Hydraulic fracturing — fracking — is at the heart of the Texas oil and gas boom, and it is one of the most hazardous industrial processes in the world. Workers on frac spreads are exposed to extreme pressures, volatile chemicals, moving heavy machinery, silica dust, and equipment that can fail catastrophically without warning. If you were injured during a fracking operation anywhere in Texas, you need to know that your employer, the oil company, and multiple service providers may all carry liability for what happened to you — and that your rights extend well beyond any workers' comp claim.
Edward T. Garza and The Garza Law Firm have represented injured workers across Texas for over 50 years, and we have seen firsthand how frac companies and operators work together to shift blame and minimize payouts after a serious accident. The complexity of a fracking operation — with its layers of contractors, equipment lessors, and chemical suppliers — actually works in your favor when handled by an attorney who knows how to untangle these relationships and hold each party accountable.
Whether your injury happened at a wellhead in the Permian Basin, the Eagle Ford, the Haynesville, or anywhere else in Texas, our team is equipped to investigate, litigate, and fight for you. Our Midland office serves West Texas oilfield workers directly, and we handle cases across the state from San Antonio.
Key Facts About Fracking Accidents in Texas
OSHA identified silica dust exposure during fracking as a severe and widespread occupational hazard, finding that 79% of samples collected at fracking sites exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica in its landmark study of the Permian and Eagle Ford regions.
High-pressure pump failures, hose failures, and iron (treating iron) disconnections are among the leading causes of traumatic injuries on frac spreads. Pressures used in hydraulic fracturing can exceed 15,000 psi — more than enough to cause fatal hydraulic injection injuries or catastrophic equipment failure.
Texas is an opt-out workers' compensation state. Major oilfield services companies — including some large frac services companies — have historically operated as workers' comp non-subscribers, meaning injured employees can sue them directly in Texas civil court without the usual limitations workers' comp imposes.
The chemical mixtures used in fracking operations often include known carcinogens and toxic compounds. Under Texas law, chemical manufacturers and suppliers may face product liability claims if inadequate safety data sheets (SDS) or defective chemical delivery systems contributed to a worker's injury or illness.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the frac services segment of oil and gas extraction has one of the highest rates of days-away-from-work injuries in the entire private sector, reflecting the extreme physical demands and hazard density of the work.
Common Questions About Fracking Accidents
My frac company says I'm covered by workers' comp and that's all I get. Is that true?
Even if your direct employer carries workers' comp, that only covers their liability — it does not bar claims against the well operator, the equipment manufacturer, a chemical supplier, or another service company whose negligence contributed to your injury. In fracking operations with multiple contractors on site, third-party claims are the rule, not the exception.
I was exposed to silica dust for years on frac jobs and now have a lung condition. Do I have a case?
Potentially yes. Occupational silica exposure causing silicosis or other lung disease can give rise to claims against employers who failed to monitor exposure or provide adequate respiratory protection, as well as against sand suppliers and equipment manufacturers who failed to provide adequate warnings. The statute of limitations for occupational disease claims in Texas runs from the date you knew or should have known of the condition's connection to your work.
Can I be fired for filing a claim after a frac accident?
Texas law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file workers' compensation claims in good faith. If you are a workers' comp non-subscriber employee who files a civil lawsuit instead, retaliation protections are less clearly defined but an attorney can advise you on your specific situation. Document everything after your injury, including any pressure from supervisors to stay quiet.
The oil company says the frac contractor is responsible, and the frac contractor says it's the oil company's fault. What do I do?
This finger-pointing is exactly why you need an attorney who handles oilfield cases. We name both parties — and potentially others — in litigation and let the court sort out their respective responsibilities. You are not required to choose one defendant. Both parties may owe you compensation.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
When you hire The Garza Law Firm, we guide you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
Free Case Review
We evaluate the specifics of your fracking accident, your injuries, who was on location, and which companies were in the chain of operations. This is a confidential consultation with no obligation to hire us.
Evidence Preservation
Frac spread data is digital and can be overwritten quickly. We immediately issue legal hold demands for pump pressure data logs, treating iron inspection records, chemical SDS documentation, wellsite supervisor reports, and any site photographs or video.
Expert Retention
We engage petroleum engineers, industrial hygienists (for silica and chemical exposure cases), and frac equipment specialists to build an independent, evidence-based account of what caused your injury and who is responsible.
Third-Party Liability Mapping
We identify the full web of contractors, equipment lessors, chemical suppliers, and the well operator involved in your frac job, and assess claims against each under Texas negligence, gross negligence, and product liability law.
Medical and Economic Analysis
We document your current and future medical needs, work with specialists on long-term prognosis for conditions like silicosis or traumatic injuries, and retain economic experts to calculate your full lifetime earning loss.
Negotiation and Trial
We present a fully documented demand to all responsible insurers and fight for the maximum recovery. If litigation is necessary, The Garza Law Firm is ready for trial in Texas state or federal court.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact The Garza Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
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