately started working on my case and resolved it as soon as they could, because they understood I had been through enough after the death of my husband. Although a number of lawyers refused to help me because of the risk and cost involved in my case, Sutliff & Stout boldly took on my case and obtained a settlement that secured my economic future and, thereby, lessening the load on my shoulders after the accident. Where the other lawyers turned their backs, Sutliff & Stout fought to make my situation a bit more bearable.
Having never been in a car accident before, I assumed the insurance company for the 18-wheeler would take care of everything, and do so honestly. I was wrong. The insurance company refused to help me with my medical bills and wouldn’t treat me fairly. That’s when I contacted Sutliff & Stout. Thankfully, they stepped into the picture and made sure that I was treated fairly and with respect. These guys are tireless and fierce advocates for their clients. Sutliff & Stout provided clear explanations at every step, outlined my options, and carried out any decision I made. I was very fortunate to have found this firm.
I had an accident with an 18-wheeler. All I wanted was for my medical bills to be taken care of but the company would not help. Sutliff & Stout came to my house, sat down with me and discussed my options. I liked them immediately. I’d never been involved in an accident with a vehicle that massive before. It was scary, and I didn’t know what to do. Sutliff & Stout were there for me, and they helped me map a strategy to achieve all of my goals. I highly recommend Sutliff & Stout for any legal matters you may have.
My daughter and I sustained a significant loss due to a defective tire. I didn’t know where to turn to, until I found Sutliff & Stout. Sutliff & Stout were very knowledgeable about the law as it pertained to my case. They were definitely client driven, understanding, and aggressive. Sutliff & Stout made sure that I was always informed and up to speed on any of my case developments and I was never out of the loop on any aspect of my case.
When I was rear-ended by a commercial truck, I needed an aggressive attorney to pursue the trucking company responsible for putting the driver on the road. Sutliff & Stout cared about me enough to help me find quality medical assistance for my neck injury. I would recommend their services to anyone in need of help.
Despite all of my prior medical problems, Sutliff & Stout still managed to win me the compensation necessary to treat all my injuries. After my accident, I was able to recover my lost wages and received a great amount of compensation for my losses. I have easily recommended Sutliff & Stout to my family and friends a number of times, and highly recommend them to you as well. Thanks again.
I suffered a neck injury that kept me out of work for a long time. The good news was that I didn’t have any bills afterwards; even my hospital and my ambulance bills were paid for after my accident. The insurance company settled once Sutliff & Stout boldly showed them we were prepared to try the case. I will always go to Sutliff & Stout.
I never thought I would be in a situation where I needed an attorney. I actually never thought I would be in a dredging accident. I found Sutliff & Stout through a friend and I turned everything over to them. They walked me through all the steps, and I asked loads of questions, but they were patient, and always made sure I understood everything. I am really happy that I chose such a good law firm to help me.
When ten different attorneys gave me the cold shoulder, Sutliff & Stout warmly accepted me and my case. When I thought there was no hope for me, Hank and Graham worked extremely hard, for a very long time, in order to put me in a position to convince the city to settle. Without Sutliff & Stout, I would not have been treated fairly and would have significant debts as a result of the collision.
I cannot thank Sutliff & Stout enough for the way they handled my case in a very professional yet caring manner. They treated me more as a friend than as a client. Their endearing ways in dealing with clients show how much they genuinely care. They resolved my case as soon as possible because they didn’t want me to go through any further hardship after already losing my daughter. In my time of need, Sutliff & Stout was there for me.
The Sutliff & Stout Law Firm helped me when I needed it the most with true professionalism and courtesy. After my child was injured at a daycare, Sutliff & Stout helped me make the best decisions possible. I would definitely recommend Sutliff & Stout to anyone that needs legal assistance. I wouldn’t even dare think of calling any other attorney.
I felt slighted and demoralized after a former associate of mine breached an agreement we made. Maybe the person thought I would just give in, but I didn’t. Sutliff & Stout helped me fight back. Their aggressiveness and hard work pushed the defendant to finally pay the rightful amount before we even went to trial. It’s nice to know there are attorneys out there like Sutliff & Stout that will fight for me.
Our company received the short end of a very bad business deal. Things were looking bleak financially. We’d never been part of a business deal that had gone so bad. When we met Sutliff & Stout, our worries were put to rest. Their commitment and prioritization produced a $850,000 settlement on our behalf. Things are back to normal, and we are financially secure again thanks to the hard work and know how of Sutliff & Stout. We’ll never have to search around for lawyers again, we found our guys.
The general rule of thumb is that the more serious your injuries are, the greater the need for a personal injury lawyer. The claims process is not easy.
It should be, but most companies desire to put profit over the person causes unnecessary red tape and unfair treatment to those who do not have the proper representation.Furthermore, insurance companies are for-profit entities. Every claim against their policy eats into their profit margin. They are incentivized to try to pay as little as possible on your claim.
How does this happen? There are a number of different ways an insurance company can avoid paying out on a claim.
Often, they will try to say that the accident was your fault or the fault of someone else. They can do this because, at this point, they’re holding all the cards. They have the money and you need them to honor your claim. Even when your employer or their insurance company conducts an investigation into the accident, they have been known to suppress evidence that indicates their own fault or responsibility.Your recourse in this matter is an attorney who is advocating for your interests. If you hire the right attorney, he or she will conduct an independent investigation and gather evidence to hold the proper party responsible.
One reason the insurance company wants to blame you for the accident is that Texas applies a comparative fault state. Comparative fault or comparative negligence is when the jury is asked to determine who all is to blame for an accident that results in an injury. In Texas, if the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault then he or she gets nothing. The entire battle is thus over where the blame lies – with you or with the company.
There are many types of accidents that occur in the industry and, in most instances, an injured worker has the right to be compensated for his or her injuries and resulting damages. The following are some of the more common types of accidents that we deal with at Sutliff & Stout:
On any drilling site, workers are required to operate dangerous heavy equipment whether they are drilling, pulling pipe, mixing mud or performing one of the many other jobs required of them. Sometimes this equipment fails causing significant injuries.
These failures happen for a number of reasons, including improperly trained or inexperienced hands, mechanical failures caused by overstress, inadequate maintenance, or careless safety inspections. Sometimes, failures result from a design or manufacturing defect.
The law requires that heavy machinery on job sites be safe for workers to use and that such equipment be properly maintained to prevent accidents. Also, workers who are required to operate heavy machinery should receive adequate operational training and safety training so as not to put others at risk.
If you were injured by a heavy equipment failure, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries in addition to any worker’s compensation benefits you receive through the insurance claim process.
Depending on the nature and cause of your accident, you might be able to recover money from a third party, such as the company that designed and manufactured the heavy equipment.
Oil and gas industry workers must deal with the risk of fire or explosion at work sites. Wells, trucks, tanks, and other heavy production equipment can release flammable gases and vapors that can be ignited by open flames, static electricity, friction, or other heat or electrical sources.
Pressure buildup is also a significant area of concern for anyone working in and around a well site location. A fire or explosion at an oil field can cause serious injuries to workers and may even be fatal. If you were injured as a result of a fire or explosion, you may have a claim for damages against the person or company responsible.
A good blowout is the uncontrolled release of crude oil or natural gas during drilling. These blowouts are typically the result of failures in pressure control systems in wells. Even though modern oil wells contain blowout preventers designed to reduce the risk of a blowout, these accidents still occur. During a blowout, an accidental spark or contact with an ignition source can lead to a catastrophic oil or gas fire.
If you were injured at an oil or gas extraction site due to a good blowout, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Investigations into these complex accidents can take several years, and workers injured in a good blowout often face long delays in being compensated.
A lawyer can help you identify who is responsible for a good blowout and can help you obtain monetary damages for your injuries and other losses associated with your accident.
Hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking” as it is commonly known) has reinvigorated the US oil and gas industry and has produced billions of dollars in revenue for Texas oil companies. But fracking, which involves the high-pressure injection of water or a fluid mixture into a borehole to create cracks in deep-rock formations through which gas or petroleum can flow, is inherently dangerous.
Serious accidents and chemical spills at fracking sites are becoming more commonplace, and workers often suffer devastating injuries as a result of these accidents.
Oil and gas workers are often injured as a result of truck and vehicle accidents at or near work sites. Single-car overturns, collisions with other work site vehicles, and collisions with stationary objects, like heavy equipment, are common causes of injuries to oil and gas workers.
A number of factors may contribute to vehicle accidents at a drilling site, including poor driving conditions, driver fatigue, drug and alcohol use, and improperly maintained vehicles.
Accidents involving cars, trucks, or other vehicles at an oil or gas extraction site present a number of challenging legal questions. It can be difficult to determine who is responsible for the accident and whose insurance company should be responsible for paying for any injuries as a result of the accident.
There are additional questions about the role of worker’s compensation insurance and whether negligence or recklessness played a part in the accident. An oil field accident lawyer can help you address these questions after a truck or vehicle accident at a job site, and can help you determine what your legal options are.
Injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls are common in the oil fields and at other oil and gas extraction sites. Oil field workers are often forced to work long hours in challenging outdoor environments, which increases the chances of a slip or a trip.
Moreover, many petroleum and gas extraction workers are required to access platforms and equipment that are located high above the ground. Although employers are required under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations to ensure that walking surfaces are safe and to prevent falls from elevated equipment, slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of serious and fatal workplace injuries and deaths.
If you have suffered a slip, trip, or fall at an oil or gas extraction site, an experienced workplace accident lawyer can help determine whether your employer may have failed to take adequate precautions to prevent your injuries.
Workers are often required to enter confined spaces, such as storage containers and storage tanks. There are a number of workplace safety hazards associated with confined areas, such as asphyxiation, crushing accidents, exposure to dangerous levels of hazardous chemicals, and ignition of flammable vapors or gases.
Without proper training, equipment, and procedures in place, oil field workers can get seriously injured in confined spaces at job sites. In some cases, your employer may be required to obtain a written permit to require work in a confined space and comply with guidelines established by OSHA, the federal agency responsible for ensuring safe workplaces for Americans.
Our injury attorneys have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients over our 15-year history. See sample case results.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover money. Learn more about our no-fee unless-you-win policy.
Since starting our firm in 2007 we’ve served thousands of Texas clients and we’ve received hundreds of positive online reviews and client testimonials.
We care about making a positive impact beyond the courtroom. Check out our free holiday rides and our annual scholarship contest.
The statute of limitations in Texas for personal injury claims is two years. Logistically, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
It keeps everything fresh in your mind and gives those who might have reason to lie or bury evidence less time to get their stories straight.
Injury settlements in oilfield accidents tend to be large. Workers end up with severe permanent scarring from burns, amputated limbs, paralysis, and a spine-related injuries. These injuries can make it difficult for you to return to work.
In other words, you can lose your ability to support yourself and your family. The stakes are incredibly high for you.
They are also high for your employer and their insurance company. The insurance company stands to potentially lose a large sum of money and your company exposes itself to other lawsuits, higher insurance costs, and potential liability should they be found negligent.
This is one of the many reasons the company’s own internal investigation cannot always be trusted. They will attempt to lay the blame at your feet.
Some of the most common offshore and onshore oilfield injuries include:
The vast majority of injuries that occur are easily prevented by implementing basic safety standards and adequately training employees. In the majority of cases, when something goes wrong it’s because the oil company did not adequately devote resources to ensure workplace safety.
You do. The reason for that is that oilfield workers work in a highly specialized industry and there could very easily be several liable parties. On top of that, oilfield companies will conduct internal investigations but those cannot be relied upon to be accurate. An independent third-party evaluation is absolutely crucial to determining the cause of your oilfield accident.
We have seen many cases in which oilfield companies have buried evidence of wrongdoing and maliciously blamed employees for accidents they were not responsible for. We will conduct our own investigation, determine what we believe occurred and bring claims against those responsible for your injuries.
FEATURED CASE RESULT
Settlement on behalf of Oil Field Rough Neck
Our client injured his knee when a section of casing was rolled into his leg. The client required a full knee replacement due to the already poor condition of his knee. Defendants argued that the client’s prior knee problems were the cause of his problems. Through various depositions and other efforts, we were able to demonstrate that the client’s problems stemmed from the collision and that his prior problems were not related. Through our efforts we were able to achieve a significant settlement that netted the client $822,394.00, as well as the payment of over $48,000.00 in medical expenses.
See more examples of results we’ve achieved for our clients…
There are a number of reasons why oilfield workers are 7 times more likely to die on the job than other workers. The same reasons account for the high volume of employees who are injured on the job. These include:
In our practice, we’ve seen a number of clients who have been injured in all of the following oilfield or offshore accidents:
In addition, oilfield workers are at increased risk for other mundane workplace accidents including:
The answer to this question depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. Most cases can be resolved or tried within a year or year and a half of when you decide to hire a lawyer. Some cases take longer because the client has extensive injuries or the nature of the incident is more complex.
While you want to move quickly, it is important not to rush the process. If you were injured, this will be your only opportunity to be compensated so it is important to fully understand the nature of your injuries and how those injuries will affect you down the road.
There are a number of complexities when determining legal responsibility in an oilfield accident.
First, if your employer or co-worker is a fault for the injury, you must determine if you are covered by workers’ compensation. If not, are you subject to a company plan that requires arbitration. This area of the law is quickly changing as companies seek out other ways to increase their profit margins so be sure to find a lawyer that understands the complexity of your particular claim.
In some instances, neither you nor your employer is responsible for your injuries. It could be the result of defective machinery or some other third party. In this case, you can file a third-party claim against the negligent party.
The best way to determine if you have a case is to contact an oilfield injury attorney. Even when your company honors your workers’ compensation claim, you may have cause to bring a claim against some other third party that caused or contributed to your injuries.
If your company does not have workers’ compensation insurance then, in some instances, you can also initiate a lawsuit against your employer to recover damages. In addition, if the faulty design of equipment that your company was using is responsible for your injuries, you can assert a product defect claim against the company that manufactured the product.
It remains true, however, that your best course of action is to talk to an oilfield injury attorney. At Sutliff & Stout, our consultations are free and we work on contingency. That means we don’t charge you attorney fees unless we win.
(713) 405-1263 
550 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 530