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Oil rig injuries are among the most serious workplace injuries a person can suffer. If you or a family member works in the oil and gas industry near Sherman, Texas, and has been hurt on the job, you need to know your legal rights right away. The laws that apply to oil rig workers are different from the laws that cover most other injured workers. The wrong legal strategy, or waiting too long to act, can cost you everything. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys serves clients throughout North Texas, including Sherman and the surrounding Grayson County area, and our team is ready to help you understand what your case is worth.
Table of Contents
- Why Oil Rig Injuries in the Sherman Area Are So Dangerous and So Common
- Which Federal Laws Apply to Oil Rig Injury Claims in Texas
- What Compensation Oil Rig Injury Victims Can Recover Under Maritime and Texas Law
- How Employer and Third-Party Negligence Causes Oil Rig Accidents
- Why Sherman Oil Rig Workers Should Act Quickly After an Injury
- FAQs About Sherman Oil Rig Injury Attorney
Why Oil Rig Injuries in the Sherman Area Are So Dangerous and So Common
Oil and gas extraction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatal injury rate for oil and gas extraction workers is over six times higher than the national average across all industries. That number alone tells you how serious this work is.
The most frequent fatal events in the oil and gas industry include vehicle incidents (26.8%), contact injuries (21.7%), and explosions (14.5%). These are not freak accidents. They happen because of equipment failures, rushed timelines, and employers who cut corners on safety.
Denton, located on the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is home to nearly 200 oil and gas drilling sites. Workers commuting from Sherman through US-75 and into the broader Barnett Shale region face real exposure to these hazards every single day. The area around Decatur, just west of Sherman’s commuting range, produced more than 1.5 million cubic feet of natural gas in March 2024 alone and has experienced numerous fires and explosions at nearby facilities, many resulting in serious injuries.
Common oil rig injuries include fractured bones, severe burns from blowouts and explosions, traumatic brain injuries from falling objects, paralysis from falls off derricks and platforms, and amputations from heavy machinery. Working at heights, as oilfield workers often do atop drilling rig platforms or scaffolding, can increase the risk of a fall and of severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or fractures and broken bones.
These injuries change lives permanently. Medical bills pile up fast. Lost wages create financial pressure on families who were already stretched thin. If a negligent employer or contractor caused your injury, you have the right to pursue full compensation. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are here to help you do exactly that.
Which Federal Laws Apply to Oil Rig Injury Claims in Texas
Oil rig injury claims are governed by a set of federal laws that most workers have never heard of. Understanding which law applies to your situation is the first step in building a strong claim.
The most well-known of these laws is the Jones Act, formally codified at 46 U.S.C. § 30104. Under this statute, a seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a civil action at law against their employer, with the right to a jury trial. The Jones Act applies to workers who qualify as “seamen,” meaning they must have a substantial connection to a vessel in navigation.
The U.S. Supreme Court clarified who qualifies as a seaman in McDermott International, Inc. v. Wilander, 498 U.S. 337 (1991). That decision established that a worker does not need to aid in the actual navigation of a vessel to qualify. Instead, the worker’s duties simply need to contribute to the function or mission of the vessel. To be considered a “seaman” under the Jones Act, a worker must spend more than 30 percent of his or her time in the service of a vessel on navigable waters.
Not all oil rigs qualify as vessels. Movable offshore oil rigs such as jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, and drillships are generally considered vessels. Workers on fixed platforms or structures that are permanently removed from navigation are not covered by the Jones Act. If you work on a fixed platform, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) may apply instead. The OCSLA extends federal law to workers on fixed offshore platforms and artificial islands on the outer continental shelf. If you work on a fixed oil or gas platform that is permanently attached to the seabed, OCSLA, not the Jones Act, likely governs your injury claim.
For workers who do not qualify under either the Jones Act or OCSLA, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) may provide a path to benefits. Under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), if a covered worker’s injury is caused by the negligence of a vessel, that worker may bring a third-party action against the vessel owner. This creates an important additional avenue for compensation beyond basic workers’ compensation benefits.
These laws are layered and fact-specific. The wrong classification can mean the difference between a limited workers’ comp payout and a full personal injury recovery. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to get a clear picture of which laws apply to your situation.
What Compensation Oil Rig Injury Victims Can Recover Under Maritime and Texas Law
Oil rig injury victims can recover far more than just medical bills. The specific compensation available depends on which law governs your claim, but the categories of damages are broad and meaningful.
Under the Jones Act, when an offshore oil rig worker qualifies as a seaman, they may seek compensation for any injuries resulting from the negligence of their employer. They may be entitled to financial compensation for medical care, lost earnings, loss of future earnings, ongoing medical costs, and pain and suffering.
General maritime law also provides a separate right called “maintenance and cure.” This is an ancient doctrine that requires an employer to pay a daily living allowance (maintenance) and cover all necessary medical treatment (cure) while an injured seaman recovers, regardless of who was at fault. You do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive maintenance and cure benefits.
Maritime law also recognizes the doctrine of unseaworthiness. This allows an injured worker to bring a claim against a vessel owner if the vessel or its equipment was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose. In Moragne v. States Marine Lines, 398 U.S. 375 (1970), the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that wrongful death actions exist under general maritime law, meaning families who lose a loved one in an oil rig accident can also pursue a claim.
For land-based oilfield workers in the Sherman area who fall under Texas law rather than maritime law, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16 sets the general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Jones Act claims carry a three-year filing deadline. Missing either deadline means losing your right to recover, so acting quickly matters.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 127 also addresses indemnity provisions in mineral agreements. This statute limits the ability of oil companies to use contractual language to shift liability away from themselves and onto smaller contractors, which is a tactic that large operators frequently attempt.
The compensation available to you could include emergency and ongoing medical care, lost wages during recovery, reduced earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages for surviving family members. These cases often involve catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and severe burns, that require lifetime care. Do not settle for less than what your injuries actually cost you.
How Employer and Third-Party Negligence Causes Oil Rig Accidents
Most oil rig accidents are preventable. They happen because employers and contractors prioritize production speed over worker safety.
Federal regulations and industry protocols require oil and gas companies to follow strict rules to keep their workers safe, but oilfield operators are notorious for cutting corners and urging employees to rush jobs for the sake of profit. When that pressure leads to an accident, the injured worker has a legal claim.
Employer negligence in oil rig cases commonly includes failure to maintain equipment, failure to train workers properly, failure to provide adequate safety gear, and failure to follow OSHA standards. Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman only needs to demonstrate that the employer’s negligence played any part, however slight, in causing the injury. This is a much lower standard than typical personal injury lawsuits. That lower standard is a significant legal advantage for injured workers.
Third-party liability is also a major factor in these cases. If defective or poorly maintained machinery caused the incident, the manufacturer or distributor may be held accountable. When hazardous site conditions contribute to an accident, the landowner or leaseholder may share in the legal responsibility. Under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), a worker covered under the LHWCA who is injured due to vessel negligence can bring a third-party action directly against the vessel owner, separate from any workers’ compensation claim.
Think about a driller working on a mobile rig near the Barnett Shale formation who is struck by a falling pipe because a safety cage was never installed. The rig operator may be liable for negligence. The equipment manufacturer may be liable for a design defect. The site owner may be liable for premises conditions. All three of these claims can potentially be pursued at the same time, which is why having a skilled attorney review your case from the start is so important.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles the full scope of these claims, from workplace injury cases involving construction and heavy equipment to catastrophic injury situations requiring long-term legal strategy. If you were hurt on an oil rig or at a drilling site anywhere in the Sherman area, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Why Sherman Oil Rig Workers Should Act Quickly After an Injury
Time is the one resource an injured oil rig worker cannot afford to waste. Evidence disappears fast on active job sites. Employers and their insurance carriers begin building their defense the moment an accident is reported. Every day you wait is a day that works against you.
The first thing to do after any oil rig injury is to get medical treatment, even if the injury seems minor at first. Some of the most serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal damage, do not present obvious symptoms immediately. A medical record created close in time to the accident is also critical evidence in your case.
Document everything you can. Take photos of the scene, the equipment involved, and your injuries. Write down the names of any witnesses. Keep copies of any incident reports filed by your employer. Do not sign any documents from your employer or their insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
OSHA requires employers to report severe injuries, including hospitalizations and amputations. OSHA severe injury reports capture only the most serious incidents, including those requiring hospitalization or an amputation. This means a large number of injuries go without any formal documentation unless the worker takes action themselves.
Filing deadlines are strict. Jones Act claims must be filed within three years of the injury date under 46 U.S.C. § 30106. Texas personal injury claims for land-based oilfield accidents generally must be filed within two years under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Missing these deadlines eliminates your right to recover, no matter how serious your injuries are.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys serves clients throughout Sherman, Grayson County, and North Texas. Our office is conveniently accessible to workers throughout the region, whether you work near the Denton courthouse area, travel US-75 between Sherman and Dallas, or work sites closer to the Red River. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case involves different facts and applicable law. What we can promise is that we will evaluate your case thoroughly and fight for every dollar you are owed. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 or reach out online to get started.
FAQs About Sherman Oil Rig Injury Attorney
Does the Jones Act apply to all oil rig workers in Texas?
The Jones Act does not apply to every oil rig worker. It covers workers who qualify as “seamen,” meaning they spend at least 30 percent of their working time in service of a vessel in navigation. Workers on mobile rigs like jack-up rigs or drillships are more likely to qualify. Workers on fixed platforms attached permanently to the seabed typically fall under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) instead. The right law depends on the specific facts of your job, your rig type, and where the injury occurred.
Can I sue my employer directly if I was injured on an oil rig?
Yes, under the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104), qualified seamen can bring a civil lawsuit directly against their employer for negligence. The standard of proof is lower than in most personal injury cases. You only need to show that your employer’s negligence played any part, however slight, in causing your injury. This is a powerful legal right that most land-based workers do not have. An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify and what your claim is worth.
What is “maintenance and cure” and am I entitled to it?
Maintenance and cure is a right under general maritime law that requires your employer to pay your basic daily living expenses (maintenance) and cover all necessary medical treatment (cure) while you recover from a work-related injury. You do not have to prove your employer was at fault to receive these benefits. They apply as long as you were injured while in service of the vessel. If your employer refuses to pay maintenance and cure, they can face additional penalties in court.
What if a defective piece of equipment caused my oil rig injury?
If faulty equipment caused your injury, you may have a third-party product liability claim against the equipment manufacturer or distributor, separate from any claim against your employer. This is true whether your case falls under the Jones Act, OCSLA, or Texas personal injury law. Third-party claims can significantly increase the total compensation available to you, because they are not subject to the same limitations as workers’ compensation benefits. An attorney can identify all potentially liable parties in your case.
How long do I have to file an oil rig injury claim in Texas?
The filing deadline depends on which law governs your claim. Jones Act claims must generally be filed within three years of the date of injury under 46 U.S.C. § 30106. Land-based oilfield injury claims under Texas law are typically subject to a two-year statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. These deadlines are strict. Missing them means losing your right to recover compensation entirely. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights.
Content on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter, as results depend on the specific facts and applicable law in each case.
