What is Offshore Oil Rig Work?
Offshore oil rig work involves operating, drilling, and maintaining massive industrial platforms used to extract oil from below the ocean’s floor. Jobs on offshore rigs are in high-stakes, physically demanding environments that often involve dirty work, exposure to extreme weather, heavy lifting, and operating dangerous equipment such as drills and cranes. These platforms operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, requiring workers to live and work on the rig. Because these platforms operate 24 hours a day, workers are scheduled on rotating shifts. The most common rotation is 14 days on/14 days off, but 21 days on/21 days off and 28 days on/28 days off are also possible. While on the rig, workers work in 12-hour shifts, which are usually either 6 AM to 6 PM or 6 PM to 6 AM. Due to the harsh environment and physical demands of working on an offshore oil rig, workers are compensated at very high rates.
Is Offshore Oil Rig Work Dangerous?
In addition to the harsh environment and physical demands, another reason offshore oil rig workers are paid well is that the work can be incredibly dangerous. With all the moving parts involved in offshore work, injuries are common. According to a report by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), from 2020 to 2023, there were 726 reported injuries on offshore oil rigs. Additionally, it was reported that 9 workers in the industry were killed on the job. Due to the daunting number of injuries and fatalities in the industry, it is important that workers are aware of the dangers present on an oil rig.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury while working on an offshore oil rig, a maritime injury lawyer can help you navigate your next steps. Maritime accident laws can be confusing to wade through, especially while dealing with your insurance company, your employer, medical records, and your injury. At Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., our Houston maritime injury lawyers will walk you through the legal process and advocate on your behalf to get the treatment and compensation you deserve.
What are Some of the Common Dangers on Offshore Oil Rigs?
Fires
Fires are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities on offshore oil rigs. Oil/petroleum is highly combustible, and small sparks from tools or items like cigarettes can cause large fires on oil rigs. Additionally, when oil is mixed with chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, it can become even more hazardous. Oil rig fires typically start with an explosion that leads to a chemically fed fire, which is difficult to put out. Some of the most tragic offshore accidents in history have involved large chemical fires.
Slip and Falls
When working on an offshore oil rig, slick conditions are common. Ocean storms can make the platform wet, and hazardous materials on the floor can create a potential for slip-and-fall accidents. Slip and falls can leave victims with broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. While working on an offshore rig, your employer has a duty to ensure your safety. If your employer was negligent and breached that duty, a premises liability attorney can help you file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries.
Machinery and Equipment
Offshore oil rigs require a lot of moving parts, including drills, cranes, pipes, valves, and other heavy machinery. Companies with offshore rigs often require their employees to take safety courses and learn safety standards on how to properly work with and maintain the equipment on the platform before they begin working. For the most part, these safety standards are followed; however, if even a single piece of equipment is not properly maintained, a catastrophic machine failure can occur, injuring or possibly killing workers.
If a loved one was recently killed as a result of an offshore accident, you don’t need to face the oil company giant alone. At Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., our sympathetic lawyers understand that this is a difficult time, and we are here to fight on your behalf for the rights of your loved one. Our Houston wrongful death attorneys know how to navigate the legal complexities with both expertise and compassion.
Other Dangers Offshore Oil Rig Workers May Face
In addition to the hazards listed above, there are many other dangers that offshore oil rig workers may face. These dangers include:
- Being struck by falling objects
- Transportation/helicopter crashes
- Head and brain injury
- Burns
- Drowning
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Environmental and structural hazards
Furthermore, the rig’s distance from land can become a hazard. Offshore oil rigs typically have a few doctors on board to treat minor injuries and illnesses; however, if a worker is severely injured, they will need to be transported to the nearest hospital on land. This delay in receiving medical treatment can worsen offshore injuries or even lead to death.
What is the Statute of Limitations in Offshore Oil Rig Accidents?
The statute of limitations is a deadline by which your injury lawsuit/claim must be filed. If you do not file your claim within the designated time frame, you lose your right to bring the lawsuit and collect compensation. For offshore injuries, the statute of limitations may vary depending on whether the injury falls under Federal or State law. An experienced maritime personal injury lawyer can help determine which statute of limitations applies to your case.
Talk to an Offshore Oil Rig Accident Attorney
When you are injured in an offshore accident, it is not uncommon for companies to try to resolve your claim for far less than the case is worth in an effort to sweep your injury under the rug. At Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., we believe that you deserve to be treated fairly by the company and that they should be held responsible for your injuries. Our offshore accident attorneys can look at your case and advocate for you to receive fair compensation from the negligent party. The initial consultation for your claim is 100% free, and if you choose to pursue your case with us, you won’t pay us a dime unless we recover for you. Call us to speak with an experienced offshore accident attorney at (713) 932-0777.
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