Horton Legal West Texas | Oilfield Injury Lawyer
Horton Legal West Texas | Oilfield Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been hurt working in the oil fields around Midland, Texas, you probably have a lot of questions, and you’ll likely need an oil field injury lawyer like Alex Horton (pictured).
Who’s responsible? What should you do next? And how do you even begin to fight back when the company seems more interested in covering their tracks than helping you heal?
Alex Horton has helped countless oil field workers in Midland and across West Texas get compensation after serious workplace accidents.
Whether you’re dealing with a traumatic brain injury, burns, broken bones, or long term disability, we’re here to help you take on the big oil companies and their insurers.
We know how these companies work, and we know their tricks. They’ll try to deny responsibility or pressure you into a lowball settlement. Don’t let them!
We dig deep into your case, gather the evidence, and go toe to toe with whoever’s standing in your way, on your terms.
Located in San Angelo, we’re proud to serve oil field workers across the Permian Basin. No fees unless we win your case.
May 2, 2025
The oil industry is fast paced and physically demanding. In places like Midland, where rigs are running 24/7, there’s always pressure to meet deadlines and keep the flow going. That often leads to shortcuts, and unfortunately, it’s the workers who end up paying the price.
Inadequate Safety Training: Many workers receive insufficient training on how to operate equipment safely, handle hazardous materials, and respond to emergencies. This is a frequent cause of preventable accidents.
Equipment Malfunctions and Explosions: Faulty equipment, improper maintenance, and pressure buildup can lead to catastrophic explosions and fires. For example, a poorly maintained blowout preventer (BOP) can fail, resulting in a dangerous and uncontrolled release of oil and gas.
Falls from Heights: Working at elevated heights on rigs and platforms exposes workers to the risk of serious falls. Lack of proper fall protection equipment or inadequate safety procedures can lead to severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
Vehicle Accidents: Oilfield sites are often congested with heavy trucks and equipment. Driver fatigue, speeding, and poor road conditions contribute to a high risk of vehicle accidents.
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Fumes: Oilfield workers are frequently exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), benzene, and methane. Prolonged exposure can cause respiratory problems, neurological damage, and other serious health issues.
Fatigue and Overwork: The demanding nature of oilfield work often leads to worker fatigue. Working long hours without adequate rest impairs judgment and increases the risk of accidents.
Violations of OSHA Regulations: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets safety standards for the oil and gas industry. Violations of these regulations are a common cause of accidents and injuries. You can find more information on OSHA’s oil and gas safety standards here.
Oil field accidents can result in devastating injuries that can have long lasting consequences. At Horton Legal West Texas, we are expert oil field injury lawyers and have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered the following types of injuries:
Burns and Explosions: Burns can range from minor to severe, causing permanent scarring, disfigurement, and excruciating pain. Explosions can cause widespread damage and multiple injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Falls, impacts from heavy equipment, and explosions can cause TBIs, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and other neurological problems. The long term effects of a TBI can be life altering.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and other debilitating complications. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long term care.
Crushed Limbs and Amputations: Heavy machinery and falling equipment can crush limbs, leading to fractures, nerve damage, and even amputation.
Broken Bones: Slips, trips, falls, and impacts from heavy objects can cause broken bones, requiring surgery, casting, and physical therapy.
Hearing Loss: Constant exposure to loud machinery can cause permanent hearing loss, affecting communication and quality of life.
Chemical Exposure: Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, skin disorders, and cancer.
Wrongful Death: Tragically, oilfield accidents can be fatal. We provide compassionate and dedicated legal representation to families who have lost loved ones in these preventable tragedies.
If you have been injured in an oil field accident, it’s crucial to take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Report the Accident: Notify your supervisor or manager about the accident as soon as possible. Make sure the accident is properly documented.
Document Everything: Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damaged equipment. Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: The insurance company may try to pressure you into giving a recorded statement. You are not required to do so, and it’s best to speak with an attorney first.
Do Not Sign Anything: Do not sign any documents from your employer or the insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.
Contact a Alex Horton, who is a Midland Oil Rig Injury Lawyer: He’s an experienced attorney that can protect your rights, investigate the accident, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Oil companies and their insurance carriers have a vested interest in minimizing payouts and denying claims. They have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their bottom line. You need someone on your side who will fight for your best interests.
A Midland oil rig injury lawyer like Alex can:
Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident
Gather evidence to prove liability
Handle all communications with the insurance company
Negotiate a fair settlement
File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if necessary
Ensure you receive the medical treatment you need
Maximize your compensation
Identifying all responsible parties is crucial to maximizing your compensation. Potentially liable parties in an oil field accident may include:
Your Employer
Third Party Contractors
Equipment Manufacturers
Other Negligent Parties
An experienced oil field injury lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is at fault and hold them accountable.
Texas leads the nation in oil field production, and oil field fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Over 40% of all U.S. oil and gas extraction fatalities happen in Texas
Midland County consistently ranks among the highest for oil field injuries
Vehicle crashes involving oil field trucks are a top cause of death
Most injuries happen to workers aged 25 to 45
These aren’t just numbers… they’re people, families, and lives changed forever.
In Texas, workers compensation is not mandatory for all employers. Even if your employer has workers comp insurance, it may not fully compensate you for your losses. A personal injury lawsuit may be an option if your injuries were caused by the negligence of a third party.
A personal injury lawsuit can provide compensation for:
Medical Expenses (past and future)
Lost Wages (past and future)
Pain and Suffering
Emotional Distress
Punitive Damages (in cases of gross negligence)
A Midland oil field injury lawyer like Alex can help you determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the availability of insurance coverage. Typical damages in an oil field injury case include:
Medical Expenses: All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injuries.
Lost Wages: Compensation for lost income due to your inability to work. This includes both past and future lost wages.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you have experienced as a result of your injuries.
Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or pursuing other employment opportunities, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost earning capacity.
Permanent Impairment: Compensation for any permanent disabilities or disfigurement resulting from your injuries.
Wrongful Death Damages: In cases of fatal oil field accidents, family members may be entitled to compensation for their losses, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you will lose your right to recover compensation. It is crucial to contact an oil field injury lawyer like Alex as soon as possible to protect your rights.
In 2023, a blowout near an oil rig just outside Midland led to a massive fire and several worker injuries. Initial reports claimed it was a “freak accident,” but later investigations revealed safety valves hadn’t been properly tested. Several workers filed injury claims, and a Midland oil field accident lawyer like Alex Horton helped secure significant settlements for long term care and lost income.
Stories like this aren’t uncommon. They’re just not always publicized.
Extensive Experience: Horton Legal West Texas has been representing injured oil field workers in Midland and the Permian Basin for 17 years.
Proven Track Record: We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients in oil field injury cases.
Deep Understanding of the Oil and Gas Industry: I understand the unique challenges and complexities of oil field accidents. I know how to investigate these cases thoroughly and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Commitment to Our Clients: I am dedicated to providing our clients with personalized attention and aggressive representation, and I will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Getting hurt on the job is overwhelming. You’re in pain, you may be out of work, and the bills are piling up. But you’re not alone, and you don’t have to take on the oil company by yourself.
An experienced Midland oil rig injury lawyer like Alex can be the difference between getting what you’re owed and walking away with nothing. They know the system. They’ve fought these battles. And they’re here to help you reclaim your future.
So if you’re looking for an experienced and approachable oil field injury lawyer, meet Alex Horton. With 17+ years as a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Alex has helped countless individuals navigate the complexities of serious injuries.
He combines top tier legal experience (including a clerkship at the Supreme Court of Texas and fifteen years at a leading personal injury firm) with a genuine desire to help people. Alex has recovered multi million dollar settlements for clients in truck wrecks, plant accidents, and other serious cases.
He’s also been consistently recognized by Texas Monthly as a Super Lawyer for over a decade. Beyond his impressive legal credentials, Alex is a family man, and an active member of the West Texas community. Whether he’s in the courtroom or coaching t-ball, Alex brings the same dedication and passion to everything he does.
Alex will get any injured oil field workers the justice and compensation they need and deserve to rebuild their lives.
