Maison Law can help you through the claims process when you’re injured at a Matrix Oil Company field in California. There’s no easy way to approach one of these accidents. It knocks your whole life off-balance. But there’s a few different ways that you can recover, and our team can guide you through it. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
When Should I Talk to a Lawyer?
From Ventura County to Santa Barbara and beyond, Matrix Oil Company fields aren’t quiet job sites. You’ve got employees, subcontractors, and service crews all working side by side, each playing a part in keeping production moving. But when something goes wrong — a line bursts, a platform gives way, or a safety step gets missed—everything stops. You’re left injured, worried about your next paycheck, and unsure what to do next. That’s when you should think about talking to a lawyer, and our team will be there to:
- Explain your options and how the process will work
- Take your information and evidence and put it all together
- Handle talks with your employer or their insurance companies
- Look at options beyond a workers’ compensation claim
Talking to us isn’t about stirring up trouble, it’s about having someone to watch out for your side of things. And while you have options, you first need to understand what your claim will be built on.
What Can Form a Solid Foundation For My Claim?
Any strong claim has one thing in common: a solid foundation. But When you get hurt working at a Matrix Oil Company field, your first thought probably isn’t about paperwork. You’re focused on getting help, getting home, and figuring out what happens next. That’s exactly how it should be—your health comes first. But once things settle down, there’s one simple truth: the details you hold onto now will help protect you later:
- Papers about safety problems or maintenance issues. If something wasn’t working right—like a pump, valve, or rig — or a known hazard was ignored, make a note or ask for copies of any maintenance or inspection reports. These show that your injury could have been prevented with proper care.
- Medical records and follow-up care. Hang onto every piece of medical paperwork—ER discharge notes, prescriptions, physical therapy records, and doctor’s follow-ups. These documents connect your injury directly to your work at the Matrix site.
- Pictures and/or videos from the site. If you can, take a few photos right after the incident or ask a coworker to help. Those images can capture what the scene looked like before equipment was repaired or the area was cleaned.
- Texts or emails about the accident. Messages to or from supervisors, safety leads, or coworkers can show what was reported, when, and how seriously it was taken.
- Witness statements. If anyone saw what happened, get their name and number. Their statements can back up your version of events when memories fade or stories change.
- Pay records or timesheets. Your pay stubs and timecards help document how the injury has affected your income — whether you’ve missed shifts or had to take lighter duty.
Don’t stress if you don’t have everything on this list. A big part of what our team does is help fill in the blanks—from tracking down internal safety reports to requesting inspection logs or even video footage from the field. Once the pieces come together, you’ll have what you need to move forward with your claim.
What Are My Options For Filing a Claim?
Oil field accidents—especially at Matrix sites—rarely fit neatly into a single category. That’s because these fields often have several different contractors and subcontractors working side by side. The type of claim you’ll file depends on who employs you and how the accident happened. Generally, though, you have two main options:
- Workers’ compensation claim. If you’re directly employed by Matrix Oil Company, or working full-time for one of its contractors, you’re most likely covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This claim doesn’t require you to prove anyone was careless—only that you were injured while doing your job. Once you file your claim, you can start getting benefits that cover:
- Medical care for your injury
- Partial wage replacement while you recover (temporary disability benefits)
- Long-term or permanent disability benefits if your injury doesn’t fully heal
It’s designed to help you get back on your feet without having to prove fault. But it also has limits—it won’t always cover everything, and the benefits eventually stop (often after about 104 weeks). If your medical needs or financial losses continue beyond that, you might have another option.
- Civil injury claim. If another company, contractor, or even an equipment manufacturer played a role in what happened, you can file a civil injury claim. This type of claim allows you to recover for things that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, such as:
- Ongoing or future medical care
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
In many Matrix field accidents, both types of claims can overlap—but at the end of the day, everything starts with one question: what caused your injury? Once that’s clear, the right path forward becomes much easier to see.
What Usually Causes Accidents at Matrix Oil Fields?
No matter what Matrix Oil site you work at—whether it’s in Ventura, Santa Barbara County, or the Coalinga fields—you already know how much depends on timing, teamwork, and properly maintained equipment. One rushed inspection, one missed repair, or one small miscommunication can change everything in seconds.The most common causes of oil field injuries we see from Matrix and similar operations usually involve things like:
- Worn-out or poorly maintained equipment. Pumps, rigs, or pressure systems can fail when they’re overdue for service.
- Valve or line failures. Pressure build-ups or faulty valves can lead to dangerous bursts and burn injuries.
- Slippery or uneven surfaces. Oil, mud, or unstable terrain make slips and falls a constant hazard.
- Incomplete safety training or lack of supervision. New or temporary workers may not be properly briefed on site-specific dangers.
- Long shifts and fatigue. Extended hours make mistakes more likely, especially toward the end of a work cycle.
- Chemical or gas exposure. Leaks or poor ventilation can cause long-term respiratory or skin damage.
Even when you’ve followed every rule and done everything right, the environment itself can still put you at risk. That’s why documenting what went wrong—and how it could’ve been prevented is so important. It not only strengthens your claim but helps make things safer for the next crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my supervisor tells me not to report my injury?
You still should. California law protects your right to report a workplace injury. If anyone pressures you not to, that could lead to a separate retaliation claim.
How long do I have to file a claim?
For workers’ comp, you must report your injury within 30 days and generally have up to one year to file your claim. For a personal injury claim, you typically have two years from the date of the accident.
What if I don’t know what caused my accident?
Our team can step in and take care of gathering all the records, video footage, and anything else that shows what happened. Then we’ll help you file a claim.
Contact Maison Law After an Accident at a Matrix Oil Company Field in California
If you were injured while working at a Matrix Oil Company site, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our California oil field accident lawyers at Maison Law can help you gather the right information, file your claim, and make sure nothing gets overlooked. Reach out today to get started.
