Maison Law can help you if you work in the oil fields around Ventura and are injured in an accident. No one signs up for an injury when they clock in, but oil field jobs come with real risks. What makes it worse is when it happens because safety wasn’t taken seriously. If you’re in this position, you don’t have to handle it by yourself—we’re here to walk you through your options. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
Oil field work is high-pressure and high-stakes. You’re around heavy machinery, unstable ground, chemicals, and nonstop activity. Even when you follow every rule, you can still get injured because someone else cut corners. Here’s when you should get a lawyer:
- Sorting out if workers’ comp, a personal injury claim, or both apply
- Gathering evidence when your employer would rather sweep things under the rug
- Talking to witnesses before memories fade
- Standing up to insurance companies that try to minimize your injuries
We’ve seen workers suffer from injuries that show up immediately—like burns, broken bones, or crushed hands. But we’ve also seen cases where the danger wasn’t clear until months later, like chemical exposure, lung damage, or repetitive stress injuries. Whether it’s sudden or slow-building, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
What Should I Save or Write Down After My Accident?
A typical accident scene in an oil field is pretty chaotic, even before you’re able to get help. That should always be your first move, but it’s also about getting as much detail as you can around what happened. Here’s what you should try to focus on:
- Incident reports – Write down everything while it’s fresh. If your employer files an official report, get a copy.
- Witnesses – Even a couple of coworkers who can confirm unsafe conditions makes a difference.
- Medical paperwork – Every doctor visit, prescription, test, and therapy note matters.
- Photos/videos – Snap the scene, equipment, and your injuries. Keep updating as you heal.
- Work records – Timesheets and pay stubs show how your income took a hit.
- Notes on safety hazards – Broken scaffolding, no harnesses, slippery surfaces.
- Emails or texts – Save communication with supervisors or HR about the accident.
If you’re too injured to track this down, our team steps in. We know what to look for and how to get it—so nothing slips through the cracks.
Why Do Oil Field Accidents Keep Happening in Ventura?
Despite safety regulations, oil field accidents are still common around Ventura. And the cause usually boils down to one issue: production being put first, before your safety. This, obviously, leads to a lot of different accident scenarios:
- Slips and falls on slick surfaces or unstable platforms
- Leaks and chemical spills that workers weren’t warned about
- Explosions or fires caused by sparks near flammable material
- Faulty equipment or tools that should have been replaced
- Missing fall protection on scaffolding or rigs
- Rushed projects where workers weren’t trained properly
When companies value speed over safety, you’re the one that pays the price. But that’s not where the story ends. You have options, but it starts with figuring out who’s responsible.
Ventura’s Oil Fields and Employers
Ventura County has lived with oil for generations. The rigs and pump jacks have been part of the landscape here for more than a hundred years, from the Ventura Oil Field to San Miguelito and Oxnard. Some of the companies that run these sites include:
- Aera Energy
- California Resources Corporation (CRC)
- Chevron
With so many different companies, contractors, and agencies working side by side, accidents don’t always have a clear cause. One crew might be in charge of equipment, another handles safety checks, and someone else owns the field itself. When something goes wrong, untangling who’s actually responsible can get complicated—but that’s exactly where the claims process starts.
Who’s Responsible When I’m Hurt in an Accident?
When you’re hurt on the job, it’s easy to assume your employer is the only one on the hook. But in an oil field, there are usually a lot of moving parts—and a lot of different people or companies that may share the blame. Here are some of the main ones we look at:
- Oil field owners or operators – They set the tone for safety. If equipment is old, training is poor, or hazards are ignored, the company in charge may be responsible.
- Supervisors – A foreman who pushes crews to move too fast or skips safety steps can create dangerous situations.
- Coworkers – Sometimes it’s as simple as another worker making a careless mistake that leads to someone else getting hurt.
- Equipment makers – If a piece of machinery or protective gear fails because it was designed or built poorly, the manufacturer may need to answer for it.
- Contractors and subcontractors – Oil fields bring in a lot of outside help. If one of those crews cuts corners and someone gets injured, they might be on the hook too.
- Government inspectors or agencies – While it’s rare, there are cases where inspections are skipped or safety violations are overlooked. If that contributed to your accident, it can matter.
- Staffing agencies – If you were hired through a temp agency and weren’t trained properly for the work, that agency might share responsibility.
Every accident has its own story. Sometimes it’s clear who dropped the ball, other times it takes digging through reports, safety records, and witness statements to get the full picture. The point is—you shouldn’t be left carrying the cost when multiple people or companies could be responsible.
What Options Do I Have After an Oil Field Injury?
Getting hurt in the oil fields can turn your whole life upside down. Between the medical bills, time off work, and stress on your family, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. The good news is—you do have options, and which one makes sense depends on how your accident happened, and whether you work directly for the oil company or are a contractor. With that, here’s your two main options:
- Workers’ Compensation – For most full-time workers, this is the starting point. Workers’ comp is an insurance claim that’s meant to cover medical care and part of your lost wages, without you having to prove anyone was at fault. The downside is it usually doesn’t cover everything, especially long-term needs or the full value of your lost income.
- Injury claim – If someone besides your employer caused the accident—a contractor, equipment maker, or even a reckless coworker—you may be able to file an injury claim against them. You do this through an insurance claim (out of court) or a personal injury lawsuit. This can cover things workers’ comp doesn’t, like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and a loss of future earnings
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged gear, tools, or clothing
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal cases
Every case looks different. Sometimes it’s a straightforward workers’ comp claim, other times it’s a mix of workers’ comp and a personal injury case. The key is not assuming you’re limited to one path. A careful look at your situation can reveal more options than you might expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after an accident?
Get medical care first. Then report the incident and, if possible, take photos or write down details.
What if I’m a contractor, not an employee?
You may not qualify for workers’ comp, but you could bring a personal injury claim instead.
Can I lose my job for filing a claim?
No. It’s illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for exercising your rights after an injury.
Talk With Maison Law About Your Ventura Oil Field Accident
An oil field accident can flip your world upside down in a heartbeat. One minute you’re working, the next you’re dealing with injuries, hospital visits, and wondering how you’ll keep things afloat. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. At Maison Law, we stand by Ventura workers and families when their safety isn’t put first. We’ll look into what happened, walk you through your options step by step, and make sure you’re not left stuck with the fallout. Get started with a free consultation today.
