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Gulf Coast Oil Worker Injuries

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

Gulf Coast Oil Worker Injuries

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

AskTheLawyers™

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The gulf coast located on the southeastern side of the United States stretching from Texas to Florida is a hotspot for the oil industry. Offshore oil rigs provide significant job opportunities to those living along the gulf coast, but the work is by no means easy. The hours are long, and workers can find themselves assigned to work for weeks at a time before returning home. Oil rigs can be made dangerous by employers failing to follow safety standards and ensure safe conditions. If you or a loved one were injured in a gulf coast oil rig accident, reach out to a workplace injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for recovery.

Injuries commonly sustained in oil rig accidents include but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Injuries from falling
  • “Struck by” injuries
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Eye injuries
  • Hearing loss
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Electric burns
  • Fire burns
  • Chemical burns
  • Amputation
  • Death

With severe storms, inclement weather, and heavy equipment all playing a part in the relative danger of an oil rig, some injuries are unavoidable. However, employers are required to make every attempt at providing a safe environment for their workers, as well as to follow and enforce industry safety regulations. Failure to provide and maintain reasonably safe conditions for oil field workers can open up an employer for liability. The good news after any workplace injury is that in most cases, some form of workers’ compensation may be available.

Workers’ compensation or “workers’ comp” is a type of insurance intended to compensate injured workers and protect employers from liability.

The rules in each state vary regarding workers’ compensation requirements. Employers in every state other than Texas are required to provide some form of workers’ comp, and many employers in Texas choose to do so as well. This is good news since the gulf coast off Texas is a popular spot for oil rigs. It’s a good idea to file for workers’ comp after being injured on an oil rig even if you are considering additional legal action. Personal injury claims can take months and even years to wrap up, but workers’ comp can provide immediate relief for expenses such as medical bills and lost wages.

In most cases, an injured worker receiving workers’ comp benefits injury cannot file a lawsuit against their employer.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if proper attention to safety could have reasonably prevented the injury, the responsible party may be considered negligent and liable in court. Additionally, if an employer does not offer workers’ comp or another form of employee injury insurance, an injured worker may be eligible to file a personal injury claim in order to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Finally, if an oil rig worker was injured due to the action or inaction of a third-party other than the worker and their employer, that third-party may be liable for resulting damages.

If you or a loved one were injured while working on an oil rig in the gulf coast, reach out to a workplace injury attorney to discuss your options for physical and financial recovery.

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