Jones Injury Attorneys | September 22, 2026 | Personal Injury
Oil and gas production is an important part of New Mexico’s economy. However, this type of work can be dangerous.
Oilfield workers spend their days around heavy machinery, moving vehicles, pressurized equipment, elevated work areas, and hazardous substances. When something goes wrong, workers may have only seconds to react.
So, how many people actually die while on oil rigs? The answer depends partly on what jobs are included in the statistics. Some data may group together several parts of the oil and gas industry, rather than reporting only deaths that physically occur on drilling rigs.
These numbers might provide useful context, but every fatal accident represents a worker whose family may suddenly be left without a spouse, parent, child, or source of financial support.
How Dangerous Is Oil and Gas Work?
Oil and gas work carries risks that are different from those found in an ordinary workplace. An office employee is unlikely to spend a normal workday near drilling equipment, high-pressure lines, large trucks, cranes, or machinery capable of causing catastrophic injuries.
Oilfield workers may encounter those hazards regularly. Additionally, oilfield workers face the significant risk of transportation. These workers must frequently travel between remote worksites, making vehicle safety an important part of the overall risk.
How Many Oil and Gas Workers Die Each Year?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following fatalities for oil and gas extraction industries:
- 44 deaths in 2020
- 58 deaths in 2021
- 83 deaths in 2022
- 78 deaths in 2023
- 65 deaths in 2024
These figures include workers in oil and gas extraction, drilling oil and gas wells, and support activities for oil and gas operations.
If someone searches for “oil rig deaths,” they might expect a statistic counting only workers killed while physically standing on a drilling rig. However, these statistics capture multiple occupations and activities involved in oil and gas production.
Who Could Be Responsible for an Oilfield Death?
Oilfields frequently involve more than one company. The operator might own or control the site, while separate businesses provide drilling, transportation, maintenance, equipment, or specialized services.
That can make determining liability complicated. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation might examine the actions of:
- The worker’s employer
- The oilfield operator
- Drilling contractors
- Subcontractors
- Equipment maintenance companies
- Trucking companies
- Property owners
- Equipment manufacturers
The legal options available depend heavily on the relationship between the worker and the party responsible. A claim against an employer is not handled the same way as a claim against an independent third party whose negligence contributed to the accident.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Fatal Oilfield Accident?
The available compensation depends on what type of legal claim can be brought. Workers’ compensation survivor benefits operate differently from a wrongful death claim against a negligent third party.
When a third party wrongful death claim is available, potential damages can depend on the circumstances surrounding the death and the requirements of New Mexico law.
Relevant losses may involve matters such as:
- Medical expenses associated with the fatal injury
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost financial support
- Lost household services
- Other legally recoverable losses resulting from the death
A fatal accident can therefore require an attorney to examine several potential sources of compensation rather than treating every oilfield death as a single type of claim.
What Evidence Is Useful?
Investigation might reveal that the equipment malfunctioned repeatedly, that employees had previously complained about the hazard, or that the worker had not received adequate training.
Evidence can include:
- OSHA investigation materials
- Accident reports
- Photographs and video
- Witness statements
- Equipment inspection records
- Maintenance logs
- Training records
- Safety policies
- Employee communications
- Vehicle records
- Electronic equipment data
- Prior safety complaints
- Manufacturer information
Experts may also be needed to examine machinery, workplace practices, engineering issues, or the sequence of events leading to the fatal accident.
Contact Jones Injury Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation With an Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer
Oil and gas work remains dangerous even as safety technology and workplace standards improve.
If you lost a loved one or were seriously injured due to negligence on an oil rig, you may have legal options. Call Jones Injury Attorneys for a free consultation with an Albuquerque personal injury attorney.
We proudly take cases in all of New Mexico.
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