Maison Law can guide you through the claims process after an oil field accident in Santa Maria. Oil field work comes with serious risks. Between heavy machinery, chemicals, and high-pressure equipment, even a small mistake can change your life quickly. If you’re injured, your first focus should be your health. Once you’re safe, it’s important to understand your rights and options. Get started by setting up a free consultation with us today.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Even though an accident at work–particularly in the oil fields–is incredibly stressful, you still aren’t legally required to get a lawyer. But as you might expect, that doesn’t mean you don’t need one. Multiple companies, contractors, and agencies often share responsibility for running a single site, making it tricky to figure out who’s responsible and what even happened. That’s when you need things to be simplified and handled, and that’s exactly what our team at Maison Law does by:
- Explaining your options and what your rights are.
- Gathering evidence and information to figure out what happened and who’s responsible.
- Handling talks with your employer or insurance companies.
- Helping you file a claim and getting the financial support you need to get better.
Some injuries are easy to spot right away, like broken bones, burns, or crush injuries. Others—such as chemical exposure, breathing in harmful fumes, or strain from repetitive work—might not show up until days or weeks later. No matter what happens, though, our team will be there to help you with the next steps.
Oil Fields and Companies in the Santa Maria Area
Santa Maria has a long history of oil production, and several major fields are still active in the area, including:
- Orcutt Oil Field
- Santa Maria Oil Field
- Cat Canyon Oil Field
- Los Alamos Oil Field
These fields are operated by major companies that manage both production and facilities, and companies include:
- Aera Energy
- Chevron
- California Resources Corporation (CRC)
- Plains All American Pipeline
On top of the big oil companies, there are usually contractors, subcontractors, and staffing agencies working side by side on the fields. Sometimes it’s a temporary crew handling just one part of the job. When an accident happens, that mix of different employers can make it harder to figure out who’s responsible. The good news? It’s not impossible with the right information.
What Information Should I Try to Get After My Accident?
After your accident, certain types of information can make a big difference in supporting your claim. The goal is to show what happened, how it happened, and how it’s impacted (and will continue to impact) you. Some of the most important information includes:
- Your version of what happened – Write down when and where the accident happened, what you were doing, and what went wrong.
- People who saw it – Names and numbers of coworkers or others who witnessed the accident or noticed unsafe conditions.
- Medical records – Doctor visits, hospital notes, test results, prescriptions, and therapy instructions.
- Pictures or videos – Shots of the scene, the equipment involved, and your injuries as they heal (or get worse).
- Work and pay information – Pay stubs, schedules, and timesheets that show how much work and income you lost.
- Hazards – Anything unsafe you noticed, like broken ladders, slick floors, or missing safety gear.
- Messages about the accident – Emails or texts between you and supervisors or HR that mention the accident or safety issues.
You don’t have to collect everything by yourself. Some of this information is in your hands, like photos, notes, or pay records. But other pieces—like official accident reports, safety logs, or equipment records—are controlled by the company and can be harder for you to get on your own. That’s where having a lawyer helps. We know how to request those documents, follow up with employers and insurance companies, and make sure nothing gets overlooked.
Why Do Accidents Happen on Santa Maria Oil Fields?
Working the oil fields in Santa Maria means dealing with heavy equipment, long hours, and tough conditions. Most accidents don’t happen out of nowhere—they usually trace back to a safety step that was skipped or a hazard that got overlooked. Here are some of the most common ways things go wrong:
- Worn-out or faulty equipment – When your equipment isn’t kept in good working order or safety gear isn’t replaced, even a small failure can cause a major injury.
- Chemical and fume exposure – Fuels, solvents, and gases are part of the job. Without the right protections, these can lead to burns, breathing problems, or long-term health concerns.
- Falls from height or unstable footing – Scaffolds without guardrails, slick surfaces, or cluttered work zones make falls a regular risk.
- Overworked or undertrained crews – Long shifts and high-pressure deadlines can push people past their limits, leading to errors that put everyone at risk.
- Hazards that get ignored – A loose ladder rung, a frayed cord, or a blocked exit might not seem urgent—but when no one speaks up, those small issues often grow into big accidents.
- Poor communication – When supervisors and workers aren’t on the same page, tasks get rushed or done incorrectly, leaving gaps in safety.
Sometimes an accident leaves obvious injuries right away. Other times, problems like chemical exposure or repetitive strain take weeks to show up. Either way, when someone doesn’t take your safety seriously, it gives you certain options for getting help. But it starts with figuring out who exactly is responsible.
Who’s Responsible When I’m Hurt in an Accident?
When you get hurt in the oil fields, it’s easy to think your employer is the only one responsible. But oil fields bring a lot of moving parts—and sometimes responsibility is shared. Here’s how it usually plays out:
- The company running the site – They’re in charge of safety overall. If equipment is outdated, training is weak, or hazards are ignored, the company may be to blame.
- Supervisors – A foreman pushing crews to rush or cut corners can put everyone in danger.
- Other workers – Mistakes happen. If a coworker’s careless action led to your injury, that matters too.
- Equipment makers – If a machine or piece of safety gear failed because it was poorly made, the manufacturer could be held accountable.
- Outside contractors – Oil fields rely on outside crews. If one of them skipped safety steps and caused the accident, they may share the blame.
- Inspectors or agencies – Rare, but sometimes safety violations are overlooked during inspections. If that led to your accident, the government agency in charge can come into play.
- Staffing agencies – If you came through a temp agency and weren’t properly trained, that agency could carry some responsibility.
Every accident has its own story. Sometimes it’s clear who dropped the ball, other times it takes digging through records and witness statements to see the bigger picture. What’s important is this: you shouldn’t be left paying the price when others failed to keep the job safe.
What Options Do I Have After an Oil Field Injury?
An oil field accident doesn’t just hurt your body—it can shake up your whole life. Medical bills, lost paychecks, stress on your family—it all adds up fast. The good news is, you have options. Which one makes sense depends on how the accident happened and who you were working for.
- Workers’ Compensation – If you’re an employee, this is usually the first step. You file a claim with your company’s workers’ comp insurance provider. This allows you to get certain benefits like:
- Necessary medical care and bills
- A portion of your lost income while you’re out
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits
The good thing about workers’ comp is that you don’t have to prove fault. The catch? It often doesn’t cover everything, especially if your injuries affect you long term.
- Injury claim – If someone other than your employer caused the accident—like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or even another worker—you may be able to file a claim against them. This can cover more than workers’ comp, including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
Sometimes, you can take care of things with just a workers’ comp claim, but other times, it’s going to take both workers’ comp and a personal injury claim. Our team will be there to guide you through either, or both, processes if that’s what it takes to get what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the deadline to file a claim?
It depends on the type of claim. For workers’ comp, you have to report the injury within 30 days and you have up to a year to file. For an injury claim, you have two years from the date of the accident itself.
What if I’m a contractor, not an employee?
You may not be able to file for workers’ comp, but you can often file a personal injury claim instead.
Can I lose my job for filing a claim?
No. California law says that employers are not allowed to “retaliate” against you for reporting bad conditions or filing a claim. If you’re fired, laid off, or otherwise treated unfairly after you file your claim, you might have a separate employment claim.
Get Help After a Santa Maria Oil Field Accident
One minute you’re on the job in the oil fields around Santa Maria, the next you’re dealing with injuries, doctor visits, and worries about your paycheck. You don’t have to go through this alone. At Maison Law, we’ve helped oil field workers and their families sort through what happened and take the right steps forward. If you’ve been injured, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options and help you protect your future.
