Maison Law helps injured workers in California. While contract workers can’t file a workers’ compensation claim, they still have options when they’re injured on the job. And some jobs–like working on an oil refinery–are more dangerous than others. If you’ve been hurt at work, we can help you through what comes next. Set up a free consultation today.

Do I Need a Lawyer After an Oil Refinery Injury?

Oil refineries are some of the most dangerous worksites in California. Contract workers may be dealing with heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, extreme heat, and long shifts—any of which can lead to serious injuries. When an accident happens, you don’t have to get a lawyer. But with serious injuries and questions about responsibility, having a lawyer can make a difference. Here’s how we can step in to protect your claim:

Explain your legal options and what kind of claim you may have.=
Investigate what caused your injury and gather the evidence to back it up.
Handle insurance adjusters and corporate lawyers who may try to downplay your case.

Some refinery injuries are immediate—like burns, explosions, or falls. Others, like chemical exposure or repetitive strain, may take time to surface. Either way, knowing your rights and having support early on can protect your claim.

What Do I Need If I’m Hurt While Working at an Oil Refinery?

Getting hurt while working at an oil refinery is not something you ever plan for. One minute you’re focused on the job—tightening a valve, climbing scaffolding, or checking equipment—and the next, you’re dealing with pain, confusion, and a flood of questions. When something goes wrong, the details matter. The more information you have, the stronger your potential claim will be. Here’s the kind of information that can help you claim:

Incident report – Write down exactly what happened as soon as you can. Note the date, time, location, and details of the accident. This creates a record while it’s still fresh in your mind. Management should also create an incident report, so make sure to ask for a copy.
Employer details – Figure out who was officially responsible for your work that day—whether it was a subcontractor, staffing agency, or the refinery itself. This helps identify the right party for your claim.
Witness statements – Collect the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident. Their perspective can back up your story and strengthen your case.
Medical records – Keep every doctor’s note, test result, and treatment plan. These records link your injuries directly to the refinery accident and show the impact on your health.
Photos and videos – Take pictures of the accident scene, the equipment involved, and your injuries. Visual evidence can be powerful in showing unsafe conditions or the severity of the harm.
Work records – Save pay stubs, schedules, and timesheets. These documents prove your earnings and can help calculate wages you’ve lost from being unable to work.
Safety concerns – Write down any hazards you noticed before the accident, such as faulty equipment or lack of protective gear. This information can point to negligence.
Communication log – Save any emails, texts, or written reports exchanged with supervisors, refinery management, or insurance. This helps confirm that you reported the accident and shows how it was handled.

It’s hard to think about gathering this while dealing with an injury, but even a few of these pieces can make a real difference as you try to move forward–especially because an injury claim is going to require proof.

How is a Workplace Injury Claim Different For a Contract Worker at an Oil Refinery?

When you go to work as a contractor at an oil refinery in California, the biggest difference is that you don’t have access to workers’ comp benefits. This is because these benefits are only available to full-time employees. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck if you get hurt.

You can still file an injury claim in civil court–but you have to show negligence to establish legal responsibility for what happened. That’s ultimately going to come down to what went wrong and why, but generally, this legal responsibility can fall on:

Refinery owner – The company running the refinery has a duty to keep the workplace safe. That means making sure equipment works, hazards are addressed, and workers get the training and protective gear they need.
Refinery management – The managers on site handle daily operations. If they fail to enforce safety rules or ignore hazards, they could share responsibility for what happened to you.
Supervisors – Your supervisors are supposed to guide you safely through your job. If their instructions were unsafe, unclear, or negligent, they could be partly at fault.
Coworkers – Other employees on the job have a responsibility to act safely. If someone else’s reckless or careless behavior contributed to your injury, they might also be held accountable.
Staffing agencies or subcontractors – Since you’re a contract worker, the company that placed you at the refinery is responsible for making sure you received proper training and oversight. If they dropped the ball, they could share liability.
Equipment or product manufacturers – If your injury happened because a machine, tool, or piece of protective gear was defective, the manufacturer could be responsible.
Government inspectors or agencies – State or local regulators are meant to keep refineries safe. If inspections were missed or safety complaints ignored, they might also bear some responsibility.
Property owners or other contractors on site – Any other contractors or vendors who created unsafe conditions that led to your accident could be on the hook as well.
Anyone with control over safety – Essentially, anyone who could have prevented the accident but failed to do so may be part of your claim.

Knowing all the parties who might be responsible helps you build a complete picture for your personal injury claim. But in order to actually get financial support for your injuries, you’ll need to actually file a claim.

What Are My Options For Filing a Claim If I’m Hurt at Work on an Oil Refinery?

Getting hurt on the job is stressful, especially at an oil refinery where the risks are high. Heavy machinery, chemical exposure, open flames, and fast-paced work make accidents more likely. The good news is that being injured on the job doesn’t limit your legal options—it actually gives you a path to seek recovery for your losses. Typically, it means filing:

An insurance claim out of court.
A personal injury lawsuit inside the court system.

Once your claim is filed, it’s like any other injury claim. Filing an insurance claim out of court is less formal and leads to a quicker resolution, but it’s totally controlled by the insurance company–and they want to pay out as little as possible. That’s when a lawsuit might make more sense, although it takes more effort.

Overall, though, the ultimate goal is to get financial support for your injuries and other losses like:

Medical expenses
Lost income
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Reduced quality of life
Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents

Remember, a civil claim has important deadlines. Currently, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. If you miss it, you can’t get damages at all.

What Can Cause Injuries at an Oil Refinery?

Working at an oil refinery is demanding and comes with unique risks. And being a contract worker means you don’t even have the safety net of workers’ comp. Your safety isn’t totally your responsibility at work, but it’s helpful to understand what causes accident and injuries in this environment:

Slips, trips, and falls – Even a small puddle of oil, uneven flooring, or cluttered work area can cause a sudden fall. Carrying tools or equipment only increases the risk, and a simple misstep can result in sprains, broken bones, or worse.
Chemical burns or exposure – Refineries use fuels, gases, and other hazardous chemicals every day. Accidental contact with these substances can cause burns, respiratory problems, or long-term health issues that may not appear immediately.
Machinery accidents – Heavy equipment, pumps, and conveyors are essential to refinery operations, but they can be extremely dangerous if not properly maintained or operated. A slip or misstep can lead to cuts, crush injuries, or even amputations.
Falls from heights – Working on ladders, platforms, or scaffolding is common at refineries. Without proper safety precautions, even a small fall can result in serious injury.
Defective or unsafe equipment – Faulty machinery or protective gear that isn’t working correctly can directly cause accidents. Even small defects in tools or safety equipment can have serious consequences.
Poor safety oversight – Inadequate training, missing warnings, ignored hazards, or pressure to rush through tasks increases the risk of injury. When safety rules aren’t followed, accidents become much more likely.

Even minor injuries can get worse if left untreated, and delays in reporting or documenting incidents can make it harder to hold responsible parties accountable. Taking careful notes, keeping photos, and saving records of the conditions that caused your injury can make a big difference when filing a civil personal injury claim. And remember, our team will be there to guide and support you from the start.

Contact Maison Law For a Free Consultation After an Injury at a California Oil Refinery

Getting hurt at an oil refinery as a contract worker is stressful, and it can be hard to know where to start. You might be dealing with pain, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next–all while missing out on paychecks. The good news is you don’t have to handle it alone. At Maison Law, we can help you through the injury claims process so you can get back on your feet. To get started, reach out today for a free consultation.