What Are Your Rights If You Are Injured Working in the Texas Oil and Gas Industry?

 Posted on June 11, 2026 in Work Accidents

Texas is one of the most active oil and gas states in the country, and the workers who keep that industry running face serious physical risks every day. High-pressure equipment, flammable gases, toxic chemical exposure, and job sites far from emergency services create conditions where work injuries can be severe with long recoveries. Texas law gives injured oil and gas workers several options for pursuing compensation, but which path applies depends on the specifics of how the injury occurred and who was responsible.

A Dallas, TX oil and gas injury attorney can review your situation and explain what claim options are available to you under Texas law.

Why Oil and Gas Injuries Often Lead to Long-Term Financial Losses

Oil and gas injuries tend to be serious enough to keep workers off the job for extended periods. Fractures, burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and amputations are among the most common outcomes when accidents occur on extraction sites. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the oil and gas extraction industry recorded a total recordable injury and illness rate of 0.9 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023. For workers in physically demanding roles in these industries with no ability to work remotely, even a temporary injury can mean weeks or months without income, along with accumulating medical bills during recovery.

What the Texas Workers' Compensation Law Means for Oil and Gas Injuries

Texas is the only state that lets private employers choose whether to carry workers' compensation insurance. Under Texas Labor Code § 406.002, they can legally opt out of the state system. Employers who opt out are referred to as non-subscribers.

If your employer carries workers' comp, you file a claim to recover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. That system does not allow you to sue your employer for pain and suffering.

If your employer is a non-subscriber, Texas Labor Code § 406.033 removes key legal defenses they would otherwise have. They cannot argue that a coworker caused your injury, that you assumed the job's risks, or that your own conduct was partly to blame. Without those defenses, it may be easier to hold them liable in court if their negligence caused the injury.

Before you take any steps, find out whether your employer carries workers' comp coverage. You can verify their status through the Texas Department of Insurance.

Third-Party Liability in Texas Oil and Gas Work Injury Claims

Oil and gas sites often involve multiple companies at the same time: drilling contractors, equipment manufacturers, pipeline operators, and property owners. Your employer may not be the only party that bears responsibility.

If a third party contributed to your injury, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against them separately. It can cover pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other losses that workers' comp does not pay for.

Defective equipment causes a significant share of serious injuries on oil and gas sites. If a piece of machinery failed because it was poorly designed or improperly built, the manufacturer may bear liability. If a contractor created an unsafe condition that hurt you, that contractor can be held responsible even if they did not employ you directly. These claims can often run at the same time as a workers' comp claim.

What an Injured Oil and Gas Worker Should Do After a Job Site Accident

Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible and seek medical care right away. In Texas, you generally must report a work injury to your employer within 30 days, and delays in reporting can affect your ability to file a workers' comp claim. If a third-party claim is also possible, evidence from the accident scene, witness accounts, and equipment records will be important to your case. An attorney can help you identify all available claims, gather the right evidence, and meet the deadlines that apply to your situation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dallas, TX Oil and Gas Injury Lawyer

At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., Attorney Jerry Andrews is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law. Call 214-221-5800 to speak with our experienced Dallas County, TX work accident lawyer. Every case is handled on a contingency basis, so you pay no fees or costs unless you win.

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