Posted on Friday, August 15th, 2025 at 9:00 am
An oil field blowout is a drilling site’s most terrifying event. These sudden, uncontrolled releases of oil or gas threaten the safety of workers and can lead to explosions, fires, and toxic chemical exposure. The aftermath often leaves workers with catastrophic physical and emotional injuries, which are commonly referred to as oil field blowout injuries. These gas field injuries can include severe burns, respiratory damage from toxic exposure, and long-term trauma that affects every aspect of a worker’s life.
Oklahoma oil field blowouts are not always the result of unpredictable circumstances. Unfortunately, many preventable accidents stem from faulty equipment, poor well control practices, or neglected safety standards. Even a company’s money-saving corner-cutting can result in devastating gas field accidents, leading to wrongful death that can cost a worker their life or limb. The dangers of oil well blowouts are a harsh reminder of what can happen when safety takes a back seat.
Legal help is available for oil field workers injured in traumatic blowout accidents. Understanding your legal options can put you in the best position to recover the compensation you deserve.
What Is an Oil Field Blowout?
An oil field blowout occurs when an uncontrolled release of oil, gas, or other underground materials erupts from a well. Oil and gas wells operate under tremendous pressure. When pressure control systems fail, it can cause the uncontrollable release of oil or gas. This sudden release can lead to explosions, fires, toxic gas exposure, and catastrophic injuries.
Blowouts often happen during drilling, maintenance, or production when companies or individuals do not follow proper safety measures. They can also occur due to equipment failure, poor well control, unexpected pressure surges, and human error. Modern safety equipment and strict regulations are designed to prevent blowouts, but disaster can strike when companies cut corners or fail to maintain equipment. One significant risk factor is PPE failure in worksites, where faulty or improperly used protective gear leaves workers vulnerable to serious injuries in hazardous environments.
In 2018, an Oklahoma blowout and subsequent fire killed five oil field workers, making it one of the state’s deadliest accidents in the industry. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board suggested that a series of lapses may have led to the explosion, calling the accident “completely preventable.”
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Oil field blowout accidents are rarely simple. In many cases, multiple companies and individuals are working on the same drilling site. That means more than one party could be responsible for a blowout. When OSHA violations, poor decisions, or negligence occur, several groups may share liability. Common parties that could be held accountable after an oil field blowout include:
- Employers and Site Operators – These companies are responsible for providing safe working conditions, proper training, and following all safety rules.
- Equipment Manufacturers – Faulty blowout preventers, defective sound control equipment, or other malfunctioning machinery or valves can lead to catastrophic accidents. The manufacturer may be legally responsible when a defective part or equipment causes an accident.
- Maintenance and Service Companies – Third-party contractors hired to inspect, maintain, or repair drilling equipment may be liable if their negligence led to equipment failure. These companies must thoroughly inspect and maintain the integrity of oil field equipment and wells.
- Contractors and Subcontractors – If outside contractors acted carelessly or ignored safety protocols, they could be held responsible for contributing to the blowout.
- Property Owners – In some situations, a property owner may also be partially responsible if unsafe conditions on the property contributed to the cause of the incident.
Unfortunately, oil field blowout accidents are complicated because many parties may be involved. Figuring out who to hold accountable requires a thorough investigation. Additionally, proving liability in these complex cases is nearly impossible without an experienced attorney who understands oilfield operations and the state and federal laws that may apply to these cases.
Legal Options for Injured Workers
Understanding your legal options after a traumatic event like a blowout accident can be challenging. The last thing a worker with catastrophic injuries wants to think about is the uphill battle of holding one or multiple parties accountable. Injured workers want fair compensation and help rebuilding their lives. Where does that come from? The answer depends.
Compensation for oil field workers injured in a blowout accident can also be complex. Often, the first place an injured Oklahoma oil field worker should turn for help covering medical expenses is filing a workers’ compensation claim. Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance is a program that offers medical and wage replacement benefits to workers hurt on the job.
Oklahoma workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance. That means workers are generally entitled to benefits, no matter who is at fault for causing the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits can cover medical expenses related to the workplace injury and a portion of a person’s lost wages. Depending on the severity of a worker’s injuries and whether they can return to work, insurance may also provide temporary or permanent disability benefits. Death benefits are also available for surviving family members.
Employees typically give up the right to sue their employer by accepting workers’ compensation benefits. However, oilfield workers who are hurt due to the actions of careless third parties can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Third-party entities can include parts manufacturers, maintenance companies, and contractors. Individuals may seek compensation for injuries like pain and suffering. Families who lost a loved one in a blowout accident may also have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
The value of a third-party lawsuit varies. Factors like the cause of the accident, the severity of a person’s injuries, and other evidence shape a case. Whether you are filing a workers’ compensation claim or want to explore a personal injury lawsuit, always speak with an experienced oilfield accident attorney first. An attorney can help you evaluate your options and find solutions to recover maximum compensation.
Let an Oklahoma Oil Field Accident Lawyer Fight for You
A blowout accident in an Oklahoma oil field can have catastrophic physical and financial repercussions. Injured workers deserve to work with someone who will advocate and fight for them. Fight for fair compensation and justice. Oklahoma’s oil field accident lawyers at Abel Law Firm protect workers and aggressively pursue maximum compensation. Our team is here to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward securing the necessary benefits. Contact our office online or call (405) 239-7046 for a free initial consultation with an Oklahoma oil field accident attorney to discuss your legal rights after a blowout incident.
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