Abilene Oilfield Disaster Lawyers
After an Oilfield Injury or Fatality, Call Us
Oilfield operations involve heavy machinery, elevated work platforms, pressurized systems, volatile substances, and constant transportation of equipment and materials, but that doesn’t mean that your employer can cut corners and make your work more dangerous than it should be. When something goes wrong, it is only right that you explore your legal options.
For oilfield workers in Abilene, you deserve respectful and serious legal counsel after an accident at work leaves you seriously injured. Our oilfield disaster attorneys of Lyons & Simmons, LLP proudly represent injured oilfield workers and families throughout West Texas.
Why do so many Abilene oilfield workers turn to our law firm for legal counsel?
- We have recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements since 2023.
- We prepare every case for trial from the start.
- We take on complex, high-value claims against major corporations.
- We have earned professional recognition and media coverage for our work.
Justice Served:
Record Verdicts Achieved
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For their successful pursuit of justice in the face of adversity, Lyons & Simmons attorneys Michael Lyons, Chris Simmons, Chris Carr, and Stephen Higdon have been awarded the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association’s prestigious 2021 John Howie Award. The honor is based on the trial team’s work representing an Alabama mother who lost three children in a tragic West Texas highway accident.
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In a case that drew national attention, Lyons & Simmons attorneys Michael Lyons, Chris Simmons, Chris Carr, P. Wes Black, and Michael Wozniak won a record-setting $109.5 million verdict against CPS Energy after proving the company’s failure to maintain its gas system led to a devastating explosion and fire. The result not only delivered justice for the victims — it set a new standard for accountability in the utility industry.
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The firm secured a landmark jury verdict for a client whose life was permanently changed after systemic hospital failures caused a nearly five-hour delay in emergency surgery, resulting in catastrophic paralysis. The case brought to light serious breaches of hospital policy and was recognized by Courtroom View Network as one of the nation’s top verdicts of 2022.
Catastrophic Oilfield Accidents
Oilfield accidents can occur at drilling sites, servicing locations, storage facilities, or on roadways connecting West Texas communities.
In and around Abilene, we commonly see incidents involving:
- Oilfield truck collisions on regional highways
- Equipment malfunctions involving pumps, hoists, and heavy machinery
- Falls from elevated platforms or derricks
- Explosions and fires caused by pressure control failures
- Chemical exposure and toxic gas releases
- Crushing injuries and amputation accidents
- Fatal workplace incidents
Because many Abilene-based workers travel to job sites across West Texas, an accident may occur far from home. Regardless of location, Texas law provides avenues to pursue compensation when negligence plays a role, and we can help investigate those cases wherever they begin.
Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, or multiple fractures can permanently affect your ability to work and maintain your quality of life. A thorough legal claim should account for both immediate losses and long-term consequences.
Exploring Legal Options Beyond Workers’ Compensation
Some oilfield employers participate in the Texas workers’ compensation system, while others operate as non-subscribers. The legal options available to you depend in part on your employer’s status and the facts of the incident.
If workers’ compensation applies, it may provide limited benefits for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, workers’ compensation typically does not allow recovery for pain and suffering or other non-economic damages.
In many oilfield cases, additional legal claims may be available, including:
- Third-party liability claims against contractors or site operators
- Claims against equipment manufacturers for defective machinery
- Claims against property owners who failed to maintain safe premises
- Negligence claims against non-subscriber employers in Texas
Furthermore, oilfield job sites frequently involve multiple companies operating simultaneously. Identifying each potentially responsible party is critical to pursuing the full scope of available damages. We can carefully review contracts, site arrangements, and safety records to determine where liability may lie.
Proving Liability in an Oilfield Injury Case
Successfully pursuing an oilfield injury claim requires demonstrating that negligence contributed to the accident. This process often involves detailed investigation and technical analysis of the circumstances.
To figure out liability, we may examine:
- Incident reports and internal company communications
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Training records and safety protocols
- Regulatory compliance documentation
- Physical evidence from the job site
- Testimony from co-workers and supervisors
In some cases, evidence may show that a company failed to repair known hazards, ignored safety complaints, or rushed production at the expense of worker protection. In others, defective equipment or improper installation may be at fault.
Because we prepare every case for trial, we can create claims that are structured to withstand courtroom scrutiny. That preparation not only positions us for litigation if necessary but may also strengthen our ability to negotiate effectively on your behalf.
Compensation That Reflects the Full Impact of Your Injury
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“I would highly recommend them to anybody and everybody.”- Pauline S.
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“In a time that was filled with pain, uncertainty and fear, the Lyons & Simmons team made it clear that our only job was to focus on healing while they dealt with everything else. We would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone facing a devastating injury and/or loss.”- Cathy W.
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“What really makes Lyons and Simmons unique is their commitment to securing the best possible outcome for their clients. They advocating for the compensation and support I deserved.”- Adam H.
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- Recognition, Law360, Legal Lion (2024)
- Recognition, The American Lawyer, Litigator of the Week Runner-Up (2024)
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- State Bar of Texas, Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Member
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Member
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- Texas
- United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
What We Stand For. What We Deliver.
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Client-Focused Attention
As a boutique law firm, you receive personalized attention from attorneys with the resources you would expect from a large law firm. Our mission is to provide representation on par with, if not better than, that of any corporation and give you the best chance to win in the civil justice system.
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Aggressive Representation
Our highly skilled trial lawyers are fearless about going to battle for our clients. When the opposition pushes back, we push back harder. We are determined to end your case with the best possible result.
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A National Reputation
Our firm has successfully tried life-altering wrongful death and personal injury cases throughout Texas and nationwide. We have earned a reputation for taking on—and winning—complex, high-exposure cases.
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Customized Legal Strategies
No two cases are exactly alike. We provide each of our clients with customized legal strategies and litigation solutions tailored to their unique needs.