Maison Law can help you if you work in the oil fields around Santa Monica and you’ve been injured in an accident. It’s a situation no worker wants to be in, but with such a potentially dangerous job, it can happen. What makes the difference is when it’s caused by somebody being careless and not prioritizing your safety. To learn about your options, reach out today for a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Working in Santa Monica’s oil fields is tough. Heavy machinery, high-pressure equipment, and chemicals make even small mistakes dangerous. If you’re hurt, dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty can be overwhelming—but having someone on your side can make a real difference. At Maison Law, we help workers just like you:
- Understand whether workers’ comp, a personal injury claim, or both fits your situation
- Investigate accidents, talk to witnesses, and document unsafe conditions
- Handle insurance adjusters and company representatives who might try to minimize your claim
Some injuries are obvious—burns, crush injuries, or falls. Others, like chemical exposure, inhalation of hazardous substances, or repetitive strain, may take weeks or months to show up. But no matter what the circumstances are, a way to get things off to a strong start is by getting information.
What Information Helps Build a Strong Claim After My Oil Field Accident?
Accidents happen in a split second. One minute you’re inspecting a pump, climbing scaffolding, or moving heavy equipment—and the next, you’re injured. While your first focus should always be your health, collecting key information is important for how things go from here. Here’s what you should try to get:
- Incident reports – Writing down the date, time, location, and exactly what happened helps create a clear record of the accident. Ask your employer for a copy of any official report—they’re often required to file one, and having your own copy protects your side of the story.
- Witness accounts – Even just a few people who saw the accident or unsafe conditions can make a big difference. Get their names and contact info so they can confirm what happened if needed later.
- Medical records – Every doctor’s note, test result, prescription, treatment plan, or therapy record helps show how serious your injuries are—and how they’ve affected your life over time. Keeping everything organized makes it easier to prove your case.
- Photos and videos – Capturing the scene, any equipment involved, safety gear, and your injuries gives a visual record of what happened. Taking updates over time also shows how your injury impacts your daily life and recovery.
- Work and pay records –Your pay stubs, schedules, and timesheets show exactly how your injury affected your income and ability to work. These details are key if you’re claiming lost wages.
- Noting of safety hazards – If you saw broken scaffolding, slippery surfaces, or missing protective gear before or during the accident, write it down. This shows a pattern of unsafe conditions that led up to your injury.
- Work communications – Emails, texts, or reports with supervisors, management, or insurance representatives can show how the accident was reported and handled. They help document that you raised concerns and that the company was aware of the situation.
If your injuries make it hard to gather records and evidence, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team can step in to collect accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and anything else that matters. We make sure nothing gets overlooked, so your claim stays strong. That way, you can focus on getting better while we handle the details.
How Do Accidents Happen in the Oil Fields Around Santa Monica?
One of the hardest things about working in the oil fields around Santa Monica is that accidents–both big and small–can happen in a split-second. But one of teh most common threads between all these accidents is one thing: your safety not being made the priority. This leads to a lot of different accident situations caused by:
- Slips, trips, and falls from oil slicks, uneven ground, ladders, and cluttered work areas
- Leaks, splashes, or stray sparks from fuel, gas, chemicals, and other harmful substances
- Unsafe operation of pumps, drills, conveyors, and other machinery
- Platforms, scaffolding, or rigs without proper fall protection
- Broken ladders, scaffolds, or faulty safety gear
- Rushed jobs, ignored warnings, unmarked hazards, or insufficient training
Even injuries that seem minor can worsen if not treated quickly. Delaying reports or documentation also makes it harder to hold the right people accountable.
What Are Some of the Oil Fields Around Santa Monica?
Some of the oil fields near Santa Monica include:
- Inglewood Oil Field
- Venice Oil Field
- Salt Lake Oil Field
- Los Angeles City Oil Field
Some companies that operate in or around these fields include California Resources Corporation (CRC), Venoco, Plains All American Pipeline, and Aera Energy.
What Are My Options for Filing a Claim After My Accident?
Getting hurt on the job is stressful enough as it is–let alone when it happens in a workplace as tough as an oil field. You’re juggling pain, medical bills, and time away from work. But California law gives you multiple paths for getting help–mostly depending on your employment status and what caused your accident:
- Workers’ Compensation – For full-time employees of an oil company or contractors employed directly by them, workers’ comp insurance provides benefits when there’s an injury. By filling out the form, you can start receiving benefits like:
- Necessary medical expenses
- Partial income replacement
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits
- Injury claim – If you’re not a full-time employee (which happens often in the industry), you can file a civil claim to cover your “damages.” This is the same process as what happens with a car accident or some other type of accident, which means you have to prove negligence. With that hurdle cleared, you can file either an insurance claim out of court or a personal injury lawsuit. It provides financial support for your:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income or reduced earning potential
- Repair/replacement of damaged equipment or personal items
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral expenses in fatal accidents
Workers’ comp focuses on getting you covered quickly without proving fault. Civil claims are about proving someone else caused the accident—and can lead to fuller recovery. Acting quickly is crucial: workers’ comp claims must be reported within 30 days, and personal injury claims generally have a two-year window from the accident.
Who Pays For My Damages in a Claim?
When you get hurt on an oil field, the question isn’t just who caused the accident—it’s who can be held financially responsible for your injuries. This is called “liability”, and it sets the legal responsibility of who has to pay for your damages. That could include:
- Oil field owners or operators – They’re expected to provide safe equipment, proper training, and protective gear. If they fall short, they can be on the hook.
- Managers or supervisors – Rushing work, ignoring hazards, or giving unsafe instructions can make them partially liable.
- Coworkers – If someone else’s careless or reckless actions contributed to the accident, they may share responsibility.
- Equipment manufacturers – Broken or defective tools, machinery, or safety gear could mean the maker is responsible.
- Government inspectors or agencies – Missed inspections or overlooked safety violations can create unsafe conditions and potential liability.
- Contractors or property owners – Any outside company whose negligence contributed to the hazard could also be responsible.
- Staffing agencies or subcontractors – Failing to provide proper oversight, training, or safety protocols can make them partly liable.
The bottom line is that anyone who had control over your safety and didn’t act could end up paying for your damages. This is ultimately what’s going to help you get better, and our team will make sure your claim for these damages is strong throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after my accident?
Get medical care first. Then report the accident and document the scene if you can.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Workers’ comp claims must be reported within 30 days and filed within one year of the accident. Personal injury claims generally have a two-year window to file.
Can my family file a claim if the accident is fatal?
Yes. They may be able to get death benefits through workers’ comp, but a “wrongful death” claim in civil court can get fuller damages.
Reach Out to Maison Law After a Santa Monica Oil Field Accident
Being hurt at a Santa Monica area oil field isn’t just a part of the job. No matter what your job is or who you work for, you have a right to a safe workplace and fair treatment. When that doesn’t happen, and you end up injured, Maison Law can help you through the claims process. Don’t wait–reach out today to set up a free consultation to get your claim started.
