Katy Oil Rig Accident Lawyer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pegs the fatality rate for those who work on offshore oil rigs at seven times greater than for typical American workers. The risks of falls, fires and explosions, and heavy equipment malfunction contribute to the danger.

Accidents can happen because of employer negligence, especially when they put profits over safety. When you are injured while performing your job, our Katy oil rig accident lawyers could seek compensation through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which extends protections afforded under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to many oil riggers, or by a personal injury lawsuit for negligence against your employer. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris is highly experienced in maritime injury lawsuits.

Types of Oil Rig Accidents

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that oil riggers often work 12-hour days for between seven and 14 days without a break. Fatigue, which slows reaction time, contributes to accidents and is common in the industry. Other debilitating accidents are caused by:

• Explosions, which cause nine percent of oil rig fatalities; and fires, responsible for seven percent, as illustrated by the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico
• Falls from great heights during a rig’s construction and maintenance
• Accidents involving heavy machinery and equipment, such as forklifts and cranes
• Tools dropped to people working below or objects attached to the rig that come loose in inclement weather; falling objects are responsible for 22 percent of oil rig worker deaths

No matter the injury, a Katy attorney could help a worker who was injured on an oil rig.

Non-Subscriber Claims or Oil Rig Accidents

Businesses that opt out of workers’ compensation are called non-subscribers. Employees may have to sue employers for negligence if injuries occur while working on an oil rig due to employer negligence. Employers have a duty to provide workers with a safe environment and train them to avoid the dangers associated with working on an oil rig. OSHA oversees the safety regulations imposed on oil rig employers, and any violations can serve as evidence of an employer’s negligence when an employee is injured.

Additionally, non-subscriber employers have some defenses to combat claims of negligence, like claiming the employee purposely injured themselves or were intoxicated on the job. But generally, they are not permitted to claim the employee contributed to the accident. A Katy oil rig accident lawyer could determine a strategy best suited for the unique facts of the case.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

Oil rig workers may also be eligible for compensation under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act was extended to include workers on U.S. controlled submerged lands three miles offshore, which includes oil rig workers. Benefits are the same as those included in traditional workers’ compensation payouts, including lost wages, medical care for physical and cognitive damage, pain and anxiety, future lost wages, and rehabilitation care. A Katy attorney could talk with a worker about whether this law applies to their case.

Get Compensated With Help From a Katy Oil Rig Accident Attorney

Working on an oil rig is highly demanding work that pays well but is often dangerous. When you are injured, you might not be able to get immediate medical attention, exacerbating your injuries and suffering. You do have recourse for compensation from your employer, even if they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Our attorneys can explore the best strategy for you. We can investigate filing a non-subscriber claim that allows you to get all of the damages you require. Call a Katy oil rig accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.