Greenberg Streich Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Fatal Permian Basin Oilfield Accident

Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, following a fatal incident at a Chevron-operated drilling site near Jal, New Mexico. On May 16, 2026, a worker was tragically crushed by a malfunctioning hydraulic catwalk, leaving behind a spouse and four children. The litigation names five major industry entities, alleging that systemic failures, defective equipment design, and gross negligence contributed to this preventable workplace fatality.

The lawsuit targets Chevron, Forum Energy Technologies, Patterson-UTI Drilling, Signal Safety Services, and Ally Consulting, asserting that each entity failed to maintain a safe working environment. Attorneys argue that the hydraulic catwalk, manufactured by Forum Energy Technologies, was inherently dangerous, while onsite supervision and safety protocols were critically compromised. This case seeks to hold these corporations accountable for the catastrophic breakdown of safety standards that led to the worker's death.

Highlighting the inherent risks within the Permian Basin, this legal action emphasizes the urgent need for stricter oversight in one of the country's most hazardous industrial corridors. Matt Greenberg, co-founding attorney, stated that the firm is committed to identifying where the safety system failed to ensure the grieving family receives justice. The case underscores the firm's ongoing dedication to litigating complex industrial accidents against major oilfield operators and manufacturers.