Our firm focuses on third-party oilfield injury claims under Texas law, pursuing compensation from negligent contractors, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers.
We handle cases throughout Odessa, Midland, Andrews, Pecos, and Ward County, with a strategy built around identifying every liable party and maximizing recovery beyond workers’ compensation limits.
Attorneys Robert White and Greta Braker are board certified in personal injury trial law and bring decades of experience handling complex oil and gas injury cases.
If an oilfield accident has left you facing medical bills and lost income, call 432-580-5421 for a free case review.
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Why Choose Braker White for Your Oilfield Accident Case?
Oilfield injury claims are not the same as a standard personal injury case. They involve layered relationships between operators, contractors, subcontractors, and equipment suppliers, and each party may try to shift blame onto someone else.
You need a legal team that knows how these job sites work and how to cut through the finger-pointing.
Board Certified Trial Lawyers
Robert White has practiced personal injury law in Odessa since 1983, starting his career handling workers' compensation cases tied to the oil and gas industry.
Greta Braker joined the firm in 2014 and became a named partner in 2023. Both hold board certification in personal injury trial law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Robert sits on the board of directors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Greta is admitted to practice in both Texas and New Mexico courts, including federal courts in both states.
Rooted in the Permian Basin
Braker White is not a firm that flies in from Dallas or Houston to handle your case. The office sits at 230 W 3rd St in Odessa. Robert White grew up here.
The attorneys know the oilfield culture, they know the local courts, and they know which contractors and operators work this region. That familiarity with the Permian Basin gives your case real grounding.
How the Firm Approaches an Oilfield Injury Claim
Every oilfield accident case at Braker White follows a structured process designed to build the strongest possible claim against negligent third parties:
- Investigating the accident site, reviewing safety records, and preserving physical evidence before it disappears
- Identifying all third parties who may bear responsibility, from drilling contractors to equipment manufacturers
- Working with industry and medical professionals to document the full scope of your injuries and financial losses
- Negotiating directly with insurance carriers and defense teams on your behalf
- Taking the case to trial if a fair settlement is not offered
Oilfield companies and their insurers have legal teams on retainer. Working with a firm that regularly goes up against those same defense teams gives your claim weight.
What Causes Oilfield Accidents in West Texas?
The Permian Basin presents a unique set of hazards that most workplaces simply do not have. Workers operate heavy machinery in extreme heat, handle pressurized systems, and work around flammable chemicals, often on remote sites far from emergency medical care.
When safety protocols break down or equipment fails, the results tend to be severe.
Leading Causes of Oil and Gas Injuries in Odessa
Several recurring factors contribute to oilfield accidents in the Odessa and Midland area. The most common include:
- Defective or poorly maintained drilling equipment, blowout preventers, and pressure systems
- Failure by contractors or site operators to follow OSHA safety standards for the oil and gas extraction industry
- Inadequate training for workers handling dangerous machinery or hazardous materials
- Vehicle collisions involving oilfield trucks, water haulers, and frac sand transporters on congested rural highways
- Fires and explosions caused by improper handling of flammable substances or faulty wellhead equipment
When negligence by a third party leads to an accident, the injured worker may have a legal claim that goes beyond what workers' compensation alone provides. Cases involving failures in oil industry safety procedures can sometimes support additional claims against contractors, equipment providers, or other outside parties.
The Role of Third-Party Contractors
On most Permian Basin job sites, multiple companies operate side by side. The well operator may hire one contractor for drilling, another for transport, and another for equipment maintenance.
If any of those third parties act negligently and a worker gets hurt, the injured person may file a third-party personal injury claim against the responsible company.
This type of claim is separate from workers' compensation and may allow for recovery of damages that workers' comp does not cover, including pain and suffering.
What Injuries Do Oilfield Workers Suffer?
Oilfield accidents in West Texas often produce injuries that require surgery, extended rehabilitation, or lifelong medical care. The nature of the work, operating heavy machinery under pressure in extreme conditions, means that even a single incident may cause permanent harm.
Types of Oilfield Injuries
The injuries that Braker White sees most frequently in Permian Basin oilfield cases include:
- Severe burns and chemical exposure injuries from fires, explosions, or contact with drilling fluids and crude oil
- Crush injuries and amputations caused by heavy equipment, pipe, or moving machinery
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls, struck-by incidents, or explosions on the job site
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis resulting from falls from elevated platforms or equipment failures
- Fractures, torn ligaments, and soft tissue injuries from manual labor and equipment handling
These are not minor workplace injuries. They are life-altering events that may require months or years of treatment, and the financial toll of that care is something a third-party injury claim aims to address.
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What Is the Difference Between Workers' Comp and a Third-Party Claim?
Texas does not require private employers to carry workers' compensation insurance, though many oilfield companies do.
Workers' comp provides medical coverage and partial wage replacement, but it limits the types of damages a worker may recover and generally prevents the worker from suing their employer directly.
A third-party claim is different. It targets parties other than your employer who may have contributed to your accident through negligence. Braker White does not handle workers' compensation cases.
The firm focuses exclusively on third-party negligence claims, pursuing compensation from contractors, equipment manufacturers, and other responsible parties.
Workers' Comp vs. Third-Party Claims
| Workers' Compensation | Third-Party Injury Claim | |
| Who you file against | Your employer's insurance carrier | A negligent third party (contractor, manufacturer, etc.) |
| Damages available | Medical bills and partial wage replacement | Medical bills, full lost wages, pain and suffering, and more |
| Proof required | No need to prove fault | Must prove the third party acted negligently |
| Right to sue employer | Generally no | Does not involve your employer directly |
| Who handles at Braker White | Not handled by this firm | This is the firm's focus |
Understanding the distinction between these two paths matters because the right legal strategy depends on who caused your injury and what relationship they have to your employer.
How Long Do You Have to File an Oilfield Accident Claim in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, injured workers generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If a worker dies from oilfield injuries, surviving family members typically have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
Why Timing Matters in Oilfield Cases
Oilfield accident scenes change fast. Equipment gets moved, repaired, or replaced. Contractors rotate off the job site.
Safety logs and maintenance records may be altered or discarded if they are not preserved early. Acting quickly gives your personal injury attorney the best opportunity to document the conditions that caused your injury before that evidence is gone.
Ask Braker White
Do I have a case if I was hurt on an oilfield job site in Odessa?
If a third party's negligence contributed to your oilfield injury, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Braker White reviews the circumstances of your accident at no charge and identifies whether a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or other party bears responsibility.
I already filed for workers' comp. Do I still have a third-party claim?
Filing a workers' compensation claim does not prevent you from pursuing a separate third-party personal injury case. These are two distinct legal paths. If someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury, you may be able to recover additional damages through a third-party lawsuit.
What does it cost to hire Braker White for an oilfield accident case?
Braker White takes oilfield injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront legal fees, and the firm only collects a fee if it recovers compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.
FAQs for Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyers
How long does an oilfield accident case take to resolve?
The timeline for resolving an oilfield accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Some cases resolve within several months through negotiation, while more complex claims involving multiple defendants or disputed liability may take longer. Braker White keeps you informed throughout the process.
What if my employer does not carry workers' compensation insurance?
Texas does not require private employers to carry workers' comp. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them in addition to pursuing claims against negligent third parties.
Non-subscriber cases follow different legal rules than standard workers' comp claims.
What types of evidence help prove an oilfield accident claim?
Strong oilfield accident claims rely on evidence such as incident reports, safety inspection logs, equipment maintenance records, photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records.
Preserving this evidence early is important because oilfield sites change quickly and records may not be kept indefinitely.
Who pays my medical bills while my case is pending?
If your employer carries workers' compensation, those benefits may cover your medical treatment while your third-party case is pending. If not, your health insurance or other coverage may apply.
Braker White helps you understand your options for managing medical costs during the claims process.
What if I was partly at fault for the oilfield accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is less than 51%. Your total recovery amount is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 25% at fault and your damages total $200,000, your recovery is reduced to $150,000.
Reach Out to an Odessa Oilfield Accident Lawyer Now
The companies responsible for your injury are already protecting themselves. Their adjusters, attorneys, and safety teams are building a defense right now. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to preserve the evidence and testimony that support your claim.
Braker White's oilfield accident lawyers in Odessa are ready to review your case, identify every responsible party, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under Texas law.
Call 432-580-5421 for a free case review. You pay nothing unless Braker White recovers for you.