Oilfield Accident Attorneys in Reading, PA

Representing Pennsylvania Oilfield Workers & Their Families

Since 1959, Liever, Hyman & Potter has represented wrongful injury victims and their families across Pennsylvania. We handle only wrongful injury and death claims: no real estate, no business contracts, nothing else. Our four attorneys have devoted virtually their entire careers to this single area of law, accumulating 115-plus combined years of undivided focus. For oilfield workers who live in the Reading area or travel to job sites in the Marcellus Shale region and elsewhere across the state, that depth of practice can translate into stronger representation.

Lead attorney John R. Badal served as Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association and has represented wrongful injury victims exclusively since his admission to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978. Oilfield accident claims sit at the intersection of workers’ compensation law and personal injury litigation. That intersection is exactly where our practice lives.

If you or a family member was injured in an oilfield accident, call Liever, Hyman & Potter at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.

Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims After an Oilfield Accident

Most injured workers know about workers’ compensation, but many don’t realize a separate personal injury lawsuit may also be available. In Pennsylvania, workers’ comp is a no-fault system: you don’t have to prove your employer was negligent to receive medical benefits and partial wage replacement. It is, however, generally the exclusive remedy against your employer. This means a direct negligence suit against the employer is typically barred.

A third-party personal injury claim is different. When someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident, such as a subcontractor sharing the job site, a manufacturer of defective drilling equipment, a company responsible for well-site maintenance, or a trucking company operating near the site, that party may be held liable in a separate lawsuit. Both claims can run at the same time.

Third-party claims matter because workers’ compensation leaves significant damages on the table. It covers medical costs and roughly two-thirds of lost wages. A personal injury lawsuit can pursue the remainder of lost income, pain and suffering, and, in appropriate cases, punitive damages. Two important deadlines apply in Pennsylvania:

• Personal injury lawsuit: generally two years from the date of injury under 42 Pa. C.S.A. Section 5524
• Workers’ compensation: notice to your employer within 120 days; formal claim within three years

These deadlines directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Contacting an attorney promptly can help preserve your options.

Common Oilfield Accidents in Pennsylvania

Oilfield operations, including drilling, pipeline work, refinery processing, and hazardous materials transport, rank among the most dangerous occupations in the country. The fatality rate in oil and gas extraction is significantly higher than the national average. 

Accidents that frequently give rise to personal injury claims include:

• Explosions and fires from volatile hydrocarbons
• Equipment malfunctions and defective machinery
• Falls from elevated platforms or drilling structures
• Struck-by accidents involving heavy equipment or falling objects
• Vehicle accidents on or near job sites
• Chemical and toxic substance exposure
• Trench or wellbore collapses

OSHA sets enforceable health and safety standards for oil and gas operations. A violation of those standards can serve as evidence of negligence in a third-party personal injury claim. Injuries in these accidents are frequently catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, limb loss, and wrongful death are among the most serious outcomes our attorneys handle.

A Record That Matters When You’re Up Against Oil & Gas Insurers

Oil and gas companies and their insurers are well-funded and aggressively defended. The attorneys at Liever, Hyman & Potter have a documented trial record and a clear willingness to litigate, which can change the dynamic in settlement negotiations. The legal community recognizes us as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers” because a significant portion of our clients come through referrals from other law firms that trust our record with serious cases.

In a recent three-year period alone, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results. Our published record includes a $3.5 million trucking crash settlement, a $3.265 million drunk driving wrongful death settlement, and many others. Since 1959, we have won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families. That is more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area. John R. Badal holds membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions tied to documented case results at those thresholds.

Every case we take is carefully reviewed and assigned to a civil trial attorney qualified to handle it. We don’t settle cases simply because a client needs money. We prepare each case for trial so that when a fair result is offered, it reflects the full weight of what we’ve built.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I File Both a Workers’ Compensation Claim & a Personal Injury Lawsuit After an Oilfield Accident?

In Pennsylvania, these two paths aren’t mutually exclusive when a third party other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident. Workers’ comp covers medical costs and partial wage replacement regardless of fault. A third-party lawsuit can pursue additional damages, including pain and suffering, that workers’ comp doesn’t cover.

What If I Was Classified as an Independent Contractor on the Job Site?

Worker classification affects workers’ compensation eligibility, and employers sometimes misclassify employees as contractors. An attorney can evaluate whether your actual working relationship qualifies you for workers’ comp benefits and whether a personal injury claim against a third party is also available to you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After an Oilfield Accident in Pennsylvania?

The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of injury. For workers’ compensation, you must notify your employer within 120 days of the injury. Missing either deadline can affect your ability to recover. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after an accident can protect your options.

What Does It Cost to Hire an Oilfield Accident Attorney?

At Liever, Hyman & Potter, you pay nothing in fees and nothing in case expenses we advance until there is a recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

No Fee Until We Recover for You

If you’re out of work following an oilfield accident, the cost of legal representation is a real concern. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, you pay nothing in fees and nothing in case expenses we advance on your behalf until we recover money for you. That applies to every client, every case. A free consultation lets you describe your situation at no cost, and we carefully review each case before advising you on your options.

Call Liever, Hyman & Potter at (610) 885-1991 to speak with our team about your oilfield accident claim in Reading.