Kingsley Directional

On June 13, 2025, a former employee filed a collective action lawsuit against Kingsley Directional, LLC and its owner Dusty Sewell. The lawsuit claims that Kingsley misclassified its Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Field Engineers as independent contractors and failed to pay them required overtime wages. Kingsley Directional, based in Conroe, Texas, provides directional drilling and MWD services at oil and gas sites across the U.S.

The lawsuit alleges that MWD Engineers regularly worked 12-hour shifts for 14 days at a time—often in remote, demanding conditions—but were paid a flat day rate without receiving time-and-a-half pay for hours over 40 per week, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Although labeled as “independent contractors,” the complaint says Kingsley exercised full control over their work: assigning job sites, setting schedules, providing tools, and requiring daily reports. MWD Engineers were economically dependent on Kingsley and did not operate as independent businesses.

Key allegations include:

• Misclassifying employees to avoid paying overtime
• Failing to pay time-and-a-half for 40+ hour workweeks
• Not keeping accurate records of hours worked
• Controlling employees’ work schedules, tools, and job duties
• Providing no reimbursement for business expenses

The lawsuit seeks to recover unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees, and other compensation for current and former MWD Engineers who worked for Kingsley over the past three years.

Have you worked for Kingsley Directional as an MWD Engineer? You may be entitled to back pay and additional damages. Contact Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP for a free and confidential consultation at (212) 300-0375 or visit our website to learn more about your rights under federal labor law.

You can also view the filed complaint here.