Gas field work in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is essential to the state’s economy, but it carries serious risks. Workers face explosions, toxic gas exposure, burns, and equipment failures that can cause life-altering injuries. If you’ve been injured in a gas field accident in Tulsa, Abel Law Firm provides experienced legal representation to help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm for Your Gas Field Accident Claim
When you suffer a gas field accident, you need a law firm that understands both personal injury law and the oil and gas industry. Abel Law Firm brings 50+ years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases, including gas field accidents. Our team has recovered over $550 million for injured clients throughout Oklahoma.
Our attorneys include multiple Super Lawyers recognized by their peers for excellence in personal injury litigation. We secured a landmark $15 million verdict in an oil field accident case involving loss of limb—a case that led to a successful appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of tort reform damage caps. This victory fundamentally changed Oklahoma law to ensure injured workers receive full compensation for their injuries.
We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We offer free consultations and maintain 24/7 availability to answer your questions. Our Tulsa office is located at (918) 777-7046, ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Gas Field Accidents in Tulsa
Gas field accidents happen for many reasons, often due to negligence or failure to follow safety protocols. Understanding what causes these accidents can help identify who is responsible for your injuries and strengthen your legal claim. Our personal injury lawyers investigate each accident thoroughly to determine liability.
Equipment Failures and Maintenance Issues
Poorly maintained equipment can create hazardous conditions on gas field sites. Faulty blowout preventers, defective safety devices, and inadequate maintenance procedures lead to accidents that injure workers. When equipment manufacturers or operators fail to maintain safety equipment properly, they bear responsibility for resulting injuries. Gas field operators have a legal duty to inspect, maintain, and replace equipment regularly to protect their workers. Learn more about understanding liabilities if you are injured by faulty oilfield equipment.
Explosions and Fires
Gas field explosions and fires cause some of the most severe injuries in the industry. These accidents occur when gas leaks combine with ignition sources, when ventilation systems fail, or when workers improperly handle flammable materials. Explosions can happen in seconds, leaving workers with severe burn injuries, respiratory damage, and traumatic injuries. Fires spread rapidly through gas field sites, trapping workers and causing catastrophic harm. Operators must implement strict protocols to prevent gas leaks, maintain proper ventilation, and control ignition sources. For more information, see our guide on understanding the causes of gas field explosions and injuries.
Toxic Gas Exposure
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other toxic gases present hidden dangers on gas field sites. While H2S has a distinctive odor at low concentrations, workers lose the ability to smell it at dangerous levels due to olfactory fatigue. Workers exposed to H2S without adequate protective equipment suffer respiratory damage, loss of consciousness, and death. Employers must provide proper protective equipment, conduct air quality monitoring, and warn workers about toxic gas hazards. Failure to provide adequate protection or warn workers about dangers creates liability for resulting injuries. Read about compensation for toxic exposure injuries in gas field accidents.
Operator Negligence
Many gas field accidents result from operator negligence rather than equipment failure. Inadequate training leaves workers unprepared for emergency situations. Fatigue impairs judgment and reaction time. Failure to follow established safety procedures creates unnecessary risks. Rushing work to meet production deadlines compromises safety. When operators prioritize speed and profit over worker safety, they create conditions for serious accidents. Understand negligence in gas fields and who’s liable for worker injuries.
Types of Injuries from Gas Field Accidents
Gas field accidents can cause severe, life-altering injuries that require immediate medical attention and long-term care. These various injuries often result in permanent disability, chronic pain, and substantial medical expenses. Our Tulsa personal injury lawyers have recovered millions for clients suffering these devastating injuries:
- Severe burns and thermal injuries occur in explosions and fires, requiring extensive hospitalization, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgery.
- Respiratory damage from toxic gas exposure can cause permanent lung damage and breathing difficulties.
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma result from explosions, falling equipment, or blunt force impacts.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis leave workers unable to work or care for themselves.
- Crush injuries and amputations occur when workers are caught in equipment or struck by falling objects.
- Chemical burns from exposure to corrosive substances cause severe tissue damage.
- Hearing loss from explosions can be permanent and disabling.
- Wrongful death claims arise when gas field accidents prove fatal.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Gas Field Accident
Multiple parties may be responsible for your injuries, and Abel Law Firm investigates all potential sources of liability to maximize your recovery. These can include:
- Gas well operators and drilling companies have primary responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions.
- Equipment manufacturers bear liability for defective products that cause injuries.
- Contractors and subcontractors may be liable for negligent work or failure to follow safety protocols.
- Equipment maintenance companies are responsible for properly servicing and repairing equipment.
- Safety equipment suppliers can be held liable for defective protective gear.
- Employers who failed to provide proper training or protective equipment bear responsibility for resulting injuries.
Identifying all liable parties is important because each party may carry insurance coverage. Abel Law Firm conducts thorough investigations to identify every potential defendant and maximize the compensation available to you. We work with construction accident specialists and workplace injury attorneys to build comprehensive cases.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Many gas field workers believe workers’ compensation is their only legal option after an accident. However, you may have additional legal claims against third parties responsible for your accident, and these claims can provide substantially greater compensation. Understanding the difference between workers’ compensation and third-party liability is critical.
- Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits but doesn’t require proving fault. You receive medical coverage and a portion of lost wages, but you cannot recover damages for pain and suffering or permanent disability.
- Third-party claims allow you to recover additional damages, including pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and punitive damages in cases of reckless disregard or intentional and malicious conduct. These claims require proving that someone other than your employer was negligent or responsible for your accident.
Abel Law Firm handles both types of claims to ensure you receive maximum compensation. We pursue workers’ compensation benefits while simultaneously investigating third-party liability. Learn more about compensation through third-party gas field claims in Oklahoma. Many gas field accidents involve multiple defendants—equipment manufacturers, contractors, and safety equipment suppliers—each potentially liable for your injuries. We identify every source of liability and pursue every available claim on your behalf.
Damages You Can Recover
When you file a gas field accident claim, you may be entitled to recover comprehensive damages that address both your immediate and long-term needs.
- Medical expenses include hospitalization, surgery, emergency care, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages cover the income you lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Lost earning capacity addresses your reduced ability to earn income in the future if your injuries cause permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement damages address permanent changes to your body and appearance.
- Home care and rehabilitation costs cover the assistance you need to perform daily activities.
- Wrongful death benefits provide compensation to family members if your loved one died in a gas field accident.
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical expenses, the length of your recovery, and the impact on your future earning ability. Our landmark $15 million oil field verdict demonstrates our ability to recover substantial compensation for catastrophic injuries. For more details, see wrongful death claims for oil and gas field accidents in Oklahoma. We also help clients understand how personal injury settlements are paid out.
What to Do After a Gas Field Accident
Taking the right steps immediately after your accident protects your health and your legal claim. Seek immediate medical attention and document all injuries. Report the accident to your employer and OSHA as required by law. Gather witness information and contact details from anyone who saw the accident. Take photos of the accident scene and equipment involved. Do not sign any documents without legal review—employers and insurance companies may ask you to sign documents that limit your legal rights. Contact Abel Law Firm for a free consultation as soon as possible.
The sooner you contact our Tulsa gas field accident attorneys, the sooner we can begin investigating your accident, preserving evidence, and protecting your legal rights. Evidence can disappear quickly, and witnesses’ memories fade over time. Early investigation is important to building a strong case. Learn about injuries in a gas field explosion and how to file a lawsuit in Oklahoma. Understanding what documents you need for your personal injury case can also help protect your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a gas field accident claim in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury. However, certain circumstances may extend or shorten this deadline. If you were unaware of your injury, the deadline may begin when you discovered the injury rather than when the accident occurred. Contact Abel Law Firm immediately to protect your rights and ensure you file within the applicable deadline. For more information, see our guide on the statute of limitations for gas field injury claims in Oklahoma.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Oklahoma follows comparative fault rules. Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you could recover 80%. Abel Law Firm fights to minimize your liability and maximize your recovery by presenting evidence of the defendant’s negligence and responsibility for the accident. Learn more about how comparative negligence affects your personal injury claim.
How much is my gas field accident case worth?
The value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impact on your life and earning ability. Catastrophic injuries involving permanent disability or disfigurement command higher settlements than less severe injuries. Our landmark $15 million oil field verdict demonstrates our ability to recover substantial compensation for catastrophic injuries. We evaluate each case individually based on the specific facts and circumstances. See our results page for more case outcomes.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle before trial, but Abel Law Firm prepares every case for trial. Our trial experience and track record give us leverage in negotiations and ensure you receive fair compensation. Insurance companies know we are willing and able to take cases to trial, which motivates them to offer reasonable settlements. If a fair settlement is not available, we are prepared to present your case to a jury. Learn about settling vs. going to court for your personal injury claim.
Contact Abel Law Firm for Your Free Consultation
Don’t wait to protect your rights; hire our firm now. Gas field accidents cause serious injuries that require experienced legal representation. Abel Law Firm offers free consultations with no obligation. Call (918) 777-7046 today or contact us online to discuss your case. Our Tulsa office is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
