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Louisiana maritime law: common oil rig accidents

On Behalf of | Apr 5, 2018 | admiralty & maritime law

Quite a few Louisiana residents spend time working on oil rigs out in the Gulf of Mexico. There is good money to be made in these jobs. If the oil companies are doing everything right, working conditions should be good. Unfortunately, some find working conditions to be quite hazardous, and human error can occur, causing some workers to experience injury or even death. Maritime law protects these workers and their families should they need to seek compensation following an oil rig accident.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over a 10-year period, from 2003 to 2013, 1,189 gas and oil workers died in workplace accidents. The majority of those deaths — two-thirds to be precise — were from equipment-related accidents. The rest were related to explosions, fire, contact with hazardous materials, and slip-and-fall accidents. It is unclear how many workers suffered injuries in such accidents.

Following an oil rig work accident, seeking relief through workers’ compensation may be tempting. However, maritime laws must be considered in these cases. Whether one is seeking relief following the death of a loved one or if the victim him or herself is wishing to pursue damages, a maritime law attorney can make sure the right claims are filed and maximum relief sought.

Maritime law can be quite confusing for Louisiana residents to figure out on their own. Following an oil rig accident, victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members can use all the help they can get. Legal counsel with experience handling such cases can prove to be a valuable resource.

Source: cdc.gov, “Occupational Fatalities During the Oil and Gas Boom — United States, 2003 — 2013“, Krystal L. Mason, ScM; Kyla D. Retzer, MPH; Ryan Hill, MPH and Jennifer M. Lincoln, PhD, Accessed on April 4, 2018