Decatur Oil Rig & Drilling Injury Attorneys

Injured in the Oil Fields? Speak to an Experienced Decatur Oil Rig & Drilling Injury Lawyer Today

The oil business defined much of Texas’s history, from early oil well discoveries to today’s multi-billion-dollar, globe-spanning business providing essential sources of energy. Those who work in the oil industry in and near Decatur recognize the value of their work – and the dangers it creates. 

If you’re injured on an oil rig or while drilling, don’t wait. Speak to an experienced Decatur oil and gas industry injury lawyer who can help you. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC is here to assist. 

Decatur’s Oil Rig and Drilling Industry

Over 1,573 drilled oil and gas wells are currently in operation around Decatur, Texas. In March 2025, these sites produced 3,620 barrels of oil and over 1.4 million thousand cubic feet (MCF) of natural gas. 

Dozens of companies operate rigs and drilling materials at these sites. These companies employ many people in and near Decatur. While many companies and workers train for safety and use safety measures, serious injuries may still occur. 

Oil Rig and Drilling Injury Risks

Oil and gas extraction workers experience work-related injuries at higher rates than many other industries, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Among oil and gas workers, those who work in drilling or servicing oil rigs face higher injury risks than those that work in everyday operations. 

Why do oil rig and drilling workers face such high risks of injury? OSHA identified several factors contributing to risk in these industries:

• Workers must handle dangerous and volatile substances under a variety of situations: drilling, constructing and operating rigs, transporting oil and gas, and maintaining equipment. 
• Shifts are often long, which can lead to physical and mental fatigue. Tired workers are more likely to face accidents. 
• Contract workers are common in these industries, yet they also receive less information and training about their assignments than long-term employees, on average. 

In Texas, employees can often seek workers’ compensation benefits to help them meet medical costs, cover a portion of their lost wages, and provide other support. Independent contractors, however, may not have access to these benefits. Both employees and contractors can benefit from speaking to an experienced injury lawyer after a work-related oil rig or drilling injury. If you need help navigating the best next steps to take, give us a call today at (940) 800-2500. 

What Are Common Injuries in the Oil Industry?

In one study, 2,101 severe work-related injuries among oil and gas workers were studied to determine the most common types of injuries. The study found that:

• 20 percent of all injuries involved amputation of at least one body part.
• Over half (57 percent) of all hospitalizations for oil and gas-related injuries involved amputation. 
• Workers’ upper bodies were injured in 43 percent of all cases. 

Amputations, loss of an eye, and hospitalizations were the focus of the study. Yet other serious injuries can occur in oil rig and drilling work as well. In another study of workers on onshore oil rigs, researchers found that injuries to the hands and wrists were most common, followed by injuries to the legs and feet, head and neck, and arms. Many injuries required medical attention, required the worker to restrict their efforts, or required time off work to heal. 

What To Do If You’re Injured While Working on an Oil Rig or While Drilling

Injuries must be taken seriously when working on an oil rig or drilling operation. The following steps can help you protect both your health and your legal rights after an injury.

In some cases, you may be unable to take these steps right away. If an injury killed a loved one, your loved one may have been unable to take these steps. If this happens, talk to an experienced oil industry injury lawyer in Decatur. An attorney can help you gather the missing information and take steps to protect your legal rights. 

Put Safety First

Always prioritize safety after an accident. Move away from hazards and lock down any moving parts or open valves. If possible, use safety equipment to warn others about the risk. However, do not move someone who is seriously injured, especially if a head, neck, or back injury may have happened. Doing so can cause more damage.

Document The Scene

Photos, videos, drawings, and written or voice notes can all help you document and remember what happened. This information can help you reconstruct the incident and determine who was responsible for your injuries. 

If you cannot document the scene, ask someone else to do it for you. In some instances, the company may document matters through an accident report or other means. Ask for a copy of this report or ask your attorney to seek a copy for you. 

Report the Injury to Your Employer

Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation requires you to report the injury so your employer can open a workers’ compensation claim. You can tell your direct supervisor or anyone in authority at your work site. Ask for a list of approved physicians and see one of the doctors on the list.

If you’re a contractor, report the injury to those in charge at the worksite and to your contracting company. Making these reports alerts those in charge that something is wrong. It starts the process of documenting your situation. If workers’ compensation or other benefits are available, notifying those in charge can also help you start this process. 

Get Medical Attention Immediately

In an emergency, call 911 or have someone else do so. If you don’t get emergency medical care, see a doctor as soon as you can. A doctor will document your injuries, help you recover, and clarify the full extent of the damage from the accident. 

Follow all medical instructions: use your medications or other items as prescribed and attend all follow-up appointments. Keep copies of all your paperwork from medical appointments. 

How A Top-Rated Oil Rig Injury Attorney Can Help You 

Texas allows an injured worker or a deceased worker’s family to file a lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim on their own. However, having a lawyer on your side can make the process easier and more effective. Here are just a few ways an attorney can help. 

Investigating Your Injuries

Oil rig injuries can arise from complex sources. What caused your injuries, and who was at fault? The question can be challenging to answer, demanding significant investigation. 

Many oil rig and drilling workers are surprised by their injuries. They were following safety protocols at the time. They did everything right, yet they were seriously hurt. 

In these instances, a third party – not you or your employer – might be responsible for your injuries. Hidden defects in equipment and tools, failed maintenance or inspections by outside teams, and other factors can create a dangerous situation. A worker following safety rules may be unable to spot or prevent the accident until it’s too late. 

Your lawyer will investigate your accident. Your attorney will make the connections between what happened and how you were injured, making it clear that you deserve compensation. 

Negotiations 

Insurance companies, oil and gas companies, and other big businesses have one thing in common: They exist to make money, and they don’t want to part with it. Not even when an injured person deserves compensation.

Fighting for help with your medical bills, lost wages, and other needs after a serious injury can be challenging. Insurers and other big companies employ attorneys to fight back. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you level the playing field. 

Your attorney will fight for the full, fair compensation you need, whether that means negotiating with an insurance company or building a case in court. 

Fighting For Your Legal Rights

You have rights after a serious oil rig or drilling injury. If an injury claims the life of a loved one, the surviving family members have rights as well. You also deserve to know what happened – and to hold any negligent, reckless, or intentionally misbehaving parties accountable if you can. 

Decatur oil and gas injury lawyers dedicate their careers to protecting the legal rights of their injured clients and their families. They know how to fight back against arguments that would deny you your right to answers and compensation. Your attorney takes on the work of protecting your legal rights, so that you and your loved ones can focus on healing. 

Contact Our Experienced Decatur Oil Rig and Drilling Injury Lawyers Today

Injuries in the oil and gas business can be serious – even deadly. If you’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one, dealing with the aftermath is a full-time job. Seeking compensation on top of your daily struggle can seem impossible.

You don’t have to fight alone. At Chandler Ross PLLC, our experienced Decatur oil rig injury attorneys provide serious representation after serious injuries. Reach out to us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions and help you make an informed choice about your legal representation. Give us a call at (940) 800-2500.

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