A study by the Department of Health and Human Services explains that it is seven times more probable for an oil rig worker to suffer a fatal accident in comparison to any other worker in the United States. At the Merman Law Firm, we understand that accidents at drilling rigs are often a result of long work hours, demands for higher productivity, poor training, and unsafe working conditions. Regardless of the type of accident or the size of your injury, you need to be represented by qualified attorneys who know exactly how to win your case.

There are a number of different laws that were made to compensate a worker who has fallen victim to a drilling rig accident. An injured worker is usually protected by Workers’ Compensation laws, Product Liability laws, or Negligence laws. Similarly, if the accident happened at an offshore drilling rig, an injured worker may be protected under the Jones Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Land Act, or other laws that apply exclusively to accidents at sea.

That said, while many protections exist to help injured workers recover from an accident, each law has many factors that need to be clearly established before a worker may file a lawsuit or receive compensation. If you are seeking to file a lawsuit because you or a loved one has suffered an accident while working on a drilling rig, you need the best oil rig attorneys to help you get all the compensation that you deserve.

Any employee working in the drilling rig industry knows that their jobs come with an increased risk of injury when compared with traditional occupations. However, the sad news is that many of the severe accidents that occur on drilling rigs could have been prevented if proper equipment and safety procedures had been used. Employers are responsible for providing workers’ compensation benefits to an employee and if negligence is a factor in any of these accidents, additional compensation could be provided under federal and local laws. This is just one reason why it’s imperative to consult with an experienced drilling accident as soon as possible to understand the full scope of your rights.

Far too many drilling rig accidents are preventable but lead to catastrophic consequences for the employee involved. Employers must provide adequate personal safety gear and protection equipment and highlight the importance of appropriate safety procedures. Furthermore, supervision is necessary on any drilling rig due to the high risk of severe accidents or malfunctions that can occur. Drilling rig workers are unfortunately far too often subject to fatigue and lack of adequate breaks due to pressure from their employers to continue working. The most common types of accidents that occur on drilling rigs in the United States include:

• Blowouts due to failure to perform routine equipment safety and maintenance inspections.
• Falling objects like tools and pipes.
• Leaking gas or toxic inflammable liquids.
• Reckless actions by another employee.
• Working without having received appropriate training on safety procedures and work duties.
• Using the wrong tools to perform a task or repair machinery.

Multiple parties may share liability for a drilling rig injury depending on whether or not the accident could have been prevented and what ultimately caused it. Some of the key questions to ask include:

Did overwork and fatigue contribute?

Did machinery fail?

Were proper protocols followed?

Were proper supervision procedures being followed?

If you believe that you have recently sustained injuries, it is important that you seek damages from all potential parties who could be held liable. Your attorney can help you evaluate who should be named in the lawsuit. Experienced drilling rig injury attorneys can help you navigate the complicated process of moving forward with a drilling rig injury. You need an attorney who will place your needs and interests first and will help you determine all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. A drilling rig accident has the potential to turn your life upside down.

Your employer may encourage you to avoid filing a claim but your employers should not retaliate against you for a legitimate injury sustained on the job. Your ability to provide details about this claim as soon as possible can increase your chances of a successful outcome and you need to report the accident to your employer regardless. If you have concerns about whether or not your rights will be protected over the course of the claim and what you should do to further enhance your likelihood of recovering compensation for injuries sustained on drilling rig, find the right lawyer as soon as possible.

Whether you worked as a rig manager or a roughneck, a driller or a deck hand, an engineer or a swamper, the law may entitle you to the compensation that you are seeking. The oil rig attorneys at The Merman Law Firm understand a worker’s life on the rig, they can carefully review every detail of your case, and they can walk you through every step of the way until you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.

We realize that a drilling rig accident may cause physical, emotional, and economic damages to injured workers and their families. We can help you through this difficult time. Whether you seek to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, trauma, wrongful death, or any other loss, call the oil rig injury lawyers at the Merman Law Firm today for immediate assistance.