Are you considering a career that involves offshore oil rigs? Do you know what risks and potential injuries a rewarding career like this involves?
Keep reading, and we’ll tell you what common accidents on oil rigs you can be prepared for and know how to handle.
What Is an Offshore Injury?
What qualifies as an offshore injury?
An offshore injury is an injury that occurs in various bodies of water. This includes places like the U.S. coast, waterways, or even on the high sea.
Typically, offshore injuries occur on oil rigs, harbors, ships, or docks.
Usually, offshore injuries like accidents on oil rigs are a result of neglectful acts and can be avoided. Examples of negligent acts include:
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Reckless behavior
- Explosions
- Risky weather
- Machinery errors
The injuries suffered range anywhere from a broken bone or burns to severed limbs, and sometimes, even death.
Due to maritime common law, there is compensation to cover medical expenses and sometimes even living expenses. You can seek help from this offshore injury lawyer to make sure your case is handled appropriately.
Now that you are well versed in what offshore injuries and accidents on oil rigs entail let’s go over common accidents on oil rigs.
Fractures
Fractures are usually the lightest injuries that could potentially be caused by faulty drilling equipment.
While most fractures are visible, sometimes, they can go unnoticed internally and cause severe damage.
Spinal Cord Injury
One of the more severe injuries that could occur involves the spine.
Spinal cord injuries typically lead to weakness or complete loss of muscle function below your body’s injured area. Many times, injuries lead to permanent damage and disabilities to cope with for the rest of your life.
Severe Burns
Accidents on oil rigs that cause injuries and fatalities are sometimes related to explosions and fires. These are less common than other types of oil rig accidents, but they do occur.
By wearing protective gear, you can sometimes lower the burn’s severity. But depending on the explosion’s size, it’s not a guaranteed way to avoid injury. Burns require extensive periods to heal and can be extremely painful.
Some of the materials workers are exposed to include airborne silica and diesel particulate matter. These are harmful to your skin, eyes, and/or lungs. If workers are exposed to toxic levels of these materials, they can have long-term effects.
Wrongful Death
Most severe of all is when faulty equipment or negligence leads to deadly injuries on oil rigs.
This is legally considered a wrongful death. The employer is responsible for ensuring the safety of all workers. Protection includes proper equipment maintenance and training.
If there is a wrongful death on the job, the employer is responsible, and this is the perfect time to consult an offshore injury lawyer.
Do You Feel Prepared to Handle Accidents on Oil Rigs?
Offshore injuries and accidents on oil rigs can be avoided, especially when people avoid them and handle them when they happen. Offshore injury lawyers are specialists who will make sure you receive the compensation and care you, or a loved one deserves.
Now that you have a better understanding of oil rigs accidents, you can confidently perform the rewarding job and know you are converted in case of an injury.
