Maison Law can guide you through the claims process when you’re hurt at work at an oil field operated by the Termo Company in California. Facing a typical work day at one of these sites is hard enough without an accident, but when one does happen, it feels like everything is working against you. Our team can stand up for your rights. Set up a free consultation today.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
It’s a fair question. Most people don’t start out thinking they’ll ever need legal help after an accident. But once you’re hurt on an oil field, things get complicated fast. You might hear conflicting information from your supervisor, HR, or a company adjuster. They might tell you your injury isn’t “work-related” or that you have to use a certain doctor. You might even feel pressured not to report it at all.
Here’s where a lawyer can make a real difference—not by turning your situation into a legal battle, but by making sure you’re protected while you recover. Our team can:
- Make sense of the paperwork.
- Find out what really caused your injury.
- Handle pushback from insurance.
- Look beyond workers’ comp.
It’s not about creating trouble — it’s about making sure you don’t get left with bills, lost wages, or long-term effects that should have been covered. And the starting point for that is getting the right information.
What Information Will I Need to Get for a Strong Claim?
When you get hurt at work, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is gathering records and information. Rightfully so, since your first priority should always be your health. But the reality is that a big part of your recovery is going to hinge on keeping track of a few key things that show what really happened and how it’s affecting you:
- Safety problems or maintenance issues. If a hazard was ignored or equipment wasn’t working right, note it or get copies of any maintenance reports. These details help prove the accident could have been prevented.
- Medical records and follow-up care. Keep everything — ER paperwork, therapy notes, prescriptions, and discharge instructions. They help connect your injury directly to your work.
- Photos or videos from the site. A few quick shots on your phone can capture what conditions looked like right after the accident — before anything gets cleaned up or fixed.
- Texts or emails about the accident. Communication with supervisors, coworkers, or HR can show what was reported, when, and how seriously it was taken.
- Witness information. If someone saw what happened, get their name and number. Their memory could confirm key details later.
- Pay records or timesheets. These help prove your lost income or reduced hours while you recover.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything on this list. Our team can help track down the rest—like internal safety logs, inspection records, or video footage that might not be available to you directly. And once everything is put together, you can start the next phase: filing your claim.
What Type of Claim Should I File?
The problem with oil field accidents like ones that happen at the Termo Company sites is that they don’t fit neatly into a box. This is where things can start to get complicated — especially at The Termo Company, where job sites often involve several different contractors working side by side. The type of claim you can file depends on who you work for and how your injury happened.
- Workers’ compensation. If you’re a Termo employee, or on the payroll of one of its subcontractors, you’re probably covered under California’s workers’ compensation system. That means you can file a claim to get benefits such as:
- Medical treatment for your injury
- Partial wage replacement through temporary disability (TD) benefits while you’re off work
- Long-term or permanent disability benefits if your injury doesn’t fully heal
You don’t need to prove that anyone was careless — only that you got hurt while doing your job. The catch is that workers’ comp only covers certain things, and those payments eventually stop (usually after about 104 weeks). If you’re still recovering or facing bigger losses, you may need to explore other options.
- Injury claim. If another company, contractor, or even an equipment manufacturer played a role in what happened, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. This can cover things workers’ comp doesn’t, like:
- Ongoing or future medical care
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Out-of-pocket costs from your injury
- Pain, stress, and emotional strain
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
Sometimes these claims overlap — and that’s where it helps to have someone who knows how both systems work together. At the end of the day, it all depends on how the accident happened and who was responsible. That’s why figuring out the root cause is the best place to start.
What Usually Causes Accidents at The Termo Company Fields?
If you’ve ever worked a shift at a Termo site, you know how everything depends on timing, teamwork, and properly maintained equipment. One missed inspection, one faulty valve, or one overloaded shift can change everything. Most of the injuries we see from Termo and similar operations come back to the same few problems:
- Worn-out or poorly maintained equipment
- Pressure build-ups or valve failures
- Slippery or unstable work surfaces
- Incomplete safety training or lack of supervision
- Long shifts and fatigue leading to simple but costly mistakes
Even when you’ve done everything right, the environment itself can put you at risk. That’s why documenting what went wrong is so important—it can help reveal whether a safety standard was ignored or an employer cut corners that led to your injury.
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 open the door to a separate retaliation claim.
Can I still file if I didn’t realize I was hurt right away?
Yes. Some injuries—like back strain, repetitive motion issues, or chemical exposure—show up slowly. Once a doctor links it to your job, you can file a claim.
How long do I have to file a claim?
For workers’ comp, you have to report your injury within 30 days and have up to one year to file. For an injury claim, you have two years.
Contact Maison Law After an Accident at a Termo Company Oil Field in California
If you were injured while working at a The Termo Company oil field, our California oil field accident lawyers at Maison Law can step in to review what happened, collect the missing pieces, and make sure your claim is backed by solid evidence.
It all starts with a free consultation. Just a conversation about where things stand and what we can do to help you move forward. Set up yours today.
