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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.