Maison Law helps workers that have been injured in oil field accidents in California. Working at the Eel River oil fields can be rewarding, but it’s also one of the most dangerous jobs in California. Between heavy machinery, high-pressure equipment, chemical exposure, and the rough terrain along the river, even routine tasks can become hazardous. When safety rules are ignored or equipment fails, accidents happen. That leaves you in a bad spot, but our team can help you through getting better. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer?
Being hurt on an Eel River rig is never ideal. Beyond the pain, you’re also probably dealing with medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about your future. You might not always need a lawyer, but having someone on your side can make a real difference–especially when the company is making things more difficult. Our team at Maison Law can:
- Explain whether workers’ comp, a personal injury claim, or both makes sense for your case
- Investigate your accident, talk to witnesses, and document unsafe conditions
- Handle insurance adjusters and company lawyers who may try to minimize your claim
Some injuries are obvious—burns, falls, or crush injuries from machinery. Others, like chemical exposure or repetitive strain, can take weeks or months to appear. Getting guidance early protects your rights and makes building a strong claim easier.
What Do I Need For a Strong Injury Claim After an Accident?
Accidents happen fast, no matter what your particular job is at Eel River. You could be inspecting a pump, climbing scaffolding, or moving heavy equipment one minute—and injured the next. While your first focus should always be your health, getting information is important for how your claim will eventually play out. Here’s what you should try to focus on:
- Accident details – Record the date, time, exact location, and what was happening when the accident occurred. This gives a clear snapshot of the event.
- Eyewitness statements – Names and contact info of anyone who saw the accident or unsafe conditions. Their perspective can back up your story.
- Medical records – All doctor’s notes, test results, prescriptions, treatment plans, and therapy records. These show the severity and progression of your injuries.
- Visual evidence – Photos or videos of the accident scene, machinery, safety gear, or your injuries. Updated visuals over time help show ongoing impact.
- Work and pay records – Pay stubs, schedules, and timesheets. These help show lost income and changes to your work after the injury.
- Safety observations – Hazards you noticed before or during the accident—like broken scaffolding, slippery ground, or missing protective gear. This demonstrates unsafe conditions.
- Work communications – Emails, texts, or reports with supervisors, management, or insurance reps. These document what was reported and how it was handled.
If you’re too injured to gather these yourself, our team can help collect everything to make sure nothing is missed. And while every accident is unique, there’s certain reasons why they happen.
Why Do Accidents Happen at Eel River?
Working at the Eel River oil fields is tough, and it only takes a moment for an accident to happen. Some injuries are just part of the job’s risks—but many are the result of hazards that could have been prevented. That’s why they happen, but it’s important to look at the different kinds of accidents you might have to deal with:
- Slips, trips, and falls – Whether it’s an oil slick on the ground, uneven terrain near the river, a ladder that wobbles, or a cluttered work area, one wrong step can quickly turn into a serious injury—especially when you’re carrying tools or heavy equipment.
- Burns and chemical exposure – Fuels, gases, and other chemicals are part of daily work on rigs and pipelines. A splash, a small leak, or even a stray spark can lead to serious burns or long-term health problems.
- Accidents with equipment or machinery – All the things you use on a daily basis–pumps, drills, and conveyors–are essential to your job. But if they aren’t kept up, they can crush, cut, or injure you if something malfunctions or if someone makes a mistake.
- Falls from heights – Platforms, scaffolding, and rigs without proper fall protection are risky. Even a short fall can cause broken bones, head injuries, or worse.
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment – Ladders, scaffolds, or safety gear that break or fail can turn routine work into a dangerous situation—sometimes it’s just bad luck, other times it’s a preventable problem.
- Poor safety oversight – Rushed jobs, ignored warnings, unmarked hazards, or inadequate training can all turn what should be routine tasks into serious accidents.
Even injuries that seem small at first can become much worse if not treated quickly. And if you wait too long to report what happened or document the scene, it makes it harder to hold the right people accountable later.
Which Companies Operate in Eel River?
- Chevron
- Aera Energy LLC
- Berry Petroleum Company, LLC
- Bridge Energy LLC
- Atlantic Oil Company
- California Resources Elk Hills LLC
- California Resources Production Corporation (CRC)
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Eel River Injury?
It’s easy to assume only your employer is responsible—but in an oil field, there’s a lot of different people that can share liability for what happened. What matters is:
- Who had control over your safety, and;
- Failed to act on this duty.
That could include:
- The owner or operator of the oil field – They’re in charge of keeping equipment safe, providing proper training, and giving workers the protective gear they need.
- Managers or supervisors – If they rushed a job, ignored hazards, or gave unsafe instructions, they could be partially responsible.
- Coworkers – If someone else’s careless or reckless actions contributed to the accident, they might share liability.
- Equipment manufacturers – Broken or defective tools, machinery, or safety gear can lead to accidents that aren’t your fault.
- Government inspectors or agencies – Skipped inspections or ignored violations can create unsafe conditions, which may extend liability.
- Other contractors or property owners – Any outside company whose negligence created hazards could be on the hook.
- Staffing agencies or subcontractors – If they failed to provide proper training, supervision, or safety oversight, they could also share responsibility.
Basically, anyone who had control over your safety and didn’t act could be legally responsible for what happened. And while that satisfies the legal requirements, it can be harder to untangle in real life. That’s another area where our team can help you, along with actually guiding you through the claims process.
What Are My Options for Filing a Claim After I’m Injured?
Getting hurt on the job at Eel River is stressful. You’re likely juggling pain, medical bills, and time away from work—and you’re not sure who’s responsible. California law gives you a few paths depending on your situation:
- Workers’ Compensation – If you’re a full-time employee of an oil company or anyone else that does work at Eel River, this is usually your first step. You file a claim and start receiving benefits like:
- Necessary medical bills
- A portion of lost income
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits, depending on how hurt you are
Workers’ comp doesn’t require proving fault, but there’s a catch: it often doesn’t pay for long-term pain, emotional distress, or other lasting effects of your accident.
- Civil claim – Often used by contract workers or when workers’ comp doesn’t fully cover your losses, you can file a civil claim. The drawback here is that you need to show someone else’s negligence caused your injury, which can be challenging, though not impossible. Specifically, it’s filed as an insurance claim or full lawsuit in court, but it allows you to recover fuller “damages” like:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income or reduced earning potential
- Replacement or repair of equipment or personal property
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral or burial costs in fatal cases
Workers’ comp focuses on getting you covered quickly without proving fault. Civil claims are about proving someone else caused the accident—and can result in more complete recovery. The key is acting quickly, because you only have 30 days to report an injury to file for workers’ comp and two years from the date of the accident to file a civil claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after my accident?
Get medical care first, then report it and document the scene if you can.
How long do I have to file a claim after my accident?
Report workers’ comp claims within 30 days; personal injury claims usually have a two-year window.
What if I can’t return to work at Eel River?
Workers’ comp covers some losses from your accident if you’re a full-time employee, but they have limits. So, a civil claim can help take care of your long-term needs..
Can my family file if the accident is fatal?
Yes. They may be able to file for both workers’ comp death benefits and a wrongful death claim.
How Can Maison Law Help Me After an Eel River Accident?
When you’re hurt while working in the oil fields at Eel River, the last thing you need is more confusion and uncertainty. That’s where our team at Maison Law can step in and make the entire process of getting better easier. We’ll explain your options, help you get the evidence you need, then stand up for your rights. Get started today with a free consultation.
