Texas Oil Rig Explosion Accident Lawyer
Flammable liquids, vapors, heavy machinery, and high-voltage electricity create serious fire and explosion hazards for workers. Oil companies and manufacturers often neglect safety to maximize their profits. If an oil rig fire or explosion has harmed you or a loved one, our experienced Texas oil rig explosion accident lawyers can fight to hold negligent parties liable and pursue substantial compensation for your losses.
Legally Reviewed By: Lawrence P. Wilson
Senior Attorney
- Page Last Updated:
- May 20, 2025
Why You Need the Lanier Law Firm’s Texas Oil Rig Explosion Attorneys
What Types of Oil Rig Explosion Injuries Are Eligible for Compensation?
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Oil Rig Explosion Accident in Texas?
What Are the Legal Options for Workers Injured in Oil Rig Explosions in Texas?
What Our Texas Oil Rig Explosion Accident Lawyers Can Do for Your Case
Contact Our Award-Winning Oil Rig Explosion Accident Lawyers in Texas
Oil rig explosions can instantaneously cause serious injuries, including full-thickness burns, amputations, and loss of life. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database, 470 oil and gas extraction workers lost their lives in occupational accidents from 2014 to 2019. Explosions were the third most common cause of death in the industry, accounting for 14.5 percent. Texas had the highest proportion of deaths, particularly in the Permian Basin.
In 2008, 41 people died in Texas oil rig accidents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 2014 to 2019, the average number of deaths per year was 30. While an annual decrease in fatalities is always encouraging, 30 deaths per year is alarming, and it indicates that oil companies are still prioritizing profits over safety.
Our knowledgeable oil rig explosion lawyers have over 35 years of experience holding large corporations accountable for injuring individuals. If you or your loved one has been hurt or killed in an oil rig fire or explosion, we can help you get justice and compensation. Contact The Lanier Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Why You Need the Lanier Law Firm’s Texas Oil Rig Explosion Attorneys
Oil rig accident claims are complex cases against powerful corporations. Multiple companies are often liable, and it takes significant resources to stand up to them successfully.
Our skilled oil rig accident lawyers in Houston are not intimidated by corporations of any size. We fearlessly stand up to the world’s largest and most resourceful companies and have vast experience defeating them at trial. Our consistent record of outstanding results has made us one of the country’s most feared plaintiffs’ law firms. Since establishing our award-winning firm in 1992, we have recovered nearly $20 billion in compensation for our clients.
When you choose The Lanier Law Firm, you receive personalized legal care from compassionate attorneys willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to obtain maximized compensation. Attorney Lawrence P. Wilson is a renowned industrial accident lawyer with decades of experience standing up to oil companies and holding them accountable. We charge nothing upfront, and we will cover the cost of all case expenses with no obligation from you unless we win.
Lawrence P. Wilson: Lawrence “Larry” Wilson rejoined The Lanier Law Firm in 2003 and has significant experience in maritime negligence, offshore accidents, and oil rig explosion accidents with numerous favorable jury verdicts.
What Types of Oil Rig Explosion Injuries Are Eligible for Compensation?
You may be able to recover compensation for the following oil rig explosion injuries:
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Hearing loss
- Near-drowning injuries
- The death of a loved one
Your compensation may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident and the severity of your injuries.
Economic damages compensate for your financial losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover the more subjective losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases when you have evidence of gross negligence, fraud, or malice.
Our talented maritime and offshore accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation available from every responsible party. We regularly receive unsolicited client reviews about our compassionate support, hard work, and outstanding results.
“The Lanier Law Firm stands out as a legal institution that guarantees attorneys and personnel who exude compassion, intelligence, and professionalism. Speaking from personal experience, I can attest to the firm’s familial atmosphere, which in turn fosters a sense of community and support. This, coupled with the seasoned knowledge and wisdom of their legal team, creates an ideal environment for effectively resolving legal issues. I wholeheartedly recommend the Lanier Law Firm’s services without hesitation.”
– Brooklyn F.
“A compassionate professional staff takes care of you when you call. A knowledgeable, experienced lawyer speaks with you. Top-notch support, whether you become a client or not. Going above and beyond is the norm. They assist you in making the correct connection for your case & you! I always felt I was being heard, that I was treated with respect, and that my case was important. I very much appreciated my interaction with Lanier. It made a critical difference for me. My heartfelt thanks.”
– Caitlin R.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Oil Rig Explosion Accident in Texas?
Oil rig accidents often occur because multiple parties fail to follow safety standards. Flammable vapors and fluids are always present on oil rigs, and in many cases, workers must store and transport them under high pressure. A small spark is all it takes to trigger a catastrophic explosion. A spark can come from static, electricity, open flames, lightning, power tools, hot work, and friction. Even empty storage containers may contain residues that can ignite and explode with an ignition source.
Blowouts are also a significant cause of oil rig explosions. They occur when an oil well’s pressure control system fails, allowing pressure to build until it explodes.
The following parties may be liable for oil rig explosions and fires:
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Site owners
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
Some accidents occur because employers neglect safety training, equipment maintenance, or maritime safety on offshore oil rigs. However, you generally cannot hold employers liable for injuries. Instead, you must file a workers’ compensation claim to obtain medical care and partial wage replacement. Our skilled and knowledgeable oil rig explosion attorneys can identify all the liable parties and pursue every legal avenue available to help you recover compensation above what workers’ compensation covers.
What Are the Legal Options for Workers Injured in Oil Rig Explosions in Texas?
In addition to workers’ compensation, oil rig workers are protected by multiple laws and may be entitled to damages through multiple types of lawsuits when injured in an oil rig fire or explosion.
- The Jones Act – The Jones Act allows maritime workers, including oil rig workers, to recover compensation for injuries and losses they sustain while working at sea. You can recover damages for even the slightest negligence in a Jones Act lawsuit. Our maritime law litigation attorneys handle Jones Act claims.
- The Saving to Suitors Clause – The Saving to Suitors Clause of 28 U.S. Code § 1333 allows individuals injured at sea to file lawsuits in state courts even though the Federal government ordinarily has jurisdiction over maritime matters.
- Personal injury lawsuit – A personal injury lawsuit is a legal action against negligent parties. In Texas, you generally must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of an injury or death.
- Product liability lawsuit – A product liability lawsuit is a legal claim against a manufacturer or distributor of a defective product. You generally must file suit within two years of the date of injury or when you reasonably should have discovered the injury. However, you have no more than 15 years from when the defendant sold the product to file suit.
What Happens if Someone Dies on an Oil Rig?
If your loved one dies in an oil rig fire or explosion, you may be entitled to economic, non-economic, and punitive damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death damages may include funeral expenses, your loved one’s medical expenses, loss of your loved one’s lifetime income, mental grief and suffering, and loss of companionship.
If the fire occurred on an offshore oil rig more than three nautical miles from the United States shoreline, you may qualify to file a lawsuit in admiralty court under the Death on the High Seas Act, also known as DOHSA. You must be the spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative to recover damages in a DOHSA lawsuit.
What Our Texas Oil Rig Explosion Accident Lawyers Can Do for Your Case
Our talented attorneys are committed to securing the maximum compensation available. As soon as we accept your case, we start preparing it for trial. This puts defendants on notice that we can win in court. Thus, it’s in their best interests to settle for full compensation. Your only job will be to focus on recovery while we handle all of the details, including the following:
- Provide a free consultation.
- Travel to you anywhere in Texas.
- Identify all liable parties.
- Negotiate for the highest possible settlement.
- If the defendants refuse to settle for fair compensation, present a compelling case to a jury.
“We will not be outspent, will not be outworked, and we are able to handle the big industrial cases to ensure our clients the best results.”
– Lawrence P. Wilson
Contact Our Award-Winning Oil Rig Explosion Accident Lawyers in Texas
Oil rig explosions are serious accidents that can affect you for a lifetime. You and your family deserve compensation when large corporations neglect safety and put you in harm’s way.
Contact The Lanier Law Firm online today or call (800) 723-3216 for a free case evaluation.
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10940 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N. Suite 100
Houston, TX 77064
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