Your life changed in an instant. One moment you were working offshore, and the next, you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future. We understand the overwhelming pressure you’re experiencing right now, and we want you to know you’re not facing this alone.
When offshore accidents happen in the Gulf of Mexico, maritime law provides specific protections for injured workers. According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, offshore operations recorded 203 injuries in 2023 alone, along with 149 fires and numerous other incidents. These statistics demonstrate why specialized maritime legal protection exists.
Louisiana and Texas maritime lawyers at Morris & Dewett understand these complex federal laws and how they apply to your unique situation. We’ve helped maritime workers, crew members, and their families recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
The pain from your offshore injury affects more than just your body. You’re worried about medical expenses piling up while you can’t work. Your family members are concerned about the future. The insurance company representatives keep calling with confusing questions. You’re wondering if your job will still be there when you recover.
These concerns are valid, and maritime law recognizes these hardships. Federal law provides specific rights for offshore workers injured on oil rigs, offshore platforms, tugboats, and other vessels in navigable waters. Understanding these rights is the first step toward getting the medical care and financial support you need.
Maritime law operates differently from regular personal injury law. This specialized area of federal law includes several important protections for maritime workers and offshore workers:
The Jones Act protects seamen who spend at least 30% of their time working on vessels. If you qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you can file a personal injury claim against your employer for negligence. The Jones Act allows you to recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Unlike typical workers’ compensation claims, Jones Act cases allow you to seek full compensation for your injuries.
Maintenance and Cure provides immediate benefits for injured seamen. Maintenance covers your basic living expenses while you recover. Cure covers your medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement. These benefits apply regardless of who caused your offshore accident.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act covers longshoremen and other maritime workers who don’t qualify as seamen under the Jones Act. This federal law provides medical benefits and wage replacement for covered workers injured on navigable waters or adjoining areas.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act extends federal maritime law to offshore platforms and vessels on the outer continental shelf. This law ensures that workers on offshore drilling rigs and platforms receive the same protections as other maritime workers.
Unseaworthy Vessel Claims allow maritime workers to seek compensation when unsafe vessel conditions contribute to their injuries. A vessel becomes unseaworthy when equipment malfunctions, safety systems fail, or the crew lacks proper training. These claims can provide substantial compensation beyond other maritime remedies.
Louisiana law and Texas law also provide additional protections in certain circumstances. Our law firm handles cases under both state and federal maritime laws to ensure you receive every benefit available.
The offshore oil and gas industry operates through three main types of companies, each with different safety responsibilities toward workers like you:
Oil Exploration and Production Companies own the mineral lease rights and direct drilling operations. Major companies include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, ConocoPhillips, and others. These companies have ultimate responsibility for ensuring safe working conditions on their leases.
Drilling Contractors operate the drilling rigs and equipment for oil companies. Companies such as Schlumberger, Halliburton, Noble Corporation, and Diamond Offshore provide drilling services. When drilling equipment fails or causes injuries, these contractors may bear responsibility for your accident.
Oilfield Services Companies provide specialized support services, from wireline operations to remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services to topside drilling equipment. Companies including Baker Hughes, Fluor, Oceaneering International, and National Oilwell Varco supply crucial equipment and services. When their equipment malfunctions or their procedures fail, workers pay the price.
Understanding which type of company employed you helps determine your legal rights and the best approach for your case. Each company type has different insurance requirements and safety obligations under federal maritime law.
Offshore work environments present unique dangers that can lead to serious injury or wrongful death. Recent Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement data shows hundreds of injuries occur annually, with 375 lifting incidents, 149 fires, and multiple explosions recorded in just 2023. Our experience handling offshore injury cases has shown us the most common accident types mirror these federal statistics:
Oil rigs and offshore platforms operate in harsh conditions with heavy equipment and dangerous substances. Common accidents include:
Equipment malfunctions that cause crushing injuries, amputations, or serious injury to crew members. When drilling equipment fails or heavy machinery malfunctions, workers can suffer devastating injuries. Poor maintenance schedules or defective equipment often contribute to these accidents.
Explosions and fires from oil and gas operations can cause severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, or fatalities. These incidents often result from safety protocol violations, inadequate training, or equipment failures. Similar to plant and refinery accidents on land, offshore explosions create unique challenges for emergency response and worker evacuation.
Falls from offshore platforms due to inadequate safety equipment, slippery surfaces, or structural failures. Maritime workers face constant fall risks when working at heights over open water. These spine injuries and other trauma from falls can permanently change your ability to work and support your family.
Offshore drilling and oil operations expose workers to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances. Long-term health problems can develop from exposure to drilling fluids, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and other dangerous materials. These exposures can cause respiratory problems, neurological damage, and cancer.
Tugboats, supply vessels, and crew boats face collision risks in Gulf of Mexico waters. Weather conditions, mechanical failures, and navigation errors can lead to serious maritime accidents. When vessels become unseaworthy due to maintenance problems or design defects, accidents become more likely. These marine collisions share similarities with car accidents on highways, involving questions of right-of-way, operator negligence, and mechanical failures.
Tugboats require immense power to move barges safely through Gulf waters. This power creates additional risks for crew members working on these vessels. Tugboat and barge operations present unique dangers that can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Common tugboat and barge accidents include tow lines parting under pressure, which can strike workers with devastating force. Handling heavy lines and shackles creates crushing and pinning hazards. Equipment failures on tugboats can trap workers or cause machinery to malfunction during critical operations. Crew negligence, fatigue from long shifts, and slippery deck conditions increase accident risks.
Falls overboard represent a constant danger for tugboat and barge workers. When crew members fall into Gulf waters, swift rescue becomes critical for survival. Companies must maintain proper safety equipment, guardrails, and emergency response procedures. Like truck accidents on highways, tugboat collisions in shipping channels can involve multiple vessels and complex liability issues.
Offshore cranes handle enormous loads daily, moving equipment and supplies across platforms and vessels. When crane systems fail, the results can be catastrophic. Crane accidents cause crushing injuries, falls from height, and equipment strikes that can permanently disable workers.
Heavy equipment failures occur when companies delay maintenance, use defective parts, or operate machinery beyond safe limits. Workers suffer when equipment malfunctions trap limbs in machinery, pin them under heavy loads, or cause electrical shocks and burns from active equipment. These industrial accidents often result from inadequate maintenance schedules and insufficient safety inspections. The construction-like activities on offshore platforms share many similarities with construction injuries on land, involving heavy equipment, dangerous heights, and complex coordination between multiple crews.
ROV operations represent some of the most complex and dangerous work in the offshore industry. These underwater robots perform critical inspection, maintenance, and construction tasks that would be impossible for human divers. When ROV systems fail or operators make errors, the consequences can be severe.
ROV accidents occur when underwater equipment malfunctions, tether lines become entangled, or operators lose control during critical operations. Workers can suffer injuries from high-pressure hydraulic systems, electrical failures, or emergency surface procedures. When ROV operations interfere with other offshore activities, multiple workers may face injury risks.
Companies providing ROV services must maintain sophisticated equipment and ensure proper operator training. When they cut corners on maintenance or rush operations to meet deadlines, workers bear the risks of equipment failures and operational errors.
Dredging operations in Gulf waters present specialized risks for maritime workers. Dredging equipment creates underwater hazards, and the complex machinery involved in these operations can malfunction without warning. Workers face dangers from high-pressure systems, toxic exposures from disturbed sediments, and equipment failures during dredging activities.
Diving accidents occur during underwater inspections, repairs, and construction activities offshore. These accidents can involve decompression sickness, equipment failures, entanglement hazards, and oxygen supply problems. When dive operators fail to follow proper safety protocols or maintain equipment adequately, divers pay the price with serious injuries or death.
Gulf Coast weather patterns create unique challenges for offshore operations. The Gulf of Mexico experiences severe hurricanes, tropical storms, and rapidly changing weather conditions that can endanger offshore workers. Companies have legal obligations to monitor weather conditions and protect their crews from foreseeable storms.
Weather-related accidents often occur when companies prioritize production over worker safety. The El Faro disaster in 2015 demonstrates the tragic consequences when companies fail to make proper decisions about weather risks. The cargo ship sailed directly into Hurricane Joaquin, resulting in the loss of all 33 crew members.
More recently, the crew of the Globetrotter II faced Hurricane Ida in 2021 when their company failed to evacuate them in time. The vessel nearly capsized three times during the storm, and crew members feared for their lives throughout the ordeal.
Companies must invest in advanced weather forecasting systems and develop robust evacuation procedures. When employers fail to protect workers from foreseeable weather dangers, they become liable for resulting injuries and deaths. Maritime law holds companies accountable for weather-related decisions that endanger their crews.
Modern technology creates new safety challenges offshore. Cell phone use and wireless devices can distract maritime workers during critical safety operations. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued safety advisories warning about the risks of using cell phones while operating vessels or performing safety-sensitive tasks.
The National Transportation Safety Board found that cell phone use can slow response times, hinder performance, and increase attention lapses among maritime workers. Recent Coast Guard investigations revealed that crew members were texting or talking on phones during offshore collisions that resulted in injuries and one child’s death.
Distracted mariners cause accidents when they fail to maintain proper lookouts, miss navigation hazards, or become inattentive during cargo operations. Companies must develop clear policies restricting wireless device use during critical operations. When employers fail to address distraction risks, they become liable for preventable accidents.
Offshore vessel decks present constant hazards for maritime workers. Heavy equipment moves across decks regularly, creating strike hazards for workers in the area. Wet surfaces from weather or operations create slip hazards that can cause serious falls. Unsecured ladders and inadequate safety equipment increase fall risks.
Sudden vessel movements from weather or wake can cause workers to lose balance, resulting in back injuries, head trauma, or falls overboard. Deck accidents often occur when companies fail to maintain proper lighting, adequate drainage, or non-slip surfaces. Poor housekeeping and inadequate safety protocols contribute to preventable deck injuries.
Similar safety violations occur in other workplace injuries both offshore and on land, where employers prioritize speed over worker protection.
The moments after your offshore injury feel chaotic and overwhelming. You’re in pain, worried about your job, and unsure what to do next. Taking the right steps immediately after your accident protects both your health and your legal rights under maritime law.
Seek Medical Attention First Your health comes before everything else. Get medical treatment immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some offshore injuries, including head trauma and chemical exposures, may not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical care can worsen your condition and complicate your legal case later.
Document Everything You Can If you’re able, document the accident scene before anything changes. Take photographs of the area where your accident occurred, any equipment involved, and your visible injuries. These photos become crucial evidence when companies later claim different facts about your accident.
Collect Witness Information Ask co-workers who saw your accident for their contact information. Write down their names, phone numbers, and a brief description of what they witnessed. Witness statements often provide the most powerful evidence in offshore injury cases, especially when companies deny responsibility.
Report Your Injury Officially Inform your supervisor about your accident immediately and ensure they document it in the company’s official injury log. Request a copy of any incident reports you sign. Companies must report serious offshore injuries to federal authorities, and you have the right to know about these reports.
Preserve Physical Evidence If your accident involved defective equipment, ask that the machinery be preserved for inspection. Companies sometimes repair or replace equipment quickly after accidents, which can eliminate crucial evidence about what went wrong.
Keep Detailed Records Start a written record of your injuries, medical treatment, and how the accident affects your daily life. Include information about missed work, medical appointments, and pain levels. These records help establish the full impact of your offshore injury.
Contact a Maritime Lawyer Promptly Offshore injury cases involve complex federal laws and strict deadlines. Insurance companies often contact injured workers within hours of an accident, hoping to get recorded statements or signed releases before workers understand their rights. Consulting with a maritime lawyer protects you from making statements that could harm your case later.
We understand you’re dealing with pain and uncertainty right now. Our maritime lawyers provide free consultations to help you understand your rights and options under federal maritime law. You don’t have to navigate this difficult time alone.
The type of legal claim you can file depends on your employment status, location of your injury, and the circumstances of your offshore accident:
Jones Act Claims apply to seamen injured due to employer negligence. These personal injury claims allow recovery of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses. You must prove your employer failed to provide a reasonably safe working environment or adequate crew training.
Unseaworthy Vessel Claims focus on dangerous vessel conditions rather than employer negligence. These claims can result in substantial compensation when equipment failures, inadequate maintenance, or design defects contribute to your maritime injury.
Longshore Act Claims provide workers’ compensation benefits for covered maritime workers. These claims ensure medical treatment and wage replacement while you recover from your offshore injury.
Wrongful Death Claims help family members when offshore accidents result in fatalities. Maritime law provides specific remedies for surviving spouses, children, and dependents who lose a loved one in offshore work accidents. These wrongful death cases recognize the financial and emotional losses families suffer when their primary provider dies in a preventable accident.
Personal Injury Claims under general maritime law may apply to injured workers who don’t qualify for other specific remedies. These claims can address injuries caused by third-party negligence, such as equipment manufacturers or contractors.
Your offshore injury creates both immediate and long-term financial hardships. Maritime law recognizes these impacts and provides several types of compensation:
Medical Expenses include all necessary medical treatment related to your offshore injury. This covers emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical care. When your injuries require ongoing treatment, compensation includes estimated future medical costs.
Lost Wages compensate for income you’ve lost while unable to work. This includes your regular salary, overtime pay, and any other benefits you would have earned. For permanent disabilities that affect your earning capacity, compensation includes future lost income. Our experience with catastrophic injuries helps us accurately calculate these long-term financial impacts.
Pain and Suffering damages address the physical pain and emotional distress from your offshore injury. These non-economic damages recognize that serious injuries affect your quality of life beyond just financial losses.
Disability and Disfigurement compensation applies when your offshore injuries cause permanent limitations or scarring. These damages consider how your injuries affect your daily activities and personal relationships.
Punitive Damages become available in cases involving willful negligence or deliberate safety violations. When offshore companies knowingly ignore federal safety regulations, deliberately use defective equipment, or systematically prioritize profits over worker safety, courts may award punitive damages. These damages serve to punish egregious conduct and deter similar behavior by other companies. Punitive damages can significantly increase your total compensation beyond actual losses.
Examples of conduct that may trigger punitive damages include companies that falsify safety inspection records, continue using equipment they know is dangerous, or ignore repeated warnings about hazardous conditions. The Deepwater Horizon explosion demonstrated how company cost-cutting and safety shortcuts can lead to catastrophic results and substantial punitive damage awards.
While maritime law is primarily federal, Louisiana law and Texas law can affect certain aspects of your case:
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315 provides additional remedies for personal injury cases within Louisiana’s jurisdiction. Louisiana’s comparative fault system may apply to some offshore accident cases near Louisiana waters.
Texas state law governs certain aspects of maritime cases filed in Texas courts. Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules that can affect damage awards.
Our maritime attorneys understand how these state law differences impact your case and ensure we pursue all available remedies under both federal and state law.
Offshore injury cases require specialized knowledge of maritime law, federal regulations, and the maritime industry. Our law firm focuses specifically on helping injured maritime workers and their families throughout Louisiana and Texas.
We understand the unique challenges you face after an offshore accident. The legal process can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with serious injuries and financial pressure. We handle all aspects of your case while you focus on recovery.
Our maritime lawyers investigate every detail of your offshore accident to build the strongest possible case. This includes reviewing safety records, examining equipment maintenance logs, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with maritime industry experts.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for your offshore injury case. This arrangement allows you to get experienced legal representation without upfront costs.
Understanding what to expect helps reduce anxiety about the legal process:
Initial Investigation begins immediately to preserve crucial evidence. We review accident reports, photograph the accident scene when possible, and identify key witnesses before memories fade or evidence disappears.
Medical Documentation plays a critical role in maritime injury cases. We work with your medical providers to ensure all treatments and restrictions are properly documented to support your claim.
Discovery Process involves exchanging information with the other parties. This includes reviewing company safety records, maintenance logs, and employee training records. We also conduct depositions of company representatives and expert witnesses.
Settlement Negotiations occur throughout the legal process. Many offshore accident cases resolve through negotiated settlements that provide fair compensation without the need for trial. We negotiate based on the full extent of your damages and future needs.
Trial Preparation ensures we’re ready to present your case to a jury if settlement negotiations don’t produce fair results. Our maritime attorneys have extensive trial experience in federal courts throughout Louisiana and Texas.
When necessary, we collaborate with other specialized attorneys in our firm who handle related cases, including truck accidents for workers injured during transportation to offshore facilities, ensuring comprehensive legal support for all aspects of your situation.
Time limits for filing offshore accident claims vary depending on the type of claim:
Jones Act Claims must be filed within three years of the accident date under federal law. However, the discovery rule may extend this deadline in cases involving occupational diseases or delayed symptoms.
Longshore Act Claims require notice to the employer within 30 days and formal claims within one year of injury or last payment of compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims under maritime law generally must be filed within three years of the death.
These deadlines are strict, and waiting too long can permanently bar your claim. We recommend contacting our law firm as soon as possible after your offshore accident to protect your rights.
Will I be fired for filing a claim? Federal law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who exercise their legal rights. If your employer fires, demotes, or blacklists you for filing an injury claim, you may have additional legal remedies against the company.
What if the accident was partially my fault? Maritime law allows recovery even when you contributed to the accident. The amount of compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault, but you can still receive substantial damages.
Can I choose my own doctor? Your rights to medical care depend on the type of claim. Jones Act seamen generally have broader rights to choose their medical providers compared to Longshore Act claims.
How long will my case take? The timeline varies based on the complexity of your injuries and legal issues. Simple cases may resolve within months, while complex cases involving permanent disabilities can take one to two years. Cases involving catastrophic injuries often require more time to fully understand the long-term impacts on your life and earning capacity.
You don’t have to navigate this difficult time alone. Our maritime lawyers provide free consultations to injured offshore workers throughout Louisiana and Texas. During your consultation, we explain your rights under maritime law and discuss how we can help with your specific situation.
We understand the financial pressure you’re facing while unable to work. That’s why we advance all case expenses and work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for your offshore injury.
The insurance company representatives may contact you soon after your accident. Remember that these companies work to minimize their payouts, not to protect your interests. Before providing recorded statements or signing any documents, consult with a maritime lawyer who understands your rights.
Your family members may also have rights related to your offshore injury. We help entire families understand how maritime law affects their situation and what support is available during your recovery.
If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident in the Gulf of Mexico or other navigable waters, contact Morris & Dewett for experienced legal advice. Our maritime attorneys understand the unique challenges faced by offshore workers and their families.
We handle offshore injury cases throughout Louisiana and Texas, including major ports in Houston, New Orleans, and other Gulf Coast areas. Our law firm has the resources and experience necessary to take on large offshore companies and their insurance carriers. We maintain offices in Shreveport, Covington, and Lake Charles to serve clients across Louisiana and Texas.
Call us today for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your offshore accident and explain how maritime law can help you recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
“The fastest way to settle a case is to prepare for trial. Insurance companies know which firms will go to court and which will not. It is important to choose a firm that will go the distance.”
Our team of intake specialists is ready to listen to you and gather all the information for a free, confidential case evaluation. We will hear you out, take what you say seriously, and then round up with our legal team.
Our lawyers will provide you with no-obligation feedback on your case, usually on the same day, but no later than 24 hours. We will give you the appropriate course of action for your situation.
If your case is a good fit for our firm and you graciously allow us to represent you, our team will begin working immediately. We will investigate, send the appropriate letters to stop insurance companies from harassing you, and start your medical recovery.
Our internal process is transparent with high levels of communication from the opening of your case to the final handshake. Our firm will promptly return your phone calls and keep you informed. You will know the exact status of your case. Our case managers and attorneys are committed to making a difficult situation as stress-free as possible.
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