Helping Workers & Their Families Recover After Land Rig Accidents in Fort Worth
Texas leads the nation in oil production. Underneath Texas soil lies over 5 billion barrels of proven reserves. Because of this, the oil and gas industry accounts for 24.3% of the state’s economy and about 14.3% of its jobs. While important, the oil and gas industry is also one of the deadliest industries for American workers—they face dangerous machinery, toxic substances, and the risk of fires and even explosions each day on the job.
From derrick operators to roughnecks to truck drivers, the oil industry has earned a reputation for mistreating all types of workers. Companies fail to maintain or replace equipment, provide rushed or inadequate safety training, and cut corners in other ways that boost productivity and profitability while placing the men and women who make their fortunes at risk. This is unacceptable, and our Fort Worth oilfield accident law firm is ready to stand up for injured workers.
Call our Fort Worth oilfield accident attorneys now at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation. We help clients throughout the nation, including those in Dallas and Fort Worth!
Oilfield Development in Fort Worth & Tarrant County
Fort Worth and Tarrant County have played a pivotal role in the evolution of oil and gas production in Texas. While much of the state’s early oil boom history is tied to places like Spindletop and the Permian Basin, Fort Worth became ground zero for a different kind of revolution: the rise of urban shale drilling.
In the 1980s and ‘90s, Mitchell Energy began exploring the Barnett Shale—a massive formation stretching beneath more than 20 North Texas counties, including Tarrant. In the late 1990s, the company successfully combined horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing to extract gas from this dense rock. That breakthrough unlocked one of the largest onshore natural gas plays in the country and launched what would become the fracking boom. At its peak in the late 2000s, there were more than 2,000 producing wells within Fort Worth city limits—making it the first major urban gas field in the U.S.
This rapid expansion brought jobs and revenue, but it also introduced risks. Residential areas were suddenly dotted with drilling rigs, compressor stations, and heavy truck traffic. Accidents, equipment failures, and toxic exposure became concerns not only for workers but also for people living near active sites. Today, while drilling activity in the Barnett Shale has slowed, more than 19,000 wells remain across the basin. Many are still in operation—and they still require upkeep, monitoring, and a workforce exposed to the same hazards that have plagued the industry for decades.
The history of oil and gas in Fort Worth runs deep, and so does the responsibility of companies to protect the people who power this industry. When they fail, our Fort Worth oilfield injury lawyers are here to make things right. We represent injured workers and families after all types of land rig and other oil and gas industry incidents across Texas and nationwide.
We’re Not Afraid to Take on Fort Worth’s Largest Oil & Gas Companies
During the Barnett Shale boom, Fort Worth became home to many energy firms. Within recent years, however, the landscape has consolidated. BKV Corporation—a U.S. subsidiary of Thailand’s Banpu—has emerged as the largest natural gas producer in the Barnett Shale, after acquiring Devon Energy’s and XTO Energy/ExxonMobil’s Barnett assets. BKV now operates thousands of local wells. TotalEnergies is another major player, which holds the assets formerly co-owned with Chesapeake Energy. Other key producers include Bedrock Production, Javelin Energy Partners, Diversified Energy, EOG Resources, Eagleride Operating, and Sage Natural Resources.
When oilfield workers and contractors are injured during an accident, it’s understandable that they often feel intimidated by their employer. Most companies operating in Texas oilfields are industry giants, with many of them being international companies with armies of lawyers and vast resources to counteract any claims or lawsuits that may be filed against them. The goal of our team is to level the playing field by bringing the fight back to them.
Our Fort Worth oilfield accident attorneys are prepared to handle cases against any operator, no matter their resources. We fight to win—because that’s what it takes to help injured workers and their families move forward.
Causes & Types of Oilfield Accidents in Fort Worth
Working safely in the oilfield requires safety equipment, training, experience, and a team that looks out for each other. Unfortunately, operators do not always provide workers with the gear or training they need to carry out their jobs safely. They may not replace aging equipment or maintain critical machinery, leading to failures that put workers' lives at risk. Here’s a lose-up look at the leading causes of oilfield accidents and how they play out in the Fort Worth region:
Common Accident Causes
Heavy Equipment Failures & Poor Maintenance Aging pumps, valves, and rigs can malfunction without warning, leading to crush injuries or catastrophic blowouts. OSHA reports that about 60% of oilfield injuries involve workers being struck by, caught in, or crushed by equipment.
Explosions, Fires & Chemical Exposure Workers face volatile fluids—such as hydrogen sulfide, drilling mud additives, or natural gas—that can ignite or cause harm through inhalation. These hazards are especially prevalent during well blowouts or tank battery incidents.
Vehicle Crashes & Driver Fatigue Transportation incidents account for nearly half of serious oilfield injuries. Workers commuting along rural routes north of Fort Worth face the hazards of fatigued driving. Vehicle crashes account for about 40% of oil and gas extraction injuries.
Falls & Falling Objects Elevated platforms, catwalks, and working at heights on rigs introduce risk. Dropped tools, unstable scaffolding, and a lack of proper fall protection can cause severe falls or head trauma. Workers at heights or those below may be harmed.
Fatigue & Overexertion Exhaustion from long shifts, exposure to heat or cold, and minimal rest can impair worker judgment and reaction time, especially while commuting or performing high-risk operations. Employers must manage shifts and provide proper rest.
These oilfield accident types are not isolated—they often overlap. A fatigued driver returning from a fracking site may hit debris from a rig blowout or collide with a poorly maintained service truck. A derrickhand may suffer catastrophic harm in a fall caused by a sudden explosion. A toolpusher may be struck by a piece of equipment thrown into the air because of a machinery malfunction. Understanding how these accidents happen, and why, is crucial.
Our local oilfield accident lawyers in Fort Worth have helped after all types of injuries and accidents, involving various causes. We know how to identify who is responsible (often more than one company) and build compelling cases that offer our clients the best opportunity at complete compensation.
Exhaustion: A Killer in Fort Worth Oilfields & Roadways
One of the most unexpected dangers for oilfield workers comes from the combination of exhaustion and the long drives to and from remote job sites. Since oilfields are often in rural areas, many narrow or poorly maintained roads are suddenly tasked with handling far more traffic than they were ever designed for. In and around Fort Worth, critical roadways like I-35W, US-287, and Loop 820 have seen sharp increases in heavy oilfield traffic, especially during production booms.
Often, we face teams of lawyers on the other side who are focused on helping their company get away with negligence for as little as possible—we never let them intimidate us. By never backing down from a fight, we’ve won more than $20 billion for people facing the most difficult moments of their lives. We know oilfield accidents shouldn’t happen, and we’re even more certain that workers shouldn’t shoulder the blame for them.
Call us today at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation with our top-rated Fort Worth oilfield accident law firm. We’re standing by to help.
How Much Does Getting Help from a Fort Worth Oilfield Accident Law Firm Costs?
We cover all costs associated with a case and only collect a payment if we win results. Working this way relieves financial pressure on clients who are already going through enough problems with money. It also makes our services attainable for anyone and shows customers that we’re invested in the success of their case.
My Company Offered a Settlement, Should I Accept It?
You should always speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement for your oilfield injury. While it might seem like your company is trying to do the right thing, initial settlement offers are often lower than they should be—whether they’re meant to be or not. Importantly, accepting a low initial settlement often blocks a person from seeking further compensation once they realize that they deserve and need it.
Speaking with our team is free, confidential, and will help you decide if you’re making the right decision.
What Can I Recover After an Oilfield Accident?
At Arnold & Itkin, we focus on helping clients get the compensation they need to secure justice and move forward with their lives. While every case is different, we always focus on a person’s unique needs and situation to make sure we’re fighting for the results they need. We often pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, inability to work, future care needs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and anything else a client needs after their accident.
What Local Fort Worth Hospitals Treat Oilfield Injuries?
Fort Worth is home to several top-tier hospitals and trauma centers equipped to treat serious oilfield injuries. Depending on the severity of the incident, injured workers may be transported to a Level I or Level II trauma center for immediate, life-saving care. Facilities such as John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS) and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth are among the leading trauma centers in the region. Both have the advanced capabilities needed to treat burn injuries, crush trauma, head and spinal injuries, and other critical conditions common in oilfield accidents. For longer-term rehabilitation, facilities like Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation provide specialized therapies to help patients regain mobility and function.
Whether you were treated at a local ER or transferred to a specialized burn unit, Arnold & Itkin can help you understand your rights and fight to recover the full cost of your care—now and in the future.
