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Houston Oil Rig Accident Attorneys

Hurt in an Oil Drilling Accident? We Help Injured Workers Nationwide.

Oil drilling is one of the biggest industries in Texas. This sector of our state's economy employs both inshore and offshore workers for crude petroleum exploration, drilling, and completion of wells as well as the operation of a variety of equipment that is used to prepare oil up to the point of shipment to a refinery. Unfortunately, this industry is also one of the most dangerous in Texas. Blowouts occur on offshore drilling rigs and land-based oil wells, leading to serious and often fatal burns. Injuries and deaths can also result from defective or poorly maintained equipment, machinery, and pipelines. Drilling industry workers also face the risk of falls from great heights, such as from derricks.

Drilling for Offshore Oil Is One of the Most Dangerous Jobs

At any moment, a variety of things can go wrong. Workers are expected to do their jobs for 12 hours a day for up to 2 weeks. Not only is this exhausting, but the job comes with other inherent dangers. Seamen are often required to handle combustible materials with cranes swinging overhead. Heavy equipment is everywhere. Even though employers are obligated to make work conditions as safe as possible, navigating the deck can easily turn from dangerous to disastrous. Hard hats and steel-toed boots are mandatory—and for good reason.

Serious oil rig accidents are not necessarily common, but when they do occur, they can easily become catastrophic. Although large disasters are usually averted, smaller accidents can be equally devastating on a personal level. Maritime workers are at high risk of spinal cord injuries, slip and falls, traumatic brain injuries, and a variety of other accidents. The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined oil companies millions because of unsafe working conditions; many people remain concerned about the dangers of working on an oil rig.

Common Oil Drilling Accidents & Injuries

  • Sparks from equipment igniting flammable liquids and triggering explosions
  • Well blowouts, explosions, and fires in production tanks
  • Being struck by swinging pipes, casing, or cables
  • Getting crushed by loads of cargo or heavy equipment
  • Hands or feet getting caught in machinery
  • Equipment failing because of improper maintenance
  • Falls from derricks, unsecured ladders, platforms, hoists, slippery stairways, and unguarded heights

Oil Rig Accident FAQ

What injuries can be caused by oil rig accidents?

An accident on an oil rig may cause catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. These may include severe burns, crush injuries, and drownings or near-drownings caused by rig fires and explosions. Other injuries may include broken bones, back injuries, internal organ damage, head trauma, and loss of limb. The type and severity of an oil rig worker’s injuries will depend on the type of accident and many other factors, such as the type of work being performed, whether heavy machinery or equipment was involved, and whether the worker had on proper safety gear.

Because oil rig injuries have the potential to be life-altering, it’s important to understand your rights and options so you can seek the medical care and financial support you deserve. That’s where our team at Arnold & Itkin comes in.

What rights do I have if I was injured on an oil rig?

If you were injured on an oil rig, remember that you have the right to medical treatment from the doctor and facility of your choice. You also have the right to report your injury to your employer and to seek benefits or compensation without fear of retaliation (such as demotion or termination). You have the right to fully heal and should not return to work until cleared by your doctor to do so. If your employer or another party was responsible for your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical treatment, ongoing care, lost income, and possibly much more. Make sure your rights are fully protected by involving our determined, proven team of attorneys at Arnold & Itkin.

What causes oil rig accidents?

Working on a rig is dangerous, with 12-hour shifts and exhausting manual labor, not to mention dealing with combustible substances and heavy equipment and machinery. Even the journey by helicopter or boat to an offshore rig can be dangerous. Oil rig accidents may be caused by overlooked safety standards, aging equipment, carelessness, or poor rig maintenance. Workers shouldn’t have to deal with unsafe working conditions, but many do every single day—until they’re seriously injured in preventable accidents. If you were injured, let our team determine the cause of your accident so we can seek justice on your behalf. We’re here to help.

Representing the Victims of Catastrophic Oil Rig Explosions

Arguably the worst type of oil rig accident, oil rig explosions, have caused some of the most awful maritime accidents in the history of the world. There are also hundreds of minor explosions that oil rig employees have suffered. While these do not make headlines, many people are killed or injured in these blasts. The unfortunate truth about these explosions is that the workers and families affected by these blasts are less likely to seek legal help because they are pressured by the responsible maritime company to “stay faithful” to the business. Some maritime employers have a history of treating explosion victims’ onsite where employees are incorrectly diagnosed to cover up the company’s responsibility to their employee. An employee should never assume that they are helping their coworkers by keeping quiet about an oil rig explosion.

Some notable oil rig explosions in history include:

  • Deepwater Horizon Explosion: Killed 11 & Injured 17 Others
  • Petrobras Enchova Explosion: Killed 42
  • Occidental Piper Alpha Explosion: Killed 167
  • Petrobras P-36 Explosion: Killed 11

When companies are not held accountable for small oil explosions, they will be alright with forgoing safety standards until an explosion affects their business. If you are interested in legal help regarding your oil rig explosion case, contact our firm immediately.

Call Our Texas Oil Drilling Accident Lawyers (888) 493-1629 for a Free Consultation

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are devoted to helping victims of oil rig accidents get the financial compensation they deserve. If you have suffered a burn injury, skull fracture, or amputation/limb loss injury and you believe another person's carelessness or negligence caused the accident, we want to help you understand your rights. Have you suffered any kind of serious injury while working on an oil rig? Our law firm is here to look out for your best interests and fight for the legal protections that you deserve. Call now for a free review of your case.

At Arnold & Itkin, we help people from coast to coast fight for fair compensation:

  • We have recovered billions of dollars for our clients.
  • We have won cases in more than 40 different states.
  • We have been selected for multiple Super Lawyers® lists.
  • Attorneys Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold are members of The Inner Circle of Advocates.
  • We are members of the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®.

Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation. Let us demand justice on your behalf.

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Case Results

Check Out Our Victories

  • $29Million The Largest Known Settlement for a Wrongful Death Offshore Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Cory Itkin successfully secured a record settlement for a single family who tragically lost a loved one. It is the largest known settlement for a death that occurred offshore. While a settlement is not an admittance of responsibility, our firm was pleased that the company was willing to provide fair compensation to the family of their employee without a fight.
  • $14Million Jones Act Settlement Reached Two Days Before Trial Arnold & Itkin represented a seaman after he suffered a head injury on the Hercules 15 inland barge. Hercules employees tack welded a three foot pipe to the derrick and then forgot to remove it before starting drilling operations. The pipe was jarred loose and hit Plaintiff in the head, causing severe injury. We presented his case under the Jones Act against Hercules, who chose to settle just before trial.
  • $11.5Million Settlement Won for Injured Victim of Offshore Accident Arnold & Itkin obtained a settlement of $11.5 million on behalf of an offshore accident victim suffering from both physical and psychological injuries. His settlement will ensure that our client gets all the time, financial support, and stability he needs to fully recover and get back on his feet.
  • $8.9Million Settlement Achieved for Severely Injured Seaman Arnold & Itkin helped secure a settlement on behalf of a seaman who injured his head when working aboard an offshore drilling vessel. Our firm helped to recover $8.9 million on his behalf.
  • $8Million Massive Settlement Reached Before Trial Began Our firm represented an offshore worker (a steward) who seriously injured his back in an accident. The injury prevented him from making a living. While other lawyers told him his case was only worth a few hundred thousand dollars, our attorneys knew better. Due to intense negotiations by the firm, Arnold & Itkin was able to obtain a settlement for $8 million from his employers.
  • $7.2Million Millions Won for Brain-Injured Client in Louisiana Arnold & Itkin recovered more than $7 million in a settlement for a severely injured Louisiana client. Our client suffered brain injury and memory issues while working on an offshore platform. The defendant settled his case during jury selection, and our client now has the money he needs to receive quality medical care for the rest of his life.
  • $7.1Million Concussed Worker Received a Massive Settlement after Accident Arnold & Itkin represented an offshore worker with a concussion and a herniated disk from an accident on the job. These injuries inhibited our client’s ability to make a living, requiring him to pursue a claim. His employers eventually resolved the case by settling for $7.1 million.
  • $6.9Million Settlement Obtained for Family of Deceased Offshore Worker Arnold & Itkin negotiated a multi-million dollar settlement for the family of a man who died offshore. Though the defendant attempted to get away with an extremely low offer, our team obtained a settlement that was many times larger.
  • $6.6Million Settlement Obtained for Wife & Family of Deceased Offshore Worker Arnold & Itkin helped a woman and her family get justice after her husband was killed in an incident offshore. Despite undue pressure from the defendant, our firm made sure our clients were taken care of for the rest of their lives.
  • $6.5Million Settlement Secured for Injured Crew Member on Barge Arnold & Itkin obtained a seven-figure settlement for an offshore worker who was injured off the coast of Florida while working in needlessly dangerous conditions. His settlement will help him move forward after irreparable damage was done to his head and face.
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“What I feel is that he never considered me as a number, never looked at me as a number. He looked at me as a person, as an individual who needs help, who needs guidance.” - Mildred Solar Cortes

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