Oilfield Accident Survivor Shares His Story

In 2014, Josh Keel was working in the oilfield in New Mexico when an accident left him with devastating injuries. He lost his arm. Life, as he knew it, changed in an instant. What followed wasn’t just a painful recovery. Josh and his family found themselves in a fight for accountability that took the country’s top personal injury firm to ensure the companies responsible paid for their failures.

Thrown Under the Bus

After the accident, Josh said his employer didn’t stand behind him. Instead of taking responsibility, the company tried to shift the blame.

“They threw me under the bus. They didn’t want to own up to anything. Everything they did is ‘by the books,’ is what they were trying to say, and it kind of seemed like they made it more my fault.”

Multiple companies were involved in the accident, and for nearly two years, none of them offered to settle. Each pointed fingers at the others. No one wanted to own up to what happened to Josh or the toll it had taken on him and his family.

Care That Went Beyond the Case

When Josh came to Arnold & Itkin, he found that the firm’s focus wasn’t just on the legal fight. It was also on getting Josh the help he needed to move forward.

Arnold & Itkin connected him with doctors and specialists and helped him get a prosthetic arm. For Josh, that level of attention went far beyond what he expected.

“They helped provide everything. They set me up with all these different doctors and different specialists, and they helped me out with my prosthetic arm. They just helped out way outside of what they should have.”

While the defendant companies continued to deny accountability, Arnold & Itkin made sure Josh’s health and recovery remained the priority.

A Firm That Fought When It Mattered

Arnold & Itkin prepared Josh's case for trial, building a case against every company that played a role in the accident. Less than a week before the trial was set to begin, the companies agreed to settle.

For Josh, the legal outcome was significant. But what stood out to him most was the kind of people he was working with.

"What I think sets Arnold & Itkin apart from any other attorneys is just they're not fake about how they act, and they're just so real, and they just want to help you so much. They have a lot of love to give."

Looking to a Brighter Future

Today, Josh looks ahead with confidence. The support he received didn't just resolve a legal case. It gave him a foundation to build on.

"This firm has really helped out my life. It's going to help me get further than what I am now. It's just going to keep growing."

Josh's story is one that too many injured workers know well. A serious accident. An employer that refuses to accept responsibility. A long, uncertain road where the people who caused the harm are the last to step up. For Josh, having a team that was willing to take the case all the way to trial made the difference between being pushed aside and getting the chance to rebuild.

At Arnold & Itkin, we are proud to have stood with Josh and his family.