Government Research on Fatal Injuries in Offshore Oil & Gas Operations

The oil and gas extraction industry in the United States has exploded in recent years. Unfortunately, however, so too has the collective fatality rate for this industry between the years 2003 and 2010. The fatality rate in this industry is seven times higher than for any other U.S. worker. The deep-water Horizon explosion was just one example of the serious hazards associated with the drilling rig accident. 11 individuals lost their lives in that accident. The Centers for Disease Control has analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and identified that between the years 2003 and 2010, 128 fatalities occurred in the off-shore oil and gas operations industry.

The leading cause of these fatal injuries was transportation events since one-quarter of the fatalities for employees on these rigs were associated with material moving and transportation. The loss of a loved one as a result of a drilling rig accident tied to negligence can be catastrophic and can influence a family for many years to come. It can be difficult to understand the legal system involved and the rights available to surviving family members, which is why an off-shore drilling rig attorney can help you navigate this process and assist you with preparing a claim that helps you fight for compensation.

The truth is that a fatal accident or one that results in serious injuries can occur due to many different types of negligence. Oil and gas drilling rig injuries can be complex from a legal perspective since there are so many laws involved and since multiple parties may be held liable. In cases like this, it can be overwhelming for an employee dealing with a life-changing injury already to figure out the next steps involved in bringing forward a claim.

Knowing who to turn to and how to get help from an experienced oil and gas drilling lawyer is one of the most important aspects of handling your injury case. Since time is of the essence, do not wait too long to get help from an experienced lawyer.