Workers on offshore oil rigs near Louisiana play a vital role in the economy of the United States and the world This role, unfortunately, puts them in harm’s way a lot more often most other jobs in the Bayou area.
If you have been hurt in a work-related accident while working on an offshore oil rig, a trusted maritime injury attorney could discuss some unique options for seeking financial recovery. From start to finish, your Houma offshore oil rig injury lawyer can work tirelessly to get you paid and make sure you do not get tripped up by any legal obstacles along the way.
One of the main reasons why working on an oil rig can be so dangerous is because there are so many situations that are hazardous and contain a risk of injury. Oil rig workers have to deal with heavy machinery that may malfunction or pump volatile materials that may catch on fire and explode. They also contend with slipping and tripping hazards created by sea sprays or spilled oil, falls from high platforms, and even long-term health risks from inhaling fumes from toxic substances.
Any one of these situations could lead to an injury which prevents the worker from performing their normal duties and costs money to treat. Injuries often include broken bones, torn ligaments, severe burns, organ damage, and even amputations. No matter how an injury happened or how bad it is expected to be, a Houma offshore oil rig injury attorney can help demand money to cover the costs.
While most Louisiana workers in other industries are covered by state-level workers’ comp laws if they get hurt or sick on the job, oil rig workers are covered by the federal Jones Act. As long as an injured oil rig worker can prove that their employer played any part in causing their accident, that worker can demand benefits through a Jones Act claim to cover medical bills, lost work wages, and more.
In some cases, it may also be possible to file a separate civil lawsuit against someone other than a direct employer who contributed to causing an oil rig accident. This can allow recovery for other losses not covered under the Jones Act. However, it can also be significantly harder to establish “fault” for an injury in this type of claim, especially without the support of an offshore oil rig accident lawyer in Houma.
Just because oil rig work is dangerous does not mean you just have to accept the risk of injury in order to keep your job. If you get hurt while doing this type of work, you may have strong grounds to seek benefits from your employer if you can prove their misconduct played some role in causing your injury. You need the support of a Houma offshore oil rig injury lawyer to recover money, so call Patrick Yancey today to learn more.
(985) 313-9791
