Maison Law can help you if you work at a Southern California Gas Company site and are injured. It might not feel like it, but you actually have options for getting better. But the process is rarely straightforward in these types of accidents. Our team can sort through it all and guide you. Set up your free consultation today.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer?
Most people don’t plan to call a lawyer when something goes wrong at work. But after a serious accident at a SoCal Gas site, the system isn’t always built to make things easy. You might report your injury and expect support, only to find the paperwork confusing, your medical care delayed, or your claim questioned.
That’s when you need help cutting through that noise, and that’s the main reason why you would need a lawyer. Our team can make sure:
- Your claim includes the right details
- Track down maintenance logs or inspection records
- Talk to witnesses who might back up your story if the company or its insurance company pushes back— or says your injury wasn’t “work-related” or trying to minimize your benefits.
You don’t need to go through the whole process alone. We know how complicated things get after oil and gas site accidents, and we know how to make the process less stressful while you focus on getting better. And that often starts with getting the right information and evidence.
What Information Can I Get to Make My Claim Stronger?
No matter what your job is on-site or even who you work for, accidents can happen in a split-second. At that point, your priority should be your health and safety. But once everything has calmed down, you’ll want to look forward–and that starts with getting the right information for a potential claim. Here’s what can help:
- Photos or videos of the scene—like damaged valves, spills, or broken equipment.
- Your medical records, especially if they mention the specific chemicals or injuries you were exposed to.
- Witness accounts, whether from coworkers or supervisors who saw what happened.
- Safety inspection reports or maintenance logs that might show a pattern of missed checks.
- Emails or texts about repairs, safety issues, or shift problems leading up to the accident.
You don’t have to have everything on your own—that’s part of what we can help with. But knowing what evidence exists can give your claim more weight, especially if negligence played a role in what happened. That also influences how the claims process will play out.
What Kind of Claim Might I Need to File?
Once you’re injured in an accident at your worksite, everything seems like it’s spinning out of control. But you have options–although they depend on a couple different factors like who you actually work for and whether or not your injuries happened because of someone else’s negligence.
With that, here’s the kinds of claims you can file and when you should:
- Workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is usually where things start. If you’re a SoCal Gas employee, this system helps cover your:
- Medical care and rehab related to your injuries.
- Part of your lost income while you recover.
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits if you can’t go back to the same job.
The best part? You don’t have to prove anyone was at fault to qualify—just that your injury happened while you were working. But these benefits might not cover everything. That’s where a personal injury claim might come in.
- Personal injury claim. These claims apply when someone else’s negligence—like a contractor, maintenance company, or equipment manufacturer—played a part in your injury. It’s the same kind of claim you’d file if the accident had happened off the job. Whether it’s handled through an insurance claim or a lawsuit, it lets you go after additional financial support for things workers’ comp doesn’t fully cover, like:
- Ongoing or future medical treatment
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Repair or replacement of damaged tools or equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and related expenses in fatal cases
In some cases, you might even be able to file both types of claims. It really depends on how the accident happened and who was involved. That’s why understanding the root cause—and whether negligence played a role—is such an important next step.
Why Do Accidents Happen at Southern California Gas Sites?
At gas storage and transmission sites, danger often comes down to one thing: something that should’ve been maintained, monitored, or repaired—wasn’t. Here’s how that–and other things–can cause accidents that leave you injured:
- Equipment breakdowns happen when valves or pumps aren’t properly serviced, leading to bursts, leaks, or fires.
- Chemical exposure often results from poor ventilation or missing protective gear, leaving workers with burns or respiratory problems.
- Slips and falls can happen on oily or uneven surfaces, sometimes from rushed cleanup or worn grating.
- Fatigue sets in after long or rotating shifts, making it harder to stay alert.
- Neglected safety checks allow small issues — like a corroded pipe or a weak pressure seal — to turn into major accidents.
When those things happen, it’s rarely just “bad luck.” More often, it’s the result of decisions that could have been handled differently. And if that negligence caused your injury, you have every right to hold someone accountable–or at the very least get help until you can get back to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I file for workers’ compensation?
You can file for workers’ comp within days of your accident. All you have to do is ask for the claim form, complete it, and then your employer has to submit it to their workers’ comp insurance carrier.
What if my symptoms show up later?
Some injuries — especially those involving chemicals, heat exposure, or repetitive strain — take time to appear. You can still file once a doctor confirms it’s work-related.
Do I need to prove it was the company’s fault?
Not for workers’ comp. But if you’re filing a personal injury claim, showing negligence does matter — and a lawyer can help gather the evidence to do that.
Get Help From Maison Law After a Southern California Gas Company Accident
If you work for Southern California Gas Company or one of its contractors, you already know the job isn’t simple. Whether it’s maintaining pipelines near Playa del Rey, checking pressure valves around Aliso Canyon, or monitoring storage equipment out by Goleta, every shift brings its own kind of risk.
But when something goes wrong—a leak, an explosion, or a mechanical failure—it can throw your whole life off balance. Suddenly, you’re not just thinking about the job. Our California oil field accident lawyers at Maison Law will be there to guide you through the process. Set up a free consultation today and let us help you get back to work.
