The Dangers of Oilfield Work
Drilling and well-servicing operations involve heavy machinery, high pressure, flammable materials, and demanding schedules. Common oilfield injuries include burns from fires and explosions, crush injuries from falling or swinging equipment, falls from derricks and platforms, toxic chemical exposure, and trucking crashes involving rig and frac traffic. The consequences are often catastrophic.
Multiple Parties, Multiple Claims
Oilfield sites typically involve many companies — the operator, drilling contractor, service companies, equipment manufacturers, and trucking firms. Workers are frequently employed by one company while injured by the negligence of another. That opens the door to third-party claims that go beyond workers' compensation and can include full lost earnings and pain and suffering.
Compensation for Oilfield Injuries
You may recover medical expenses, future care, lost income and earning capacity, and non-economic damages. Where a company ignored safety regulations, punitive damages may also apply. With no cap on non-economic damages in Oklahoma since 2019, catastrophic oilfield injuries can be fully valued.
Preserve Evidence Early
Oilfield evidence — equipment, maintenance records, safety logs, and witness accounts — can disappear fast. The two-year statute of limitations under Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95 generally applies to third-party claims, but investigation should begin immediately.
Injured in Oklahoma? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often yes. Because many companies operate on a single site, a third-party claim against a negligent contractor, operator, or manufacturer can recover damages workers' comp does not cover.
Burns and explosions, crush injuries, falls from height, chemical exposure, and crashes involving oilfield trucks.
Critical evidence like equipment and safety logs can disappear. Early investigation protects your claim under the two-year deadline.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney.