Maison Law helps contract workers that have been hurt on the job at oil refineries in California. No matter what company you work for or what your job is, working in this environment is pretty dangerous. You might not have workers’ comp benefits, but you do have legal protections. Our team can explain what that looks like. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
Working at an oil refinery is demanding and high-risk, and as a contract worker, you’re often juggling tough tasks with little room for error. Heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, extreme heat, and long shifts are all part of your day-to-day responsibilities. One slip, one malfunctioning valve, or one moment of faulty equipment can change everything in an instant. But you’re still not required to get a lawyer–even though you probably should if you find yourself in this situation. Our team can:
- Help you understand what kind of civil claim you may have and what damages you can recover.
- Gather evidence, identify hazards, and document what went wrong.
- Deal with insurance adjusters or corporate lawyers who may try to minimize your claim.
- Support your case over time. Some injuries, like chemical exposure or repetitive strain, may not show immediately. Early support helps protect your claim.
Getting hurt at a Marathon oil refinery as a contract worker is overwhelming. You may be dealing with pain, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next. But you don’t have to face it alone. Our team will be there to support you.
How is a Workplace Injury Claim Different for a Contract Worker?
When you’re a contractor at a Marathon refinery in California, you face the exact same risks as everyone else every day, but unlike those full-time employees, you don’t have the safety net of workers’ compensation. That means if you’re hurt on the job, your main path to recovery is usually a civil personal injury claim.
But to make your claim work, you need to show that:
- Someone’s actions—or their failure to act—caused your injury.
In a refinery setting, that could involve several different parties:
- Marathon refinery management – The people running the refinery every day are responsible for making sure the workplace is safe. If safety rules aren’t enforced or hazards are ignored, they could be held accountable.
- Supervisors – Your direct supervisors are supposed to give clear, safe instructions. If their guidance was unsafe or negligent, they might share responsibility for what happened to you.
- Coworkers – Everyone on the job has a duty to act safely. If another worker’s reckless or careless behavior played a role in your accident, they could also be liable.
- Staffing agencies or subcontractors – Since you’re a contract worker, the company that placed you at the refinery is expected to provide proper training and oversight. Failing to do so can make them part of your claim.
- Equipment or product manufacturers – Sometimes injuries happen because a tool, piece of machinery, or safety gear is defective. The company that made it could be responsible for your accident.
- Government inspectors or regulators – State or local agencies are supposed to make sure refineries follow safety standards. If inspections were skipped or hazards ignored, they might share liability.
- Other contractors or vendors on site – Any outside company whose actions created unsafe conditions that led to your injury could also be held accountable.
Knowing who could be responsible gives you a clearer picture of your claim and helps make sure nothing is overlooked when you actually go after damages for your injuries.
What Are My Options for Filing a Claim?
Getting hurt on the job at a Marathon oil refinery in California can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t limit your legal options—it actually defines them. As a contract worker, your main path for recovery is through a civil personal injury claim. Typically, these claims take one of two forms.
- An insurance claim out of court.
- A personal injury lawsuit.
No matter which route you take, the goal is the same: getting financial support for your injuries. This usually includes support for things like:
- Medical expenses, both now and in the future
- Lost income
- Damage to your clothing, shoes, gear, or other property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
In California, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and strengthens your claim, which is especially important in the fast-moving, high-risk environment of a Marathon refinery.
What Can Cause Injuries at a Marathon Oil Refinery?
Even if you’ve worked at Marathon refineries for years, every shift comes with risks. The combination of heavy machinery, chemicals, extreme heat, and physically demanding tasks means accidents can happen in an instant.
- Slips, trips, and falls – Wet floors, oil spills, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways at Marathon refineries can turn a simple step into a serious fall, especially if you’re carrying tools or equipment.
- Chemical burns and exposure – Contact with fuels, gases, or other hazardous chemicals can cause burns, breathing problems, or long-term health issues that might not appear immediately.
- Machinery accidents – Pumps, conveyors, and heavy equipment are essential but dangerous. A small slip or mistake can result in cuts, crush injuries, or even amputations.
- Falls from ladders or platforms – Ladders, platforms, and scaffolding are part of the job, and even a short fall can lead to lasting injuries that affect your work and daily life.
- Defective or unsafe equipment – Broken tools, faulty valves, or malfunctioning protective gear can directly cause accidents that might have been prevented.
- Poor safety oversight – Missing warnings, inadequate training, ignored hazards, or pressure to rush tasks all make accidents more likely, even for experienced workers.
Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen if you don’t take care of them right away. Taking careful notes, documenting conditions with photos, collecting witness statements, and keeping detailed medical records are crucial steps to protect your injury claim.
Contact Maison Law After a Marathon Oil Refinery Injury
Getting hurt at a Marathon oil refinery in California can turn your world upside down. As a contract worker, you might be dealing with lost income, medical bills, and questions about who is responsible. You don’t have to face it alone.
At Maison Law, we know the risks of working at a Marathon refinery. We’ll help you gather the right evidence, identify who may be liable, and guide you through the civil injury claims process so you can focus on getting better and back to work. Set up a free consultation today to get started.