Oilfield Injury Lawyers in Texas
Oilfield accidents cause life-altering injuries. If you or someone you love was hurt on the job in Texas or New Mexico, you have legal rights worth fighting for. We take on operators, drilling companies, and their insurers on your behalf.
Oilfield Injury Law Is All We Do in Texas and New Mexico
The oil and gas industry operates under a separate set of federal and state regulations. You need a firm that knows those rules inside and out and knows how to use them in your favor.
An Oilfield Injury Lawyer That Knows What They Are Doing
- Industry-Specific Experience – We understand OSHA standards, API regulations, and the contractor relationships that define liability in oilfield injury cases across Texas and New Mexico.
- Licensed in Both States – Whether your accident happened in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, or southeastern New Mexico, we are licensed and actively practicing in both jurisdictions.
- No Upfront Costs – We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing out of pocket. We cover all case expenses and only collect if and when we win your case.
- Direct Partner Access – Your case is handled by senior attorneys, not passed to junior associates. You will have direct access to the lawyer working your case from day one.
Common Oilfield Injuries We Represent
Areas We Serve
We advocate for injury victims across the nation, focusing on Texas, New Mexico, and California for now. Our approach ensures that every case is trial-ready from the very beginning.
Oilfield Injury Lawyers Serving Clients Across Texas
Texas produces more oil than any other state in the country, and with that output comes one of the highest rates of oilfield injuries and fatalities in the nation. The Permian Basin centered around Midland and Odessa, the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, and the refineries and pipelines stretching from Houston to El Paso put thousands of workers in harm’s way every day. We represent injured workers and their families across every major producing region in the state.
Texas is unique in that it does not require employers to carry workers compensation insurance. Many oilfield operators and contractors opt out entirely, which means injured workers often have the right to file a direct lawsuit without the limitations that workers comp typically imposes. This creates significant recovery opportunities, but navigating those claims requires an attorney who understands the Texas opt-out system and how to use it to your advantage. We have handled oilfield injury cases in Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Laredo, San Antonio, and throughout the state.
Trusted Oilfield Injury Representation Across New Mexico
New Mexico is one of the fastest-growing oil-producing states in the country. Southeastern New Mexico, particularly Lea and Eddy Counties, sits directly within the Permian Basin and has seen a significant surge in drilling activity over the past decade. Cities like Hobbs, Carlsbad, and Lovington are at the center of that growth, with thousands of oilfield workers employed on active well sites, pipelines, and processing facilities throughout the region. The pace of that growth has outrun safety infrastructure in many operations, and injury rates have climbed alongside production numbers.
New Mexico has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, giving injured workers somewhat more time to act than in Texas. However, waiting is never advisable. Evidence disappears, witnesses relocate, and company records get altered. New Mexico also requires employers to carry workers compensation insurance, but that does not prevent you from pursuing third-party claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, or site operators who contributed to your injury. We actively represent oilfield injury victims in Carlsbad, Hobbs, Artesia, Lovington, and throughout southeastern New Mexico.
Over $1 Billion Won in Personal Injury Cases
It’s Not Just a Case. It’s Personal. The Cesar Ornelas Difference
Every personal injury case we accept runs on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. We get paid when you do. That alignment of interests means we are always working toward the same goal: the maximum possible recovery for you.
Serious accidents do not follow a schedule, and our team is available any time. Call (210) 957-2103 to speak with a member of our team. We offer free consultations and will travel to you when needed.
We’ve helped thousands recover the compensation they deserve. Now it’s your turn.
With top trial lawyers on our team, we bring experience and strength to every case.
Every client. Every day. We fight for maximum compensation and real justice.
From doctor visits to insurance claims, we take care of it all so you can focus on healing.
We walk you through your case and your right to an injury settlement—clearly and honestly.
You’ll never be left in the dark. We provide clear, consistent updates and 24/7 access to our team.
How We Build an Oilfield Injury Case That Wins
Oilfield accident scenes change fast. Equipment gets removed, logs get altered, and witnesses become hard to reach. We move on the first call to send preservation letters, retain investigators, and secure site access before critical evidence disappears. Then, we work with engineers, OSHA compliance specialists, and oilfield safety experts who can reconstruct what happened, identify who violated standards, and testify credibly on your behalf in court or at a deposition.
Oil and gas companies carry large insurance policies and employ teams of adjusters and defense attorneys. We handle all communications on your behalf and refuse lowball offers. Our track record in litigation gives us leverage at the negotiating table. Most oilfield injuries involve more than one responsible party. Operators, contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and site owners can all share liability. We map every relationship and pursue every avenue of recovery on your behalf.
We account for every category of loss: current and future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and where applicable, punitive damages. We do not settle for less than what your injuries are actually worth. We prepare every oilfield injury case as if it will go to trial. That preparation is why defendants take us seriously and why we consistently secure results that exceed initial offers. We are licensed and tried cases in both Texas and New Mexico courts.
Brain Injury Lawsuit FAQs
Texas is the only state that does not require employers to carry workers compensation insurance. Many oilfield companies opt out. If your employer opted out, you can file a lawsuit directly against them without limits on damages. Even if they carry workers comp, you may have a third-party claim against contractors, equipment manufacturers, or site operators.
Many oilfield workers are classified as independent contractors, but that classification does not always hold up legally. Regardless of how you were classified, you may have claims against the operator, site owner, or other parties whose negligence caused your injury. We evaluate contractor cases at no charge.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. In New Mexico, it is three years. Wrongful death claims follow different timelines. Acting quickly is important because evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade. Contact us as soon as possible after an injury.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and in some cases punitive damages. Wrongful death claims may also include loss of financial support and grief and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
No. We handle oilfield injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance all case expenses including expert fees, court costs, and investigation costs. You will never receive a bill from us unless we win.
