Why & Where Oil Rig Accidents Happen in New Mexico
New Mexico has one of the highest fatal injury rates in the oil and gas industry. Between 2008 and 2018, there were 73 deaths—equating to nearly 37 per 100,000 workers, the second-highest rate nationwide. In 2022, it maintained this position. The majority of New Mexico’s oil rig activity takes place in the southeast, particularly in the Permian Basin region near Hobbs, Carlsbad, Artesia, and the surrounding counties of Lea and Eddy. These areas account for most of the state’s oil production, where 24/7 operations push workers and equipment to the brink.
Many of the most devastating oil rig incidents stem from preventable failures:
- Lack of safety oversight on remote or unmanned sites
- Equipment defects or poor maintenance involving cranes, hoists, pumps, and drilling rigs
- Improper training or supervision of new or contract workers
- Pressure to speed up drilling operations, leading to skipped safety protocols
- Transport-related crashes, particularly on highways like U.S. 285
Although oil and gas industry workers represent just a small portion of the U.S. workforce, they are consistently overrepresented in work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Contract workers, who work on a temporary or per-project basis, face the gravest risks. According to a CDC report that referenced data from 32 jurisdictions across the U.S. from 2015 through July 2022, well service contract workers accounted for 57% of all inpatient hospitalizations from severe oil and gas extraction injuries.
The CDC's report emphasizes that these injuries could be prevented by including contract workers in worksite safety plans and providing them with consistent safety training on equipment, proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and daily on-site safety meetings.
New Mexico Oil Rig Worker Injuries
While many of New Mexico’s oil rig workers are stationed in cities like Hobbs or Carlsbad, injuries often happen in isolated areas far from trauma care. That delay in treatment can make a bad situation worse—and it makes prevention and accountability all the more important.
Rig workers in New Mexico may be at risk of suffering injuries such as:
- Crushing or caught‑in injuries from moving machinery
- Burn and blast injuries from gas or oil fires or explosions
- Head trauma and spinal cord injuries from falls onto rig decks or into pits
- Respiratory trauma, eye injuries, or burns from chemical exposure
- Whiplash, broken bones, and internal organ damage in vehicle accidents
- Amputations and severe lacerations from heavy equipment and tools
Your Rights Under New Mexico Law
Oil rig workers in New Mexico are protected by state and federal laws that guarantee their right to a safe workplace—and their right to take legal action when that safety is violated. Whether you're based near Hobbs, working the fields outside Carlsbad, or drilling near the Four Corners, those rights follow you onto every job site.
If you're injured on the job, you have the right to seek immediate medical treatment, file a claim without retaliation, and pursue compensation for everything you’ve lost—from medical bills to lost wages to future earning capacity. Depending on the cause of your accident, you may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or subcontractor.
These rights are not automatic—they must be protected and enforced. At Arnold & Itkin, our New Mexico personal injury attorneys know the tactics oil and gas companies use to shift blame, minimize injuries, and avoid accountability. That’s why we fight hard to hold them responsible and make sure our clients receive full and fair compensation under New Mexico law. When your future is on the line, we won’t settle for less.
Oil Rig Workers We Represent
Despite clear OSHA guidelines and state safety laws, companies often cut corners to maximize profits. New Mexico’s oil and gas industry contributes billions to the economy, but that cannot come at the cost of worker safety.
We represent all roles on New Mexico rigs, including:
- Roustabouts
- Roughnecks
- Drillers
- Derrickhands
- Toolpushers
- Mechanics
- Electricians
- Welders
- Crane operators
- Rig supervisors
- Safety officers
- Contract workers
- Service providers
- Truck drivers
Our New Mexico oil rig injury attorneys step in when employers and operators fail to protect the men and women who keep the rigs running.
Results & Cases Filed: Oil Rig Accidents
Oil rig accident lawsuits are notoriously complex, often involving multiple defendants (who typically try to lay blame on one another or the injured worker) and industry-specific regulations that impact the assignment of liability and eligibility for compensation. For more than 20 years, Arnold & Itkin has taken on cases for America’s hardest workers in all areas of the oil and gas industry—on land and offshore. We have fought for, and won, life-changing compensation that has helped them move forward after the unthinkable.
Some of our most notable results for oil rig workers and their families include:
- $209 million verdict for the family of a man who was working as a toolpusher on a drilling rig in the oilfields of Western Colorado when he died after being exposed to Hantavirus, a rare but deadly disease carried by rodents.
- $139 million settlement for workers injured in an oilfield accident. Our firm took 30 depositions in 2 months and ultimately settled 1 week before the trial was set to begin, setting our clients and their families up for life.
- $72 million settlement for an oilfield worker who lost his arm and experienced other life-changing injuries. In addition to securing the compensation our client deserved, we ensured the companies responsible changed their policies.
We have represented all kinds of oil rig workers across the country after life-changing injuries caused by well blowouts, fires, explosions, equipment accidents, and more. We have helped families find answers after fatal oil rig accidents claimed their loved ones’ lives. In every case we take on, we fight for the best result.
Our recent oil rig accident case filings include:
Talk to a New Mexico Oil Rig Accident Lawyer Today
The steps you take after an oil rig accident can have a profound impact on your health, as well as your ability to move forward with a case. It is important to seek medical attention, report the incident, and talk to a local oil rig accident lawyer about your rights and options before dealing with insurers, accepting a settlement offer, or signing anything.
At Arnold & Itkin, we combine local knowledge of New Mexico’s oil and gas industry with national trial experience. Our team is backed by over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements. We’re not afraid to take on major operators and trucking companies to protect workers in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Hobbs, Santa Fe—and throughout the Permian Basin.
For a free consultation, call (888) 493-1629 or contact us online. Our oil rig injury lawyers in New Mexico are standing by.
