Oil rig accidents resulting in death or injury may include:

• Boat capsizing and sinking incidents
• Collisions
• Crane accidents
• Equipment failure
• Falling loads or dropped objects
• Fires, explosions, gas leaks, and blowouts
• Helicopter crashes
• Natural disasters
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents

Offshore maritime injuries that may warrant a lawsuit include:

• Broken bones
• Burns and permanent disfigurement
• Crushed limbs and amputations
• Head and face lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Lung irritation from inhaled smoke or fumes
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Workers suffer financial losses due to missed time from work, reduced capacity to work, and medical bills. They may become permanently disabled or suffer tremendous emotional pain and suffering as a result of the accident. Families who lose a loved one suffer loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship, in addition to incurring unexpected funeral and burial costs. All of these losses are eligible for compensation when an offshore accident is someone else’s fault.

A European Commission report identified the following human causes of offshore drilling accidents:

• Unsafe act (44%)
• Unsafe procedure (37%)
• Third party error (9%)
• Improper design (8%)
• Act of war / sabotage (1%)
• Other (1%)

Of the equipment failures, they found:

• Equipment malfunction (34%)
• Ignition (26%)
• Weather (25%)
• Foundation & structural failure (8%)
• Third party equipment failure (5%)
• Other (2%)
• Safety system malfunction (0.18%)
• Earthquake / volcanic eruption (0.18%)

Whether it’s the lack of proper training, improper operation of equipment, improper pressurization, failure to maintain equipment, violations of safety procedures, insufficient safeguards put in place, poor communication between workers, or shortcomings of working in a fast-paced environment, a worker can be injured or killed through no fault of his or her own.

There are many different ways to seek compensation when an injury has occurred. Any contractor who provides services offshore is considered to be a “Longshoreman,” eligible for coverage under the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Individuals who are stationed on a ship or fleet during their time at sea may be able to seek compensation under the Jones Act. Knowing how and when to file is crucial for obtaining benefits.

There are several differences between the two pieces of legislation. The LHWCA provides payments under an administrative system overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor, while the Jones Act allows an amount determined by a judge through the court system. The LHWCA may provide enough money to cover medical bills, lost wages and funeral costs, while filing a lawsuit and Jones Act proceedings generally entitle you to greater amounts for transportation, costly ongoing therapies, pain, suffering, loss of companionship, and punitive fees. Filing a claim under the LHWCA results in a payout regardless of fault. With the Jones Act, you will need to prove another party’s negligence.

Speaking with a compassionate and qualified attorney who specializes in maritime law can help you obtain the maximum compensation allowable by law.