Oil Rig Accident Injuries In Texas And Louisiana
The energy sector remains a cornerstone of the Texas and Louisiana economies.
Oil and gas jobs are vital to Louisiana and Texas. These jobs pay above state median wages.
There are hundreds of oil rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, with the major ones operated by key players, including Chevron Corporation, Shell PLC, ExxonMobil Corp, and BP PLC, among others.
Houston is undoubtedly the energy capital of the world. It is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the U.S. It headquarters several large oil and gas companies and continues to develop more.
What Makes Oil Rig Jobs Dangerous?
Oil rig jobs are very demanding and high-risk. Combining heavy machinery, volatile substances, complex operations, and adverse weather conditions creates an environment where accidents can happen despite stringent safety protocols.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offshore oil and gas workers are seven times more likely to die on the job than the average worker in the U.S.
Many oil and gas companies are known to cut corners to speed up production. Fatigue-inducing long hours and the constant pressure to produce increase the likelihood of rig workers suffering catastrophic or fatal injuries on the job.
According to US federal laws, employees have the right to work in a safe workplace and under conditions that do not pose a risk of grave harm, regardless of location.
The Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act are in place to protect the rights of offshore and oil rig workers. These laws provide avenues for compensation in the event of injuries. Workers can also file lawsuits to cover their financial losses, pain, and suffering when negligence is the cause of their injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits pay a small fraction of a worker’s lost wages and don’t provide any compensation for pain, suffering, impairment, and other damages that a worker can receive by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Oil Rig Injuries
Oil rig injuries can be mild, severe, or even fatal.
Workers on offshore oil rigs are at risk of suffering from injuries caused by transportation accidents, explosions, slip-and-falls, electrocutions, heavy equipment failure, and toxic chemical exposure.
Getting immediate medical attention for a severe injury can be difficult because of the remote locations of many rigs.
Common injuries in oil and gas rig accidents include:
· Traumatic brain injuries
· Spinal Cord injuries
· Broken bones
· Crushing injuries
· Amputations
· Burns
· Chemical burns
· Lung damage from breathing in fumes
· Soft tissue injuries
· Lacerations
· Contusions and concussions
· Vision loss
· Hearing loss
Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers: Oil Rig Accident Lawyers Helping Injured Workers Navigate The Murky Legal Waters to Get Fair And Just Compensation
Several companies work on an oil rig with multiple people in charge. Numerous parties could be fully or partially liable for an oil rig accident.
Oil rig accident cases can be complex due to the specialized laws and regulations governing maritime activities. Unlike traditional workplace injury cases, oil rig injuries involve maritime law, workers’ compensation, negligence laws, the Jones Act, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in an oil rig accident, it’s crucial to consult with a lawyer who can provide guidance on the applicable laws, help navigate legal processes, and advocate for your rights based on the unique circumstances of your accident.
At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, we represent individuals who have suffered injuries in offshore and oil rig accidents in Louisiana and Texas.
Oil rig accident lawyer Bart Bernard thoroughly understands admiralty and maritime law, the Jones Act, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, as well as relevant safety standards and industry practices.
Our law firm, with offices in Lafayette and Houston, locates and enlists the services of the best doctors, medical providers, and life care planners to help establish treatment and rehabilitation programs, financial plans, and trust funds for the injured worker’s future.
Call us to schedule a free consultation.
The brave men and women working on oil rigs deserve fair and just compensation for their injuries.
Attorney Bart Bernard doesn’t back down from taking on the world’s biggest oil and gas companies.
