Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured on the job at an Aera Energy oil field in California. Working in oil fields—especially at large operations like Aera Energy—means handling tough work under demanding conditions. Between the heavy machinery, long shifts, and constant motion, things can go wrong in a split second. When something happens, we’ll be there to help you through a claim. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
You’re not required to have a lawyer after a workplace accident—but it can make things much easier, especially at large sites like Aera’s. Even though Aera might own the actual site, there’s still several companies working side by side: contractors, maintenance crews, suppliers, and equipment teams. When something goes wrong, it can be hard to know exactly what happened or how to make sure you’re fully covered for your medical care and time away from work. That’s when you should think about getting a lawyer, and our team can step in and help by:
- Explaining your options and how the process works
- Collecting information and records about what happened
- Communicating with employers, insurance companies, and claims adjusters
- Helping you file your claim and get the benefits or payments you’re owed
Some injuries—like broken bones, burns, or cuts—show up right away. Others, such as chemical exposure or strain from repetitive work, might take time to develop. No matter how it happened, our job is to make sure you’re not left trying to figure things out alone.
What Should I Try to Gather After My Accident?
When you’re hurt at an oil field, everything feels like it moves fast and slow at the same time. And while your first priority is always your health and safety, the details also matter. To that end, the information that’s available–and some that might not be right now–can be very important to a potential claim. Here’s what you should try to gather:
- What happened. Write down the date and time of your injury and describe what you were doing when it happened.
- Who was there. Include the names of any coworkers or witnesses who saw what happened.
- Medical records. Keep copies of your doctor visits, test results, prescriptions, and any follow-up instructions.
- Photos or videos. Take pictures or short videos of the area where you were hurt, the equipment involved, and your injuries as they heal.
- Work records. Save your pay stubs, timesheets, or schedules to show the days you missed work.
- Unsafe conditions. Make a note of anything that seemed unsafe—like slippery floors, broken ladders, or missing safety gear.
- Messages about the accident. Keep any texts or emails between you and your supervisor about what happened.
Don’t stress if you can’t get everything yourself. Some information—like maintenance reports or internal safety records—isn’t easy to access on your own. Our team knows how to request those and make sure nothing important gets missed.
Why Do Accidents Happen at Oil Fields Like Aera’s?
Companies like Aera Energy didn’t get where they are by shirking the safety of their (and other) workers. But the reality is that it doesn’t take much for something to go wrong working in the environment. Here’s what can cause an accident:
- Equipment that isn’t working properly or hasn’t been serviced in a while
- Exposure to fuels, solvents, or gases that can cause burns or breathing problems
- Slippery surfaces, uneven platforms, or open areas where a fall can happen
- Fatigue from long shifts or high-pressure deadlines
- Communication breakdowns between teams or supervisors
It’s rarely about one person’s mistake. More often, it’s a mix of small things that add up over time. What matters now is figuring out what went wrong—so you can get the help you need and keep it from happening again.
Who’s Legally Responsible When I’m Injured at an Aera Energy Oil Field?
Oil field work is rarely straightforward. Aera might manage the site, but there are usually multiple teams and companies working side by side. You might have contractors maintaining pipelines, vendors delivering parts, and inspectors checking safety standards—all on the same site.
That overlap can make it confusing to know who’s responsible when you get hurt. It all comes down to negligence and who exactly you were working for at the time. This opens it up to:
- The company itself, which runs the site and oversees safety protocols
- Supervisors who handle day-to-day operations
- Outside contractors working in the same area
- Equipment makers if a part failed
- Staffing agencies that placed workers without proper training
You don’t have to untangle all that on your own. Our job isn’t to assign blame—it’s to help you understand where your injury fits into the bigger picture and what your options are for recovery.
What Are My Options After an Oil Field Injury?
There’s very real issues that come up when you get hurt at work, and it’s not limited to your medical bills or paycheck. But you do have options for getting financial help–although it depends on whether you’re a full-time employee with Aera or a contractor (in most cases.) Here’s a quick look:
- Workers’ compensation claim – If you’re a direct employee, your first step is usually a workers’ compensation claim, which can help cover:
- Related medical care and rehabilitation
- A portion of your lost wages
- Disability benefits–eiither temporary if you can’t work for a while or permanent if you’re more seriously injured.
You don’t have to prove anyone was at fault to receive workers’ comp—but the catch is that it may not cover everything. That’s where your other options come in.
- Injury claim – In some cases, someone outside your employer’s company might also share responsibility. For example, if a piece of equipment failed or a contractor’s mistake caused your injury. This is the traditional injury claim route, where you file an insurance claim out of court or a personal injury lawsuit in court. The goal is to get full “damages” for your:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost or reduced earning ability
- Repair/replacement costs for work gear or other personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
Sometimes both options apply, and we can walk you through each step to make sure nothing is missed. But ultimately, it’s about putting everything together for the strongest claim possible so you can get back on your feet. That’s where our team can be extremely helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after I’m hurt at work?
Start by getting medical attention, even if the injury seems minor. Then report what happened to your supervisor as soon as possible and make notes about the details while they’re still fresh. The sooner you speak up, the easier it is to connect your injury to your job.
What if my supervisor told me not to file a report?
That happens more often than it should. But under California law, you have every right to report an injury. If someone tries to discourage you or make you feel like you’ll lose hours or your job, that could be retaliation—and you may have a separate claim for that.
Do I have to use the company’s doctor?
At first, yes—the workers’ comp insurance company can require you to see a doctor from their network. But after a certain point, you can usually switch to your own doctor. It’s worth talking with a lawyer early so you understand when and how that change can happen.
Get Help After an Injury at an Aera Energy Oil Field in California
When you’re injured on the job—especially at a large, complex site like an Aera Energy field—it’s easy to feel unsure about what comes next. Between doctor visits, medical bills, and time away from work, it can all feel like too much. Our California oil field accident lawyers at Maison Law will be there to guide and support you through it all. Set up a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.
