Offshore accidents are a serious threat to anyone at sea. Whether those accidents happen during recreation or work activities, they often result in horrific injuries and death. When that happens, you can turn to Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for clear answers and effective advocacy in the pursuit of compensation and justice.
For more than two decades, our Ruston offshore accident attorneys have been tireless, trusted advocates for the injured. We know what it takes to craft strong, persuasive claims, and we have represented many victims, working diligently to help them secure full, fair recoveries.
Morris & Dewett has recovered millions in all types of offshore accident cases, including those that involve work injuries and wrongful death.
What Causes Most Offshore Accidents and Injuries?
The high seas are unpredictable and highly risky. Those who work offshore have the right to a safe working environment, regardless of whether they do their jobs on oil rigs, drilling platforms, barges, tugboats, cruise ships, or other watercraft. Employers in the oil, gas, and maritime industries have specific obligations to train and protect their workers to minimize the risk of offshore accidents, injuries, and death. Despite that, negligence causes maritime accidents far too often.
Explosions and Fires
Offshore workers routinely handle or come into contact with combustible, volatile substances. From drilling activities to transporting oil and natural gas, it only takes one mistake to trigger a massive explosion or uncontrollable fire offshore. Offshore explosions and fires can result from:
- Watercraft collisions
- Improper storage of oil or gas
- Failure to properly train offshore workers
- Failures to inspect or maintain pipelines, essential equipment, or sea vessels
- Other forms of negligence
Burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other catastrophic injuries can quickly harm dozens of workers when offshore fires and explosions happen. If these accidents sink watercraft or leave workers trapped on flame-engulfed platforms, the results can be deadly.
Toxic Exposures
Offshore workers may also come into contact with caustic industrial chemicals, cancer-causing asbestos, and other dangerous toxins. In some cases, it may take just one exposure to cause serious injuries; in others, routine exposure over time can result in devastating illnesses, like mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure. Equipment manufacturers, oil and gas companies, and their contractors can be liable for the harm caused by offshore toxic exposures.
Equipment Failures
Industrial equipment may not be designed or built to operate safely. Even if it is, equipment has to be properly maintained to continue operating as designed. Equipment failures can result from design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, and failures to maintain. When that happens, drownings, electrocutions, falling accidents, and equipment collapses can follow. Manufacturers, employers, contractors, and others can be responsible for the harm caused by equipment-related offshore accidents.
Other Offshore Accidents
Failures to safely operate watercraft or any equipment aboard them can also lead to offshore accidents. Whether these accidents occur on commercial fishing boats, cruise ships, barges, or other watercraft, they can cause catastrophic injuries including spinal cord injury or brain injury, and even death.
Offshore Accident Statistics
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement tracks offshore accident data. These numbers underreport the true incidence of offshore incidents because authorities are not required to track and report all such accidents.
Do I Have an Offshore Accident Claim?
Offshore accident claims must be filed by certain deadlines, and different laws can apply depending on whether you were working at the time of the accident and what type of work you were performing. You could have multiple claims. It is best to consult an attorney familiar with maritime law, work injury cases, and tort claims.
Can I Lose My Job or Be Blacklisted for Suing Over Offshore Injuries?
It is against the law for employers to fire you or blacklist you from being hired simply because you are pursuing your right to get justice via an offshore accident claim. If you are the target of retaliation for filing a claim, you may have additional legal claims.
When Should I Contact a Ruston Offshore Accident Lawyer?
As soon as possible. You have limited time to file a claim, and the at-fault parties could already be building a strong defense. Contacting an attorney quickly helps preserve evidence and positions skilled advocates to build your case.
How Much Are Offshore Accident Settlements and Compensation?
Your injuries and the type of claims you have impact compensation amounts. Broadly speaking, offshore accident claims can result in compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other losses. An attorney can give you case-specific answers in an initial consultation.