If you were injured on an oil rig, you need to find an excellent attorney to pursue maximum compensation. Oil companies expose their workers to hazardous conditions every day and some value profits over their employees’ health and well-being.
Oil platforms consistently rank as dangerous places to work. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reports offshore fatality statistics, finding that six offshore workers died and 160 were injured in 2020.
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Though oil rig accidents are common, they can have life-altering effects. An experienced oil rig injury attorney can help you pursue the compensation you need.
How Your Houston Oil Rig Injury Lawyer Will Investigate to Determine Blame
When an oil rig accident occurs, determining fault is crucial in securing compensation for injured workers. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, your Houston oil rig injury attorney will thoroughly investigate to establish liability. This investigation will typically include the following steps:
Collecting Evidence
Your Houston oil rig injury lawyer will gather various documents and materials, such as accident reports, medical records, safety logs, and maintenance records. They’ll also look for accident scene photographs or videos. This evidence is crucial for reconstructing the events leading to the accident and identifying any violations of safety protocols or equipment malfunctions.
Interviewing Witnesses
Your attorney will also speak with co-workers, supervisors, and anyone else who saw the accident or has relevant information. Witnesses can provide valuable insights into the rig’s conditions, the actions of those involved, and any potential safety violations. Their testimonies can help corroborate your account and reveal details that might not be documented elsewhere.
Analyzing Safety Protocols and Regulations
Oil rigs are subject to stringent safety regulations and protocols set by organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Your Houston oil rig injury lawyer will review these regulations to determine potential violations. For example, they’ll analyze safety training records, equipment maintenance logs, and compliance with safety procedures. Identifying regulatory violations can be pivotal in establishing fault and demonstrating negligence.
Consulting with Experts
In many cases, an attorney will consult with industry experts to better understand the accident’s technical aspects. These experts might include safety engineers, medical professionals, and accident reconstruction specialists. They can provide detailed analyses of equipment failures, safety protocol breaches, and the mechanics of the accident. Expert testimony can be compelling evidence in demonstrating fault and negligence.
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Reconstructing the Accident
Using the collected evidence and expert analyses, your Houston oil rig injury lawyer will work to reconstruct the accident. This reconstruction involves piecing together the events leading up to the incident, identifying contributing factors, and determining how the accident occurred. Accident reconstruction can reveal critical insights into who or what caused the accident and help establish a strong case.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Determining fault in an oil rig accident often involves multiple parties. Your attorney will investigate the roles of the rig operator, equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, and any other entities involved in the rig’s operation and maintenance. They’ll assess each party’s level of responsibility to determine who may be liable for your injury.
Preparing for Litigation or Settlement
After gathering all relevant information and establishing fault, your Houston oil rig injury lawyer will prepare the case for litigation or settlement negotiations. This preparation includes compiling evidence, drafting legal documents, and developing a strategy to present the case effectively. If the at-fault party’s (or parties’) insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement, your attorney will be ready to take the case to court to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
What Causes Houston Oil Rig Accidents?
Offshore workers labor in an inherently dangerous environment, surrounded by turbulent weather, hazardous chemicals, and heavy machinery. Offshore accidents often result from the following issues:
- Falling objects;
- Explosions;
- Wet surfaces;
- Fires;
- Chemical exposure; and
- Faulty machinery.
Many of these offshore accidents could be prevented with proper employee training and proper oil rig inspections. When an employer’s negligence causes an offshore accident, injured employees can seek compensation.
What Are Common Oil Rig Injuries?
Oil rig accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and death. Injured workers may face extensive medical treatment and lose the ability to work again, leaving them unable to provide for their families. Offshore workers may experience these injuries:
- Burns;
- Lacerations;
- Lung damage from chemical exposure;
- Broken bones;
- Severed limbs;
- Spinal cord damage; and
- Brain injuries.
An injured oil rig worker deserves the best medical treatment and compensation to provide for their financial needs. An oil injury attorney can advocate for your fair compensation while you focus on healing.
What Are Your Rights After an Oil Rig Accident?
If you sustain injuries in an oil rig accident, you deserve compensation. The amount of compensation you receive depends on the circumstances of your accident. When you contact an experienced maritime attorney, they can evaluate your accident to see which of these laws it falls under:
Your compensation can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of your accident and the law that applies to your case. No matter what law governs your accident, our attorneys will fight for the maximum compensation available.
How Should You Choose a Houston Oil Rig Accident Lawyer?
There are many oil rig accident lawyers in Houston, so how do you find the right attorney for your case? Use the following tactics to find a Houston oil rig accident lawyer who will represent you well:
- Ask family members, friends, and coworkers for recommendations;
- Ask attorneys in other practice areas, like divorce or criminal law, for recommendations; and
- Read online reviews on sites such as Google.
Narrow down a list of a few maritime attorneys and interview each one to determine if they are a good fit. Personal injury attorneys usually offer free consultations, so it does not hurt to interview a few before deciding on the best person for your case.
When you meet with a lawyer, ask them about their experience, their fee structure, and their communication style with clients.
Contact an Experienced Oil Rig Injury Attorney
If you are searching for the best offshore lawyers in Houston, you should consider Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP. Our attorneys offer passionate advocacy for injured workers, and we will never hesitate to fight big oil companies to get you the money you deserve.
To learn more about our practice and how we can help you recover offshore injury compensation, contact us for a free consultation.
C.J. Baker represents victims with serious injuries and has won millions of dollars for victims of 18-wheeler crashes, oilfield equipment failures, offshore platform explosions, and defective medical devices. C.J. graduated summa cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2016. He was an editor of the Texas Tech Law Review and a top national trial and moot-court advocate.