Offshore Accident Lawyer
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Although it can be thrilling, working offshore can also be very dangerous. Accidents and injuries can occur, no matter what safety precautions are taken. Sometimes they can even prove fatal. The dangerous working conditions found on offshore platforms, tankers, crew boats, jack up rigs, and tankers can lead to serious injuries for offshore workers. Many workers aren't adequately trained and work long hours, with very few breaks. This increases the risk of getting hurt.
Offshore accidents can result in serious injuries that can prove to be financially and emotionally devastating. It can also be difficult to find the right place to start when trying to recover damages from personal injury and wrongful death. It is a good idea to consult an offshore accident lawyer experienced in maritime law and personal injury. They can help you sort through the details of your case and get you the best possible recovery.
Common Causes of Offshore Incidents
It is often possible to prevent oilfield and offshore accidents. They can happen in basket transfers, line handling and vessel collisions. Many of these accidents are similar to those you would encounter at work, such as equipment failures or slip and falls. Because offshore work is more risky, injuries can also be caused by a fire or an explosion.
Despite large investments in the oil industry, the oversight and training on oil rigs is often lacking. This kind of negligence can lead to dangerous work environments, where employees aren't adequately trained and perform unsafe tasks.
Many offshore accidents result in head trauma, spinal injuries, severed legs, and other serious injuries. These injuries are frequently caused by:
- Oil rig injuries __S.17__ Many workers lack the necessary training in how to use the equipment. This can increase the likelihood of off-shore accidents due to human error.
- Deck injuries. An oil rig deck can be chaotic and workers need to be alert. Workers are exposed to trip hazards, electric hazards, pinch hazards, fall hazards and electrical hazards. They are easily struck by heavy machinery, can slip on wet surfaces or fall when they feel the vessel's sudden lurch.
- Equipment failure. __S.23__ Workers could be burnt, electrocuted, crushed or even lose their limbs. Safety is paramount when operating machinery on an Oil Rig.
- Fires or explosions. Although not very common, they are one of the most dangerous causes of offshore accident deaths. They can occur due to improperly stored fuel or poorly maintained pipelines. Workers might have to jump from the rig into water if they are working in a fire. Often, this is at least 100 feet. Workers are usually trained in proper jumping techniques, but the stress of the situation can lead to serious injury or drowning. Injuries and fire can cause serious injuries that could lead to permanent disability or even death.
- Other vessels __S.32__ These include falling overboard or separating tow lines, as well as handling heavy lines. There is a possibility of injury in helicopter crashes if workers are being transported offshore by helicopters.
No matter what the cause of an offshore accident, it can be both emotionally and physically devastating. While you may be trying to heal from your injuries, you might also need to figure out how to cope with losing a steady and substantial income that supports your family. Our Austin, Texas-based offshore accident lawyers are available to help you determine what caused your accident and find the best way to get back on your feet.
Offshore accident case: Damages
Offshore accidents can have devastating consequences for you and your loved ones. Some injuries may require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. The result is a pile of medical bills. Another possibility is that a loved one has been in a fatal accident, causing them immense pain and suffering. You may feel helpless if you also lose your primary source of income.
An offshore accident lawyer can help determine how much you might be entitled to. They will also negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible recovery. Your case may allow you to recover lost wages and medical expenses as well as pain and suffering.
Your attorney will make sure that you have all of the necessary medical documentation and records to prove your injuries. They will also explain how your loss in wages, both presently and in future, affects you financially and ensure that any third parties are held accountable for their negligence.
What Factors Could Affect Your Offshore Case for an Accident?
The process of bringing an offshore case can be complex. It's important to understand who you can legally bring a case against, how workers' comp affects your claim and how much insurance coverage you have. You also need to decide where your lawsuit can be filed. Your case can be affected by many factors, especially if you're trying to show negligence on behalf of the employer.
- The degree of risk. Work offshore and in oilfields can be extremely dangerous. Some steps required to extract oil or gas from the ground are not allowed in other industries. You may feel pressured to do unsafe or take higher risks because of how lucrative it can be to find oil and gas. These types of practices are not uncommon. To lessen the impression of their negligence, your employer may attempt to prove that you did not have to engage with these high-risk behaviors.
- No oversight. Most rigs have no engineering oversight. This means that equipment and structures are made by people who have learned by doing. Accidents can happen when you do things like drilling wells or running high pressure fracking lines without technical guidance.
- Insufficient training. __S.59__ Sometimes, they may be doing tasks that aren't part of their normal duties. This can expose all employees to danger.
- Sleep deprivation. On average, offshore workers work 12 hours a days for weeks. They are often woken up at night to load or unload ships. Even with a night crew, extra crew may be needed. Many employers expect employees to work as fast as they can because of the risk of losing profit if there is a delay. This often means that employees have less time for errors and little sleep.
- How much insurance will pay. __S.66__ They then have an insurance company pay the remainder. They may attempt to reduce their share of the claim or ensure that the oil company settles it fairly to avoid having to pay any money.
Many oil companies take shortcuts when operating their oil rigs. This is because it's cheaper than investing in training and proper instruction. Although this is the norm in the industry it can also lead to many avoidable injuries.
How an Offshore Accident Attorney Can Help
Employers will often try to deny liability for any injuries suffered by employees working on an oilfield or offshore rig. Instead, employers try to blame their employees for the accident and pass the blame on to them. The employer may argue that an employee has the right to stop the entire rig from moving if they see something unsafe or need more time to rest. Employers might even try to punish employees who bring suits to work by making it more difficult to find jobs elsewhere in the industry.
All of this makes it difficult to decide whether or not to sue. A lawyer who specializes in offshore accidents will ensure that this doesn’t happen and that your facts are fully disclosed. A lawyer who has been involved in offshore accidents will be able to spot these kinds of tactics and ensure that evidence is not distorted to support the employer's version. A lawyer can help you gather witnesses to an offshore accident and obtain statements that support your side.
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