Oil rig accident claims

The risks in offshore work are unlike any other. Oil rig injuries can happen due to the physically tough work involved, often for long hours and in extreme weather conditions.

The resulting fatigue can increase the likelihood of errors, which increases the risk of accidents. So, it is no wonder working on oil and gas rigs often appears on lists of the most dangerous professions.

If you’ve been involved in any oil rig accidents, get in touch with our specialist personal injury lawyers to see how we could help you with a claim.

Dangers of working on an oil or gas rig

Working on an oil or gas rig is one of the most dangerous occupations around. Using heavy machinery in tough conditions for long periods of time means the chances of injury are high. It’s important your employer adheres to health and safety measures to protect your wellbeing.

If you suffer an injury while working on an oil or gas rig and believe it’s due to your employer’s negligence, you might be eligible for compensation. This could happen due to unsafe working practices and dangers not addressed properly that include:

Getting to the rig

Getting to and from an offshore oil or gas rig usually requires a lot of travel and is inherently risky. Such transportation is attributed as the leading cause of fatalities in offshore oil and gas operations . Typically, travel is facilitated by helicopter or boat. A series of high-profile helicopter crashes over last 30 years have highlighted the risky nature of this commute.

Leigh Day has recently accepted instructions to act for a client who sustained a crush injury to his hand while being transported offshore. During transit, a faulty door mechanism caused the cabin door of the transport vessel to slam shut on to our client’s hand.

Work equipment

The oil and gas industry requires workers to use heavy-duty work machines. Working around such machinery and objects can pose many dangers, such as falling and shifting objects.

Adequate training is essential. Without it, employees working with such equipment post an additional threat to themselves and others.

Leigh Day is currently helping a client in his pursuit of accountability and compensation after suffering life-changing injuries. These were due to mechanical failure and user error whilst he was working on an oil rig.

Extreme weather

Poor weather forecasting, harsh weather and insufficient fall protection can leave rig workers vulnerable to falls – including from elevated areas.

Exposure to chemicals

Due to the process with which oil is extracted and processed onboard the rig, exposure to toxic chemicals may take place and could lead to:

• Respiratory problems
• Allergic reactions
• Rashes
• Chemical burns
• Asphyxiation

Types of oil rig injuries

There is potential for injury in any heavy industry. Many hazards exist on oil rigs, while the unique nature of the working environment means the potential for serious or even fatal accidents increase. It can result in all sorts of injuries, for which you may be able to bring a claim.

Some common oil rig injuries can include:

• Burns – extracting gas and oil from the seabed can result in huge amounts of released pressure. If this process goes wrong, fires or explosions can occur that cause severe burn injuries.
• Amputations – using heavy machinery in extreme conditions can sometimes result in the loss of a limb. Amputations can be devastating and life changing. Compensation may help support lifestyle changes, rehabilitation and more due to such a serious injury.
• Head injuries - high winds, heavy rain, snow and cold temperatures can create dangerous working conditions increasing the likelihood of falls from height and injuries being sustained from falling objects.

How to start an oil rig accident claim

Start a claim for any injury caused by an accident on an oil rig by speaking to a specialist lawyer from our team.

1. Contact our team for an initial free consultation. A specialist in oil rig accident claims will carefully listen to your case, as you provide details of your injury.
2. They will ask any relative questions relating to your accident and what happened. This helps determine if you have grounds for a claim and who it may be against.
3. Depending on the outcome of your call, they will advise you on the best next steps to take.

What do I need to claim for an oil rig accident?

The more information we have at the start, the more able we are to help. Typically, the following information can be useful when making a claim:

• It may seem obvious, but we will need to know where your accident happened. This is particularly tricky with offshore rigs which can sometimes be in remote areas.
• If you receive treatment in a foreign hospital, you should obtain a copy of your records. Hospital records provide useful information on the events that caused your admission and your immediate injuries. They will also detail your treatment and your needs moving forward.
• We will need to see the contract relating to your work on the rig.
• If your accident happened during transport try to obtain details of the transport vessel, including:
  
  • The vessel name
  • Registration number
  • The flag flown
  • Who owned the vessel
  • Who operated the vessel – often, the company that operates the vessel can be different from the company that owns it.

Other considerations

An accident investigation should follow after an incident on an oil rig. You will usually be asked to provide a statement once you are medically able.

• Make sure you keep a copy of your statement and the accident investigation report.
• Take contact details for any witnesses to your accident.
• Sometimes the details of any insurance cover will be displayed in communal areas on the vessel or rig. Try to obtain them, but if your injuries prevent you from returning to the vessel, see if a colleague could get the details for you.