Our oilfield accident law firm based in Odessa represents offshore and oilfield workers from all over the state, helping them get the compensation they deserve after an accident that wasn’t their fault.
Our Texas accident attorney has successfully recovered maximum compensation for injured individuals and their families all over the state, from the Rio Grande Valley to the Permian Basin.
The U.S. consumes over 20 million barrels of petroleum daily. Such high demand exacerbates the inherent danger of the work environment, where the smallest mistake can trigger a major explosion or accident.
Historically, catastrophic oilfield disasters have warranted oilfield injury lawsuits resulting in substantial settlements or judgments for plaintiffs.
In a recent case, our client suffered an elbow injury while using a pipe press, resulting in him needing his arm amputated above the elbow. Understandably, this caused considerable distress and had a life-changing impact. The insurance company offered to settle with the client for $350,000. After filing a lawsuit, we secured a judgment of 3.92 million dollars.
We’re a veteran-owned personal injury firm. Founder Dr. Louis Patino has decades of experience in an impressive career path that has taken him through the medical and legal fields. Before embarking on a career in law, Dr. Patino served as a U.S. Army Combat Medic for the 10th Mountain Division during the Gulf War era and practiced as a licensed chiropractor. Today, he uses his educational and personal experience in both fields to offer a unique perspective on personal injury law and empathize with victims of accidents with severe injuries.
We offer a personal approach. Right from the moment you book a no-obligation case review through to negotiating your settlement or taking your case to trial, you’ll meet directly with your dedicated lawyer. They will be your point of contact and will always be there to update you on your case and answer any questions you might have.
We’ve secured millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. We’ve secured six-figure-plus settlements for our clients for a range of accidents and injuries.
We can help you get access to the best medical care. Evidence is the cornerstone of any successful oilfield accident claim, and the burden is on you to provide it. That’s why we make sure our clients get the best medical care for their injuries. We will discuss your case with your doctor and, if necessary, can refer you to a specialist for expert treatment. We can also help you delay payment for medical treatment until after you receive a settlement, meaning you’ll never be left with expenses you can’t afford.
You don’t pay unless we win. Our Odessa oilfield accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay a cent until we win your case.
Hiring an attorney is not a decision you should rush. Your goal should be to hire a personal injury law firm with experience handling complex oilfield injury cases that you trust has your best interests at heart.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when hiring an attorney for your oilfield injury case:
Finding the best attorney for your oilfield injury case is crucial to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation case review so you can determine if we’re the right firm for you.
For a free case evaluation with our experienced Texas oilfield injury accident lawyers, call us today at 855-LAW-NINJA or send us a confidential message through our contact page.
You pay no fees until we win, and we’re available 24/7.
The oil and gas industry has one of the highest injury rates among all industries, and injury rates in Midland-Odessa have been steadily climbing in recent years.
Only recently, on June 30th, 2023, pipeline operators released over half a million pounds of gas to combat the risk of explosions as record-breaking temperatures drove pressures to dangerous levels. On March 29, 2023, operator errors caused over 400 thousand gallons of crude oil to spill from a pipeline in Midland, marking the largest spill in the Permian Basin since 2010.
Equipment failure, explosions, slips and falls, leaks and spills, and other rig accidents are far too common, and oilfield workers pay the price, with those hurt on the job frequently suffering catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
These injuries can stem from a range of different types of oilfield accidents. We’ve helped our clients recover compensation for injuries caused by:
Oilfield workers often work at significant heights, using platforms, rigs, tanks, and ladders for drilling operations, oil storage, transport pipelines, inspection, and maintenance. Falls from such heights can happen if equipment is faulty or not properly maintained, heavy rainfall or strong winds cause workers to lose their footing, or safety measures such as guardrails or safety nets are inadequate or absent entirely.
Crush and struck-by-objects accidents can inflict significant physical trauma on workers, from broken bones to internal injuries or death. They often involve falling tools, equipment malfunctions, and incidents involving heavy machinery.
We’ve listed some common incidents below.
The volatile chemicals encountered during oil extraction make fires and explosions an ever-present threat. These highly flammable materials can ignite from static electricity, sparks from power tools, or even an open flame. High pressure can also rupture pipes or lines, causing leaks that can easily be set alight.
But explosions aren’t the only threat of close contact with hazardous chemicals. Prolonged exposure to substances like benzene can be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin and cause chronic respiratory or neurological damage.
Oilfield operations use a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles, including drilling rigs, crane trucks, and flatbed trucks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites auto accidents as some of the most prevalent causes of work-related injuries in the oil and gas industry. Accidents can occur when an improperly balanced load overturns, vehicle parts are defective or not maintained, operators are not sufficiently trained to handle heavy machinery, or operators fail to follow safety procedures, such as driving too fast or failing to check their blind spots. These accidents also often occur when equipment and oilfield employees are being transported to work.
Between identifying liable parties among contractors and subcontractors, proving negligence, and negotiating a fair offer, oilfield injury lawsuits are complex. Our dedicated legal team, led by McAllen personal injury attorney Dr. Louis Patino, will help you navigate the law and build a strong case to give you the best chance of success. This process typically involves:
When you choose the Patino Law Firm to obtain fair compensation for your injuries, you’ll benefit from a partner who offers support, is always available to answer your questions, and provides guidance every step of the way. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle complex oilfield injury cases and will fight for your rights, treating you as a person, never a number.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years. This may seem like a long time, but several steps need to happen first, so it’s always advisable to begin the process as early as possible.
If you are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim, you have a much tighter deadline — 30 days to report the accident to your employer.
When you contact us, we will arrange your free case review. You can visit us at our McAllen or San Antonio offices, speak to us on the phone or via video chat, or we can come to you.
Your appointment will last around 15-20 minutes. We’ll get the basic facts of your accidents, including how it happened and your injuries to determine if you are entitled to claim.
Your free consultation is not just an opportunity for us to gather details about your accident — it’s also your chance to ask us about what to expect and how we will handle your claim so you can decide if we’re the right firm for you.
We want you to have no reservations that we are the best oilfield accident law firm for you, so there is no obligation to move forward, and we will never pressure you to make a decision.
After your oilfield accident, you may come across two terms: “workers’ compensation” and “personal injury lawsuit”.
Both allow employees to secure compensation for a work injury, but they are fundamentally different.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that employers can take out to protect both parties when an employee is injured on the job.
Workers’ compensation claims pay medical expenses and a portion of lost wages (usually 40-60%). They do not compensate oilfield workers for future treatment or other damages such as mental anguish or pain and suffering, but there is also a lower burden to claim. Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, where you must demonstrate negligence, you do not need to prove your employer or another party was negligent to claim — only that the accident happened at work (or while you were acting under the scope of your employment).
You cannot sue your employer if they have workers’ compensation insurance, so your first step after an oilfield injury should be to check if your employer has workers’ comp.
To file for workers; compensation, you must report your accident to your employer within 30 days. They will then file the claim and notify you when a decision is made.
In any other state, workers’ compensation is compulsory, making it the primary avenue for recovering compensation. However, Texas does not mandate this insurance, which may provide an alternative avenue.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If your employer does not have workers’ comp insurance, you may choose to file a lawsuit. It is crucial to hire a dedicated Midland-Odessa oilfield accident attorney, as you must prove your employer or another party was negligent and that their conduct caused the accident that led to your injuries.
While the burden of proof is higher in a personal injury lawsuit, so too is the potential reward, as you can recover additional compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other non-economic damages.
If your employer has workers’ comp, you cannot sue your employer to secure additional compensation. However, if your accident was caused by a third party’s negligence, you may be able to claim both.
For example, if you sustain a permanent leg injury after being crushed by a heavy load caused by a defective hoist breaking, you can claim workers’ compensation via your employer — as the accident happened at work — and file a lawsuit against the manufacturer responsible for ensuring the safety and effective operation of the faulty hoist.
A seasoned Midland-Odessa oilfield accident lawyer can look at the specifics of your case and explore your options for recovering compensation. For a free consultation to see where you stand, call 855-LAW-NINJA, fill in our contact form, or visit us in McAllen or San Antonio.
