Some of the Biggest Victories Against the Oil & Gas Industry
Oil and gas companies are some of the most well-defended companies in the world. Their resources for litigation are virtually endless, with an army of highly skilled lawyers whose chief job is shielding the company from liability.
Yet our firm has been able to beat them again and again:
- $209 million verdict for the family of an oilfield worker who contracted a fatal virus.
- $139 million settlement secured a week before trial due to intensive preparation.
- $72 million settlement for a worker who lost his arm in an oilfield accident.
- $36.5 million settlement for a Texas oilfield worker after intensive trial preparation.
There's one reason we're able to consistently take down bigger, stronger, and more richly resourced defendants in court: we hold nothing back. Our firm prepares every case for trial to give plaintiffs their best shot at winning. As a result, our team has seen the inside of a courtroom more than most attorneys do in a lifetime.
Taking on Cases Against Large Companies in the Oil & Gas Industry
For an injured oilfield worker, the thought of taking on their employer may seem overwhelming or impossible. But the truth is that Arnold & Itkin has beaten the biggest names in the oil and gas industry. While our firm can be outspent or outnumbered, we've never been outworked. It's our willingness to put enormous time, effort, and attention into each case that's made us the premier advocate in Dallas for oilfield workers nationwide.
Our Dallas oilfield accident attorneys handle cases against companies such as the following:
Taking on leading oil companies is how our firm earned a reputation for aggressive, effective advocacy. It's the approach that secured $20+ billion for plaintiffs, and it's an approach we continue to use today.
We've recently filed numerous oilfield-related claims for injured plaintiffs, including:
With such dangerous jobs, injuries are often dire and life-changing. It's our duty to make sure each of them gets the best possible chance at justice from the companies responsible. Each of these claims represents a person's life—that's the reality that keeps us working relentlessly on behalf of the injured and wronged.
Why Oilfield Accidents Are Serious
The toxic and explosive nature of oil and gas is what makes oilfield accidents so serious. Often, even the slightest issue can trigger an accident that has devastating consequences for workers. Those who survive an oilfield accident often have lasting injuries because of toxic exposure and explosions. Often, these injuries are serious enough to be considered catastrophic—a term that means a person's quality of life has been permanently altered.
Injuries often sustained during oilfield accidents include:
Oilfield accidents contribute significantly to industry safety concerns due to complex drilling operations, hazardous materials, and high-pressure environments. Each incident requires thorough investigation, not just for accountability but to enhance future safety standards. Employers are mandated to implement preventive safety measures, including regular equipment checks and safety drills, but compliance is inconsistent at best. For instance, inadequate safety gear and improper hazard communication can elevate risk levels. These issues, left unmanaged, can culminate in catastrophic events, emphasizing the need for vigilance and responsive legal recourse.
Oilfield accidents are often deadly, and families of deceased workers deserve answers from those responsible. Our Dallas oilfield injury law firm fights for justice on behalf of families grieving from a wrongful death in the oilfields.
Understanding Dallas Oilfield Regulations
Dallas oilfield operations have to follow a web of federal and state rules aimed at protecting employees and the environment, yet meaningful enforcement often lags behind. The Texas Railroad Commission oversees drilling and production standards, while OSHA zeroes in on workplace conditions and equipment safety. Together, these agencies create guidelines that, if followed, should keep workers out of harm’s way. However, in our experience, gaps in oversight and willful neglect still allow preventable accidents to occur—leading to devastating injuries, lost wages, and serious risks for local communities.
For people working in Dallas oilfields, knowing your rights isn’t just a good idea—it’s a safeguard against the negligence and wrongdoing that may threaten your safety. Texas mandates the use of protective gear and rigorous training for handling heavy machinery and hazardous chemicals. When companies cut corners—skipping inspections, ignoring safety measures, or failing to maintain critical equipment—they’re gambling with lives. Understanding these regulations gives you a solid footing to recognize dangerous practices and, with the guidance of a skilled oilfield accident attorney, hold responsible parties accountable.
All crews involved in Texas oil and gas extraction operations deserve to work in environments where safety is a guaranteed priority, not an afterthought.
What Causes Injury to Oilfield Workers in Dallas
So what are the actual factors that lead to an oilfield injury? The nature of the work is a major factor. Moving machinery, volatile gases, and grueling manual labor contribute to oilfield accidents.
Oilfields represent inherently hazardous workplaces where oversight can be the difference between a routine day and a tragic event. The complexity of operations often means that machinery can malfunction, or negligence can lead to serious repercussions. Regular training and stringent safety checks are crucial, yet pressures to meet production deadlines sometimes lead to companies taking dangerous shortcuts.
Oilfield workers deal with many hazards on a daily basis:
- Equipment failure
- Fire and explosion risk
- Well blowouts
- Fracking accidents
- Falling from a height
- Exhaustion
Below, we dive into the specific dangers of working on an oil rig, the health impact of explosions and fires, and other serious oilfield hazards. We'll start with the most critical part of oilfield operations: the land rig.
Dangers at the Derricks: Why Land Rig Accidents Happen
There's always been inherent risk to oil and gas extraction.
Malfunctions in extraction equipment can trigger explosions. Transporting substances within pipelines and trucks can prove just as dangerous. Fracking exposes workers to dangerous levels of benzene—a colorless gas that damages the nervous system, kidney, liver, and immune system. Even cleaning storage tanks comes with serious risks: workers doing routine cleaning have asphyxiated when tanks weren't properly emptied of dangerous gases.
But the leading source of severe injuries on land rigs? Machinery.
A derrick is an astoundingly complex machine, with pumps, chains, and drill bits always in motion. When you combine long hours with complex machinery and high-risk procedures, it's no surprise that workers suffer serious harm. OSHA data found that 1 in 3 serious injuries in the oil and gas industry involved the hands. They also found that oil and gas workers suffer from amputations, eye injuries, and hospitalizations more than workers in any other sector.
According to Marketplace, the risk of oilfield injuries is not surprising to experts. “We've known for quite a few years that it's a high hazard industry,” said Kyla Retzer, an epidemiologist with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health who focuses on safety and health in oil and gas extraction.
In addition to the machinery, environmental conditions can also play a significant role in land rig accidents. Weather patterns such as high winds or thunderstorms can make rig operations precarious. Moreover, the remote locations of many rigs complicate emergency response efforts, potentially delaying critical medical attention following an incident. These variables contribute to the urgency for stringent safety measures, including proper training for all personnel and comprehensive risk assessments before commencing operations.
But some inherent risk doesn't mean workers ought to endure all risks.
All employers are responsible for creating a safe workplace by mitigating risks. To prevent accidents, there are strict rules entitling derrick workers to proper protective gear and safety training. Unfortunately, companies regularly disregard workplace safety regulations, resulting in burn injuries, expensive medical bills, or even death.
A key issue is that companies typically hire contractors to operate these wells. Contractors don't get mandated safety training and protocols created for each job site. As a result, many people operating these rigs are at extreme risk; hand injuries among subcontractors made up 1 in 4 of all serious injuries in the oil and gas industry.
When our Dallas land rig explosion lawyers investigate an incident, we often contend with multiple defendants—none of whom take responsibility for what happened. Fortunately for our clients, we've overcome this issue many times before.
Driving While Exhausted: A Common Cause of Dallas Oilfield Injuries
However, as dangerous as the derrick may be, an enormous portion of oilfield casualties are the result of car accidents. CDC data shows that 40% of work-related injuries in oil and gas extraction are from transportation accidents. Transportation includes both commercial vehicles traveling to and from the oilfields as well as employees commuting.
Oilfields are typically located in remote areas, so vehicle crashes are an existential problem for oil and gas workers.
When an oil boom occurs, such as the one in the Permian Basin, small country roads become dangerous. Roads designed for light use are suddenly covered with hundreds of large trucks and thousands of vehicles transporting workers to the oilfields.
Along with increased traffic, oilfield workers face heightened risk from driver fatigue. Long shifts and commutes deprive workers of adequate sleep, impairing reaction time and alertness. Falling asleep at the wheel is a common problem and, each year, tragic accidents claim multiple lives because an exhausted driver falls asleep at the wheel.
Some parts of the U.S. have residents referring to their local highways as “Death Highways,” and they attribute this grim title to the sudden influx of vehicles caused by oil and gas extraction.
The correlation between fatigue and accidents is well-documented in safety studies, highlighting the critical need for regulated driving hours and rest periods for workers. Corporations are encouraged to provide shuttle services or on-site lodging to minimize the risks associated with long commutes and driver exhaustion. Ensuring safer roads not only protects workers but also serves the surrounding communities by reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries.
Potential Dangers Faced by Oilfield Workers in Longview & Dallas
Oilfield engineers and technicians are fully aware that they are in a dangerous line of work and know that they should take extra precautions to prevent accidents. However, accidents are not often caused at their level of operations, but instead by the negligent behavior of supervisors and employers.
Owners and supervisors at Dallas area oilfields may be held liable for:
- Explosions, fires, and exposure to toxic chemicals: Workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals or fuel when these chemicals are not being appropriately secured.
- Falling objects: When employees work at great heights, they're more likely to drop a tool or a piece of equipment on another worker. The tools used by workers at elevated heights should be secured.
- Faulty equipment: Wear and tear of equipment contributes to oilfield injuries. Defective equipment may expose workers to flammable chemicals and cause an explosion. It is the employer's responsibility to schedule routine maintenance to keep machinery working properly.
- Slips and falls: It is an employer's responsibility to warn employees of potential hazards. If workers fall, it may also be due to improper safety measures, like missing guardrails or harnesses.
Dallas Oilfield Explosions & Fires
Anywhere that volatile materials are extracted, used, and stored, you have a heightened risk of explosion or fire.
In oil and gas extraction, there's no shortage of fuel or ignition sources. Flammable gases come from wells, trucks, production equipment, tanks, and more. Welding equipment, friction, electricity, and cigarettes have all been identified as potential ignition sources. Flammable gas has been ignited by static enough times for OSHA to issue a hazard bulletin.
The trauma of an explosion can't be overstated. Our Dallas land rig explosion attorneys are national leaders in workplace explosion litigation, so we've seen firsthand how survivors and families endure heavy burdens from fires and explosions.
Explosions have been known to cause:
Our firm also knows that trying to escape an explosion leads to grievous harm as well. Amid the debris, smoke, fire, and confusion, attempts to run away can lead to broken bones, lacerations, concussions, and more.
After an Oilfield Accident: What You Should Do
Immediately following an oilfield accident, it's crucial to ensure your safety and health first. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor, as some symptoms may not manifest until later. Documenting your injuries is essential for any future legal proceedings. Report the accident to your supervisor right away and ensure an official report is filed. If possible, take photos of the accident site, machinery involved, and any visible injuries. Gathering contact information from witnesses can also bolster your account of the incident.
Additionally, it’s wise to contact an experienced oilfield accident attorney to discuss your rights and legal options. They can help you navigate through the complexities of your situation, ensuring you seek deserved compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Compensation for Injured Oilfield Workers in Dallas
When a Dallas oilfield worker suffers a serious injury, the physical and financial toll can be overwhelming. Medical bills pile up fast, particularly if the injuries demand long-term care or specialized rehabilitation. On top of that, missing work means lost income—not to mention the impact on future earning potential if you can’t perform the same job again. That’s why compensation isn’t just about reimbursing expenses; it’s a way to safeguard an injured worker’s financial well-being and provide a path forward after a life-altering accident.
Injured oilfield workers may be entitled to recover damages that cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and assistive equipment, as well as lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Depending on the circumstances, damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement may also be available. If an employer’s negligence or a third party’s reckless behavior caused the accident, a claim could include punitive damages to hold them fully accountable.
At Arnold & Itkin, we focus on understanding each client’s unique challenges—whether that involves long-term medical treatment, dealing with insurance claims, or ongoing therapy sessions. By investigating the root causes of your accident, we’ll fight to recover every dollar you need to rebuild your life. Our team believes that a fair settlement or verdict is more than a financial award; it’s the stability you deserve while you heal and begin looking toward the future.
All About Dallas Oilfields
Texas produces more than a third of the nation's crude oil. Much of the production is concentrated in North Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Since the 1930s, when petroleum was discovered near Kilgore just east of Dallas, the region has held its status as an oil and gas hub. Located on a portion of the Barnett Shale and near the Eagle Ford Shale and the Haynesville Shale, Dallas County is home to hundreds of oil and gas workers and their families.
H.L. Hunt (1889-1974), an oil tycoon and billionaire, lived in Dallas and contributed to the city's standing as one of the leading oil producers in the United States. Today, some of the biggest players in oil and gas are headquartered in Dallas. This includes Energy Transfer, the HollyFrontier Corporation, Hunt Oil Company, EnLink Midstream, and Merit Energy Company. Oilfields and oilfield service companies in the area include TW Oilfield Services, Purity Oilfield Services, Rix Energy Services, Inflow Petroleum Resources, Moss Petroleum, Rockhound Exploration, DDC Oil and Gas, Goodnight Midstream, Cielo Exploration, Imagery Exploration, and many others.
Dallas is widely recognized as the cultural and commercial hub of North Texas. It is the ninth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of approximately 1.3 million people. Nine Fortune 500 companies call Dallas home, while 22 are located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The initial establishment and growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth area can be attributed to the construction of major railroad lines through the region, allowing for the transportation of cattle, cotton, and oil. Dallas is now home to a major inland port, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and interstate highways that have reaffirmed the city's stance as a key transportation hub.
The dynamic oil industry in Dallas continues to impact the local economy, providing a robust job market that attracts skilled workers from across the country. Given its strategic location near vital shale formations, the city plays a crucial role in driving national energy independence and innovation.
Dallas, TX: Helpful Links & Resources
Oilfield Injury Attorneys Serving Gregg County, Rusk County & Beyond
We represent clients in Dallas, Longview, throughout the state, and nationwide. We provide powerful legal representation to help clients recover the best possible results for their claims. Dallas oilfield accident attorneys at Arnold & Itkin know how difficult it is after an oilfield accident. An accident may appear to be the employee's fault, but in reality, employers cause accidents when they fail to train workers or implement good safety practices.
If you have sustained injuries in an oilfield accident in Longview, Gregg County, Rusk County, or anywhere in the state or country, it is vital to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney from our Dallas personal injury law firm can investigate your incident and help you obtain the best possible results for your claims. We have secured billions of dollars for our clients, setting verdict and settlement records nationwide. We have the resources to help you secure your future.
Contact our Dallas oilfield work accident attorneys today for a free case review at (888) 493-1629!
