Oil Rig Risks in San Antonio, TX

Whether offshore in the Gulf of Mexico or on inland oil rigs along the Rio Grande and Eagle Ford Shale, oil and gas operations near San Antonio come with significant risks. These environments combine remote locations with heavy equipment, harsh weather, and high-pressure operations—a recipe for hazardous conditions if safety processes fail.

Eagle Ford Shale   
San Antonio’s proximity to the Eagle Ford Shale makes it a prime spot for oil rig workers and their families to live. Rig workers may commute from San Antonio or live in “man camps” for the duration of their work rotations, or hitches. In addition to facing risks while working on Eagle Shale rigs themselves, workers often deal with muddy, unpaved roads where drive-offs and vehicle overturns are common, especially during seasonal rains. Heavy supply trucks, cranes, and forklifts operate in close quarters near the rigs as well, increasing the risk of a collision or back-over accident.

Austin Chalk & Brush Country Fields   
The Austin Chalk formation and surrounding Brush Country fields extend through parts of South-Central Texas and have seen a resurgence in oil and gas development. San Antonio serves as a base for workers heading to these inland rig sites, often located in rural areas with limited infrastructure. Once on site, shifting weather between dry heat and seasonal rains can cause decks and walkways to become dangerously slick, especially when mixed with hydraulic fluid leaks or mud tracked from equipment. Without consistent maintenance and anti-slip precautions, rig workers face a high risk of slip and fall accidents, struck-by incidents, and equipment-related injuries.

Gulf of Mexico Access & Coastal Platforms   
San Antonio isn’t a coastal city, but many oil rig workers live there before rotating out to platforms in the Gulf via Corpus Christi, Port Lavaca, or other ports. Offshore oil rigs introduce a new level of risk, especially in deep water. Common hazards include blowouts caused by gas buildup or failure of blowout preventers, fires and explosions, and electrocutions from exposed wiring and ungrounded equipment. Workers also face risks during transport—helicopter crashes and crew boat accidents have resulted in serious injuries and deaths. Harsh weather, isolation, and extended time offshore enhance the dangers. For families in San Antonio whose loved ones work offshore, these risks are present and personal.

All these hazards—whether inland or offshore—can have cataclysmic effects. When negligent contractors, rig operators, or equipment manufacturers compound the threat with poor training, bad maintenance, or shortcuts, our oil rig accident lawyers in San Antonio step in to fight for injured workers.

What To Do Immediately After an Oil Rig Injury in San Antonio

1. Secure medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Record all diagnoses, treatments, and related documentation, as these may prove useful to any resulting claim.

2. Report the accident or injury in writing to your supervisor or other applicable party, and insist it’s filed officially and on time. Keep a copy of your report for your records.

3. Collect evidence and information related to the incident and your injuries if possible, such as photos of the scene and equipment, witness names, and your clothing or gear.

4. Contact a San Antonio oil rig accident attorney before talking to company insurers. Early legal counsel preserves your right to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and long-term care needs.

Our firm supports San Antonio families and workers dealing with injuries from:

Oil Rig Accident Liability in San Antonio, TX

Unlike many other states, Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for work injuries. If your oilfield employer is a subscriber to the state system, you're generally limited to workers’ comp benefits: medical care and a portion of lost wages, but no compensation for pain and suffering. However, if your employer is a non-subscriber, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them—and recover full damages, including for pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of earning capacity.

Additional avenues for compensation may exist under the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (TOAIA). This law voids certain indemnity agreements in oil and gas contracts, preventing parties from avoiding liability. TOAIA helps ensure that contractors, subcontractors, and operators are held directly accountable when their actions lead to worker injuries.

If your accident occurred on an offshore rig, federal maritime laws like the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) may apply. These allow offshore workers to seek damages beyond Texas workers’ comp, including for negligence or unseaworthy conditions.

Depending on the facts of your case, multiple parties may be liable:

No matter the setting—land-based rigs in the Eagle Ford Shale or offshore platforms in the Gulf—Arnold & Itkin has the experience to identify every path to justice.

A History of Success in Complex Oil Rig Accident Cases

Oil rig accident cases are not only notoriously complex, but they also involve facing off against an industry that makes billions in profit every year. Countering injury claims is simply part of the business, but for injured workers, it’s anything but the norm. Arnold & Itkin stands for oil rig workers and their families, helping them secure compensation that allows them to rebuild.

One of our most recent victories was on behalf of the family of a toolpusher, one of the highest-ranking positions on an oil rig. Our client’s husband was sent to work in the oilfields in Western Colorado, where he would also live for the duration of his hitch. What the company failed to tell him—and the rest of the crew—was that the area was known for a deadly but preventable virus called Hantavirus, carried in rodent droppings.

The company didn’t implement pest control. They didn’t educate the workers. And when our client’s husband fell ill, he thought it was the flu. He died in a hospital bed, thousands of miles from his home and family. We uncovered internal safety documents showing the company was fully aware of the danger and how to prevent it. Yet they hid that knowledge and offered the grieving family just $200,000. After relentless litigation, our team exposed the truth in court. 

The jury awarded $209 million in total damages, including $105.6 million in punitive damages—justice for a hardworking man whose death never should have happened.

Some of our other notable oil rig injury case results include:

• $139 million record-setting settlement for workers injured in an oilfield accident.
• $72 million verdict for an oil rig worker who lost his arm and experienced other severe injuries. 
• $36.5 million settlement for a Texas oilfield worker who was catastrophically injured.
• $18.75 million settlement for an oil rig worker who was seriously injured on the job.

View all of our victories to read more about the people we’ve helped.

“What I think sets Arnold & Itkin apart from any other attorneys is just they’re not fake about how they act, and they’re just so real, and they just want to help you so much. They have a lot of love to give.”    

– Josh Keel, oil rig accident survivor

Speak with a San Antonio Oil Rig Injury Lawyer: (888) 493-1629

Our attorneys at Arnold & Itkin bring national resources and local insight—serving injured rig workers throughout Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and nationwide. With over $20 billion recovered, we never back down, even against multinational oil companies. We’re ready to fight for your rights and secure maximum compensation—no matter what.

Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.