Oil Rig Explosion Accidents

Has a loved one suffered serious injury or a wrongful death following an oil rig explosion or blowout?

Oil rig workers face unique dangers in their line of work on a daily basis. On top of having to be away from their loved ones for long periods of time, these individuals work in some of the most dangerous environments in the country. Offshore oil drilling produces gases, heat and fires that can lead to serious explosions or fires.

Oil rig explosions, especially in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, are often caused by preventable errors and lax safety regulations. These safety violations could be as minor as not checking valves before the start of the day or not fixing a leak in a timely manner, and can be as major as inadequate supervision or not providing safety gear to workers.

If you were injured in an oil rig explosion caused by someone else’s negligence, please contact an experienced Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion lawyer at (214) 651-6100.

The most common injuries that occur due to oil rig explosions include:

• Burns on large areas of the body
• Lacerations
• Cuts due to flying debris
• Hearing loss
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Nerve damage
• Broken bones
• Spinal fractures
• Dismemberment
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Wrongful death

Oil rig accident injuries are usually so serious that they require extended hospitalization as well as long-term rehabilitative care. To understand ALL of the options available to you and your family after such an accident, call our law firm as soon as possible. We will explain the options available to you at no cost.

The Jones Act.

The Jones Act is a piece of legislation that was passed to protect the welfare of maritime workers should they get injured while out at sea. If you’re a "seaman" who's spent 51 percent of your time working in a vessel of navigable waters (a floating oil rig or boat qualifies in this case), you will likely have a Jones Act claim.

This type of claim allows an injured offshore worker to bring a civil claim (for reimbursement of damages relating to an accident) against his employer. For this type of claim to succeed, the seaman must have been acting in the "course and scope of employment" at the time, the employer must be found to be negligent, and the worker's injuries must have been caused by the employer's negligence.

The Jones Act usually provides you with the following types of compensation after sustaining an injury:

1. Lost wages
2. Medical bills
3. Disfigurement
4. Loss of future earnings
5. Vocational retraining
6. Maintenance and cure
7. Physical pain and suffering

The Outer Continental Lands Act.

The Outer Continental Lands Act is another piece of legislation that protects you as an oil rig worker. This law requires that your employer provide you with compensation that’s equal to two thirds of your average equal wage while you’re receiving treatment for injuries you acquired while working at the oil rig. In addition, you will be eligible for compensation for any body parts that are injured to the tune of two thirds of your lost wage earning capacity.

Don’t sign or admit to anything before speaking to your lawyer.

Maritime law in itself is very complex. Additionally, you may be approached by insurance companies representing your employer who will try to lowball you at one of the most-vulnerable points in your life. They may try to get you to sign papers or verbally admit to something that will, in the end, limit the liability of the oil rig company or completely absolve it of any responsibility. It’s important that you hire an attorney quickly and defer all communication from your employer or their insurance company to your lawyer.

Call us at (214) 651-6100 and we’ll begin working on your case today. Our aim is to get you the maximum amount of compensation available so that you’re able to get timely treatment while keeping your finances intact.

Don’t let a maritime injury diminish your earning power. Call us today for your free consultation or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.