Missouri City Oil Rig Accident Lawyer

Although no job guarantees you will come home safe at the end of the day, some are inherently more dangerous than others. Working on an oil rig is one of the riskiest professions. However, employers and people in charge of oil rigs should do everything reasonable to minimize the likelihood of workplace injuries.

If you experienced a severe injury or lost your loved one in an oil rig accident, you deserve to be compensated for your damages and losses. A dedicated Missouri City oil rig accident lawyer could help you understand your legal rights and options. Do not hesitate to call our law office today to speak with a dedicated maritime injury attorney about your case.

Types of Accidents Occurring on Oil Rigs

Offshore oil drilling rigs expose workers to numerous risks every day. Some of the accidents that can result in devastating injuries to workers include the following:

• Fire and explosions
• Exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals
• Slip and falls
• Heavy lifting resulting in back or spine damage
• Equipment and machinery malfunctions
• Cargo, equipment, or other objects falling onto a worker
• Being stuck between a moving vehicle or equipment and a wall
• Vehicle collisions

Oil rig accidents can occur offshore on drillships, floating production platforms, jack-ups, and semi-submersibles. They can also happen on ships and in helicopter transport to rigs.

In addition, people working in onshore shipping operations may get hurt while performing maintenance, loading, and unloading. Oil rig workers can incur a wide range of injuries, such as:

• Cuts and bruises
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Back and neck trauma

A diligent lawyer in Missouri City could meet with an injured oil rig worker to learn about their accident and ensuing injuries. They could then work closely with medical experts to determine the full extent of the harm resulting from the accident to fight for the maximum compensation.

Sources of Compensation After Suffering an Oil Rig Injury

Depending on the circumstances of their accident, an injured oil rig worker might have multiple ways to pursue legal relief for their injuries.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal act that compensates people working on or near navigable waters. It provides the right of compensation to workers who:

• Drill for oil on rigs and platforms
• Load and unload cargo onto ships
• Drive trucks of cargo from ships
• Build and maintain offshore oil rigs
• Build and repair equipment and machinery on oil rigs

The LWCA allows hurt oil rig workers to receive benefits without needing to prove that their employer was at fault.

The Jones Act

The Jones Act is another federal act covering ship captains and crews. To recover under this, the injured workers must prove that their employer or the ship’s owner caused the accident that resulted in their injuries.

Civil Suit

In certain situations, injured workers can pursue claims in civil lawsuits against the parties who caused their injury. For example, an oil rig worker might be able to sue the manufacturer of defective machinery or a negligent subcontractor.

A seasoned Missouri City lawyer could help oil rig workers injured in an accident determine the most appropriate legal option for their case.

Work With a Missouri City Oil Rig Accident Attorney Today

The jobs that oil rig workers perform are essential, but they can be hazardous and risk serious injuries. If you or your loved one was hurt while on the job, a Missouri City oil rig accident lawyer could help you navigate the legal system.

You deserve compensation for your injuries. Call our law office today to schedule an initial consultation with a reliable personal injury attorney.