Dallas Oil Rig Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

Working on an oil rig involves many risks. Some of these risks are specific to the oil industry, but some of the most common injuries are simply the result of accidents that could happen to anyone. However, when something like a slip and fall accident happens on an oil rig, your path to seeking compensation might involve filing a personal injury lawsuit.

If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident while working on an oil rig in Texas, call the Dallas oil rig slip and fall attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm. Our attorneys have decades of experience fighting for compensation for injury victims and their families. For a free legal consultation and help understanding your potential case, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Injuries on an Oil Rig

Oil rig workers face numerous risks of injury while working on an offshore oil rig. The risk of suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident is always present at any worksite, but the risks are often exacerbated on offshore oil drilling rigs.

Seaspray and potentially bad weather can increase the risk of slipping and falling on any oil ship or oil rig. The decks of an oil rig can quickly become too slick from water, especially if it mixes with small amounts of spilled oil or other chemicals. Walking on these decks can pose a significant safety risk, and the ship owner or your employer may be responsible for these dangers.

The stairs and catwalks of an oil drilling rig may be dangerous if they are not properly built or properly lit. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) provides standards for how these kinds of stairs and walkways need to be built, including specifications for handrails. These rules also give standards for lighting to help prevent falls on dark stairwells. The steps must also be secure and even to prevent falls on wobbly stairwells or because of uneven flooring and steps.

Tools, lights, and heavy machinery may require running power cords for operation. While many machines may be operated by gasoline, others requiring electric power may mean that power cables cross the floor at unsafe locations. If these cables are negligently secured or taped down, you could trip and fall.

Suing for a Slip and Fall on an Offshore Oil Rig

If you fall and suffer serious injuries while working on an oil rig, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against your employer or the owner of the oil rig to get compensation for the injuries you face. These injuries may result in substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For help filing this kind of personal injury lawsuit, talk to the oil rig slip and fall lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm.

In many workplace injury cases, you might be required to file for workers’ compensation. However, offshore oil workers are usually governed by the Jones Act and other maritime laws that allow injured workers to take their employers to court after a serious injury.

When suing for a workplace injury, you must prove that the employer or the ship/rig owner did something wrong that contributed to your injury. This is usually referred to as “negligence,” and it requires showing that the employer owed you a duty that they breached, which lead to your injuries.

Many negligence cases surrounding oil rigs involve some breach in safety protocols or poor training that lead to the injuries. An employer is required to follow basic standards of reasonable safety in addition to federal requirements like those handed down by OSHA. If they fail to provide you with safety gear, they fail to provide adequate training, or they do not follow requirements for emergency safety equipment, they may be responsible for your injuries.

Filing a lawsuit to recover compensation may entitle you to coverage for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one in the accident, such as from a long fall or a serious brain injury, you may be entitled to additional compensation.

The damages you face after an accident are calculated by looking at the specifics of your situation. For help understanding what your case might be worth, you should speak with a lawyer.

Our Dallas Oil Rig Slip and Fall Attorneys Offer Free Consultations

After a serious injury on an oil rig, talk to an attorney. The Dallas oil rig injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm can help analyze your claim and determine who is responsible for your injuries. Our attorneys can also help you understand what your case is worth and fight to get you the compensation you might be entitled to. To schedule a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.