Have You Been Injured in an Offshore Accident?
Our Houston Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help You
The Gulf of Mexico offers a variety of offshore employment opportunities. While many careers include
some perils, offshore jobs are often some of the most hazardous in the world. Dockworkers, riggers, oil
rig workers and construction engineers working in Houston’s maritime fields are no strangers to
workplace accidents.
If your employer’s actions created a safety hazard that led to your life-altering injuries, get in touch with
the personal injury lawyers at the Weycer Law Firm for a free legal consultation.
We help injured workers with workers’ comp and personal injury claims seek appropriate damages for
dangerous workplaces or negligence.
What Is an Offshore Injury Case?
An offshore injury case is a type of personal injury case where the plaintiff (the person who initiates the
claim) is seeking compensation for the injuries they sustained offshore.
Employers can be held accountable for a wide range of shortfalls relating to things like the
seaworthiness of vessels, the quality of equipment or inadequate safety training.
Why Are Some Common Causes of Offshore Accidents?
Offshore accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the more common causes of offshore
accidents include maritime collisions, defective equipment, lack of adequate vessel maintenance, lack of
safety equipment and lack of employee training.
The infamous Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 is a tragic example of what may occur when
employees don’t have the proper training, expertise or communication skills to perform their jobs
correctly. Back in 2010, failure to properly secure an 18,000-foot deep well containing oil and gas caused
an explosion that claimed the lives of 11 crew members and caused a massive oil spill that took months
to clean up.
While major accidents like Deepwater Horizon are a rare occurrence, it’s not uncommon for offshore
workers to get injured on the job. Even seemingly minor injuries can end up having far-reaching
consequences and cause you to spend thousands of dollars on medical bills and accumulate debt as a
result of lost wages.
The good news is you don’t have to suffer through your injuries alone and in silence. If you’ve been hurt
because of someone else’s actions, you have the right to be compensated for the unforeseen costs, as
well as the pain and suffering you endured from your injuries.
Discussing Your Case with a Houston Offshore Injury Attorney
An experienced offshore injury attorney will carefully evaluate your case and provide legal
representation if they determine you should be awarded compensation. While offshore workers are
generally protected by certain maritime laws, such as the Jones Act and the Outer Continental Lands
Act, relying solely on these laws may not get you the full compensation you deserve.
A skilled attorney will help you file a civil claim based on the high safety standards these laws impose on
maritime businesses, which may help maximize your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects maritime workers in case of an accident and subsequent
injuries. The act requires employers to create a safe working environment for their offshore employees
and pay for any medical care resulting from getting hurt on the job. Your employer is required to pay for
things like doctor’s appointments, treatments and prescription medications that are necessary for you
to recover from your injuries.
The law allows you to seek compensation not only for medical bills but also for the pain and suffering
you endured as a result of your injuries. It’ll be up to you to prove your employer’s negligence and why
you should be awarded damages. This is when it truly pays to work with a skilled attorney who
understands how to build a compelling case.
The Outer Continental Lands Act
The Outer Continental Lands Act is another federal law that pertains to marine workers injured
specifically on a fixed platform rig. According to this law, if you were hurt on a fixed platform rig, your
injuries are covered by the workers’ compensation laws of the state you were closest to at the time of
your accident. For example, if the offshore rig was located closest to Texas, our state’s workers’
compensation laws will apply to your case.
Workers’ compensation may not be the only type of compensation you’re entitled to in Texas. Offshore
workers who have suffered injuries due to employer negligence may want to consider filing a civil
lawsuit with the help of a competent and honest attorney.
Were you injured on a job site? Discuss your case for free today.
Have You Been Injured in an Offshore Accident?
The attorneys at the Weycer Law Firm have many years of experience fighting for clients involved in
offshore accidents. Our extensive knowledge of maritime laws paired with a strong work ethic and the
desire to help others has enabled us to recover millions of dollars in compensation, helping injured
people rebuild their lives.
Have You Been Injured Because of Someone Else’s Negligence? Let Us Fight for You!
Discuss Your Case for Free.
