Exclusive Remedy Shields Oil Well Owner From Civil Liability

A Texas appellate court ruled that the exclusive remedy provision of the state Workers’ Compensation Act shielded an employer from civil liability to a horrifically injured oil field worker. Case: Lentz v. Mewbourne Oil Co., No. 06-18-00008-CV, 10/29/2018, published. Facts: The Mewbourne Oil Co. is a family-owned, independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Tyler. William Bradley Lentz began working for MOC in October 2008. MOC operated several wells on the McElroy Ranch, and many of them began experiencing issues with paraffin buildup. ...