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If you were injured in an offshore oil accident, you may face a long recovery—or even permanent disability—with limited opportunity to work and provide for your family. On top of your financial strain, you may be suffering from pain and distress. The company you worked for owes you compensation for the harm you suffered.
Many oil rig workers are injured or killed each year. According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which reports offshore fatality statistics, six offshore workers died and 160 were injured in 2020.
Although those numbers are disturbing, they do not show the whole picture. New Orleans Public Radio reported, “an investigation by Drilled News and Southerly found that the number of offshore worker deaths is being undercounted by the agency. Inconsistent and missing data, as well as loopholes that allow some fatalities to go unreported, make the offshore industry appear safer than it really is.”
The oil industry is not always fair to workers. Filing a personal injury lawsuit after an oil rig accident requires you to go up against big oil lawyers. It can feel intimidating, so you need an experienced Houston maritime lawyer on your side.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our knowledgeable maritime lawyers fight for injured oil workers. We know the Houston oil industry well, and we understand the tactics oil companies may use to limit your compensation.
You owe it to yourself to hire a skilled offshore accident lawyer who will help you recover the money you need. Contact us for more information on how we can assist with your claim. Read on to learn more about your legal options after an offshore injury.
Workers can sustain injuries from a variety of hazardous conditions on offshore oil rigs. Accidents often result from these dangers:
Many hazardous conditions can be prevented by proper training, inspections, and maintenance. When an employer fails to provide a safe work environment, they can be liable for the harm this causes their employees.
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Offshore workers can suffer life-altering injuries due to any of the hazards mentioned above. Oil rig hazards may result in the following injuries:
These injuries can leave an employee in severe pain and unable to work and provide for their families. Sadly, oil rig accidents also kill workers each year. If your loved one was killed on the job, you may be able to sue for the harm you have suffered.
The compensation available after an offshore accident depends on the circumstances surrounding the situation. To determine what law governs your claim, our offshore accident lawyers ask these questions:
This question helps determine if maritime law or other federal regulations apply. Offshore work often involves unique risks and legal protections that differ from onshore employment.
Your Houston offshore injury attorney will ask this question to establish the employment relationship, which is crucial for identifying the proper legal framework. For instance, employee status might make you eligible for specific worker protections under maritime laws like the Jones Act, which you’ll learn more about below.
This question identifies whether the Jones Act applies, as this law specifically covers seamen working on navigable waters. Being on a moveable vessel typically qualifies you for the Act’s protections.
Determining employer negligence is key to pursuing claims under laws that allow for compensation based on employer fault. Proving negligence can significantly impact the compensation you may receive.
The answers to these questions help determine which maritime laws apply to your claim, each offering different types of compensation. Here’s a look at the primary maritime laws that may govern your claim and the compensation available under each.
General maritime law provides injured workers with payment called “maintenance and cure.” This consists of payment for medical expenses and a limited daily stipend.
Maintenance covers living expenses while the worker recovers. Cure pertains to medical expenses necessary for treating the injury until the worker reaches maximum medical improvement. This compensation isn’t based on fault, meaning it applies regardless of whether the employer was negligent.
Maintenance and cure can include food, shelter, and medical care costs. However, the amount they typically provide is minimal and often insufficient to cover all expenses. Despite its limitations, this provision is crucial for ensuring injured workers receive basic support during recovery.
If you were working on a moveable vessel offshore, you may be eligible to file a Jones Act claim. The Jones Act allows you to sue your employer for negligence. Even if you’re not sure whether your employer was negligent, contact an Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP offshore injury attorney to share the details of your experience.
Limited negligent actions by your employer are enough for the Jones Act to apply. If this law applies, your payout could be significant because the Jones Act allows you to sue for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act offers several protections for seamen injured due to employer negligence. Under the Jones Act, you can sue your employer for negligence, which means that if your injury resulted from any unsafe condition or negligent act by your employer, you might be entitled to substantial compensation.
Even if you’re unsure whether your employer was negligent, it is essential to consult with a Houston offshore injury attorney to discuss your case’s details. The Jones Act sets a relatively low bar for proving negligence; even minor negligent actions by your employer can be enough to establish liability.
If you were working on a dock, pier, or adjacent area, the Jones Act probably will not apply. However, another law, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), gives you an avenue for compensation.
Under the LHWCA, eligible workers can receive:
Speak with an experienced Houston offshore accident lawyer to determine the best course of action and maximize your compensation. They can handle all of the complexities of maritime law, identify the legal framework that applies to your case, and fight for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve lost a loved one in an offshore accident, you may be entitled to compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). This law provides financial relief to families when a worker dies due to an accident that happens more than three nautical miles from the U.S. shoreline.
DOHSA allows families to recover damages related to the financial loss they suffer after a loved one’s death. This could include compensation for funeral expenses and the income your family member would have earned had they survived. While emotional damages like pain and suffering aren’t included, DOHSA offers vital financial support to families left without a breadwinner.
A Houston offshore accident lawyer from Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP can help you file a DOHSA claim or take other action to ensure that you receive fair compensation. You can schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling 832-669-6161.
One of the most common types of offshore accidents involves equipment failures. If you’re working on an oil platform or a ship, you’re likely surrounded by heavy machinery. When these machines malfunction, workers can be severely injured or even killed. For example, a crane accident or a faulty winch could lead to crushing injuries or amputations.
Another frequent accident involves slips and falls. Given the nature of offshore work, it’s not surprising that slippery decks, loose cables, and uneven surfaces lead to falls. These incidents can cause severe back and head injuries, sometimes even drowning in the most tragic cases. Fires and explosions are also dangerous on offshore rigs, particularly those drilling for oil and gas. The volatile nature of the materials you’re working with makes this a constant risk.
A Houston offshore accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation after these accidents. They can investigate the circumstances and help you get what you deserve for your losses.
Offshore accidents often lead to life-changing injuries. Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are common, especially in falls or incidents where heavy objects strike you. These types of injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disability, affecting your ability to work or enjoy life as you once did.
A Houston offshore accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation you need to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages, ensuring you’re supported through your recovery.
The value of your offshore accident claim depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long you’ll be unable to work, and the impact the injury has on your life. For instance, if you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury like a spinal cord injury or a TBI, your claim could include compensation for ongoing medical treatment, future lost wages, and even pain and suffering.
Your Houston offshore accident lawyer will work with you to determine the full scope of damages you’re entitled to. The goal is to ensure you’re not left paying out of pocket for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
When you experience an offshore accident, your priority should be getting medical treatment. In a remote offshore location, seeking medical care can be difficult. It may require a medical helicopter airlifting you to the nearest hospital, or you may face medical treatment in a foreign country where you do not understand the language. Try to request transfer to a U.S. hospital as soon as you are medically stable.
If you do not face a medical emergency, take these steps after your accident:
While you recover from your accident, you may be in pain and facing expensive medical bills. An offshore accident lawyer can help lift a burden from your shoulders by taking over negotiations with the insurance company and making sure you get the necessary treatment.
After your offshore accident, you should contact a skilled maritime injury lawyer. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our offshore injury attorneys help injured workers pursue the compensation they deserve. We treat clients with respect, show compassion, and fight big oil companies for the money you need.
Our attorneys know maritime law, which distinguishes us from a generic personal injury law firm. Maritime law is complex, so it is beneficial to hire attorneys with extensive knowledge and experience with offshore injury cases. Instead of simply searching online for a phrase like, “maritime lawyer near me,” contact a law firm with experience in successfully representing injured oil workers.
We offer a free consultation and work on contingency, making excellent legal representation available to all injured workers regardless of your ability to pay. Contact us today to get started on your offshore oil injury claim.
Scott Armstrong obtains remarkable results for his clients. He has successfully tried numerous cases to favorable verdicts and reached significant settlements on his clients’ behalf, recovering millions for them. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.
Scott is known for his aggressive approach to every case. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, an accolade awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under forty and practicing for less than ten years. Houstonia Magazine, H-Texas Magazine, and others have recognized Scott as a “top lawyer” in Houston.
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Armstrong, Lee & Baker did an absolutely wonderful job with my case. The resolution of my case was above and beyond what I expected! Shruti, the associate who handled my case showed great professionalism and I could not be more satisfied with the outcome. Thank you all!...
Josh Lee has been the best lawyer. He fights hard for you and will not give up until you are paid what you deserve. We were very fortunate to find him and his team. Any questions or concerns he was available day and night to answer anything we needed!
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