Injured in an offshore drilling accident near Long Beach, CA? Contact the top Long Beach offshore drilling accident attorney to seek compensation.
Offshore drilling operations involve some of the most dangerous work environments, with heavy machinery, high-pressure equipment, and constantly shifting conditions that can cause catastrophic injuries in seconds. When an accident occurs, whether on a platform, drill rig, support vessel, or subsea operation, you may be left facing severe physical harm, overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and a complex web of maritime legal issues. Employers, drilling contractors, and their insurers often move quickly to protect themselves rather than your interests.
At The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor, our maritime injury attorneys understand the federal laws, industry regulations, and technical evidence required to pursue offshore drilling accident claims. We work with safety experts, engineers, and medical specialists to investigate the cause of your injury, determine liability, and build a strong case that holds negligent parties accountable. Whether your claim involves the Jones Act, unseaworthiness, maintenance and cure, or third-party negligence, we provide experienced advocacy tailored to the unique challenges of offshore accident cases.
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
How the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor Helps Offshore Drilling Accident Victims in Long Beach
The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor represents injured offshore workers from our Long Beach office. We understand the dangerous conditions on oil platforms and drilling rigs operating off the California coast.
Our legal team immediately preserves critical evidence after your accident, including safety logs, surveillance footage, and witness statements. We coordinate with medical specialists who understand offshore injuries and handle all communications with corporate representatives to protect you from tactics designed to minimize your claim.
When the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor represents offshore drilling accident victims, we focus on:
- Immediate preservation of critical evidence, including safety logs, incident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements
- Thorough investigation of unsafe working conditions, equipment failures, and regulatory violations
- Guidance on your rights under maritime law, including Jones Act and related offshore worker protections
Coordination with medical professionals experienced in treating offshore and industrial injuries - Handling all communications with employers, insurers, and corporate defense teams
- Protecting you from pressure, recorded statements, and early low settlement offers
- Building strong claims focused on medical costs, lost wages, future care, and long-term disability
- Providing clear explanations of your legal options through a free case evaluation
You receive a free consultation where we explain your rights under maritime law and outline the best path forward for your recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your Long Beach offshore drilling accident case.
Why You Need a Specialized Long Beach Offshore Drilling Accident Attorney
Offshore drilling accidents involve complex federal maritime laws that differ significantly from standard workplace injury cases. The interplay between multiple statutes creates legal challenges that require an attorney with specific expertise in marine law.
Your case may involve several overlapping legal frameworks. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act governs fixed platforms, while the Jones Act protects vessel crew members. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits for most offshore workers, but Section 905(b) allows additional claims against negligent third parties.
- Strict Federal Deadlines: You have only 30 days to report your injury and one year to file specific claims.
- Multiple Liable Parties: Platform operators, drilling contractors, vessel owners, and equipment manufacturers may all share responsibility.
- Insurance Company Tactics: Corporate insurers often deny valid claims or offer inadequate settlements to unrepresented workers.
An experienced Long Beach offshore accident attorney identifies all applicable laws and ensures you meet every critical deadline while maximizing your compensation.
What Qualifies as an Offshore Drilling Accident in Long Beach Waters
Offshore drilling accidents occur on fixed platforms, floating rigs, and support vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf. These incidents often result from the inherently dangerous combination of heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and harsh marine environments.
Platform fires and explosions represent the most catastrophic offshore accidents. Blowouts occur when drilling operations lose control of sound pressure, potentially causing massive fires or toxic gas releases. Equipment failures involving cranes, derricks, and drilling machinery frequently cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Chemical exposure incidents occur when workers come into contact with drilling mud, hydrogen sulfide, or other toxic substances without proper protective equipment. Transportation accidents involving helicopters, crew boats, and supply vessels also cause numerous offshore injuries each year.
A boating accident involving any of these vessels can have serious consequences for offshore workers.
Who Is Covered Under Maritime Law for Offshore Drilling Injuries
Your job classification and work location determine which maritime laws protect you after an offshore accident. Different statutes provide varying levels of benefits and compensation options.
Fixed platform workers typically receive coverage under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This includes derrick hands, roughnecks, roustabouts, and maintenance personnel working on platforms attached to the seafloor.
Vessel crew members may be considered seamen under the Jones Act if they spend at least 30% of their work time on a vessel in navigation. This includes workers on drillships, semi-submersible rigs, and floating production platforms. Seamen have broader rights than platform workers, including the ability to sue their employers for negligence.
Support personnel such as helicopter pilots, boat captains, and supply vessel crews also receive Jones Act protection. Mixed-status workers who divide time between platforms and vessels require case-by-case analysis to determine their proper legal classification.
What Laws Apply to Offshore Drilling Accidents Near Long Beach
California’s offshore drilling operations are subject to multiple federal and state legal frameworks. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act extends federal jurisdiction beyond state territorial waters while adopting adjacent state laws for certain purposes.
| Law | Coverage | Primary Benefits |
| OCSLA | Fixed platforms beyond state waters | Adopts California law, enables third-party claims |
| LHWCA | Platform workers, harbor workers | Medical benefits, wage replacement, disability compensation |
| Jones Act | Vessel crew members | Employer negligence lawsuits, full damages |
| Section 905(b) | Workers injured by vessel negligence | Additional third-party claims |
Under the Death on the High Seas Act, families may recover damages when offshore workers die in accidents beyond three nautical miles from shore. This federal statute allows wrongful death claims that may not be available under state law.
Fixed Platform vs Floating Rig: How It Affects Your Legal Rights
The distinction between fixed platforms and floating rigs fundamentally changes your legal options and potential compensation. Courts examine the structure’s mobility and operational status at the time of injury.
Fixed platforms are permanently attached to the ocean floor and cannot navigate independently. Workers injured on these structures typically pursue LHWCA benefits plus potential third-party claims against negligent contractors or equipment manufacturers.
Floating rigs include drillships, semi-submersibles, and jack-up rigs that can move between drilling locations. If classified as vessels, crew members may qualify for Jones Act protection, which allows direct lawsuits against employers for negligence.
Jack-up rigs present unique classification challenges because they function as vessels during transit but become fixed structures when jacked up for drilling operations. Your legal status depends on the rig’s operational mode at the time of your injury.
Steps to Take After an Offshore Drilling Accident
Your immediate actions after an offshore accident can significantly impact your legal rights and compensation. Follow these essential steps to protect yourself while the evidence is still available.
Get Medical Care and Report Your Injury Within 30 Days
Seek immediate medical attention for all injuries, regardless of severity. Many offshore injuries worsen over time or involve delayed symptoms that may not appear initially.
You must provide written notice to your employer within 30 days of your accident to preserve your rights under the LHWCA. This notice should describe when, where, and how your injury occurred. Keep copies of all medical records and accident reports for your attorney.
Preserve Evidence and Document the Scene
Take photographs of the accident location, equipment involved, and your visible injuries if possible. Identify witnesses and obtain their contact information before they leave the platform or vessel.
Request copies of all incident reports, safety logs, and surveillance footage from the time of your accident. Companies have a duty to preserve this evidence once they know about your injury, but having your attorney formally demand preservation protects against “accidental” destruction.
Avoid Recorded Statements Without Legal Representation
Do not provide recorded statements to your employer’s insurance company or sign settlement documents without consulting an attorney. These companies often use early statements to minimize or deny valid claims.
Be cautious about accepting medical treatment from company doctors who may prioritize the employer’s interests over your health. You have the right to seek an independent medical evaluation in most cases.
Contact a Long Beach Offshore Drilling Accident Attorney
An experienced Long Beach Offshore attorney can immediately protect your rights and begin building your case. We handle all communications with insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
Call our offshore accident attorneys at 888-440-5829 before speaking to any insurance adjusters.
Who May Be Liable for Your Offshore Drilling Accident
Multiple companies often share responsibility for offshore accidents due to the complex network of contractors and subcontractors involved in drilling operations. Identifying all liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation.
Your Employer and LHWCA Benefits
Your direct employer must provide no-fault medical and wage benefits under the LHWCA regardless of who caused the accident. These benefits include all reasonable medical treatment and two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you cannot work.
However, LHWCA benefits alone rarely provide full compensation for serious offshore injuries. Your attorney will pursue additional claims against other responsible parties to secure complete recovery.
Vessel Owners and Section 905(b) Claims
If a third-party vessel’s negligence contributed to your injury, you may file a separate lawsuit against the vessel owner under Section 905(b) of the LHWCA. This commonly occurs when supply boats, crew boats, or other vessels create dangerous conditions on or around the platform.
These claims allow recovery of full damages, including pain and suffering, which are not available through LHWCA benefits alone.
Contractors and Equipment Manufacturers
Drilling contractors, service companies, and equipment manufacturers may be liable if their negligence caused your accident. Defective blowout preventers, faulty crane equipment, or inadequate safety procedures can create grounds for substantial damage awards.
Product liability claims against equipment manufacturers often provide significant compensation when mechanical failures cause offshore accidents.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an Offshore Drilling Accident
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides maritime workers with coverage for all necessary medical treatments and disability payments equaling two-thirds of their average weekly wage. It also offers vocational rehabilitation and survivor benefits for dependents.
Jones Act Damages
Workers classified as seamen may sue employers directly for negligence. These claims often yield higher recoveries by covering lost wages, future earning capacity, and “non-economic” damages such as physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Third-Party Claims
If a contractor or equipment manufacturer caused your injury, you can file a separate personal injury lawsuit. These third-party claims allow you to seek full financial damages beyond the standard limits of maritime workers’ compensation programs.
Critical Deadlines for Offshore Drilling Accident Claims
Maritime law imposes some of the strictest deadlines in personal injury law. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.
You must notify your employer in writing within 30 days of your offshore accident. This notice preserves your right to LHWCA benefits and starts the claims process. Limited exceptions exist for injuries that develop gradually or when the connection to work is not immediately apparent.
Formal LHWCA claims must be filed within one year of your injury date. Jones Act and unseaworthiness claims have a three-year statute of limitations. Death on the High Seas Act claims must be filed within three years of the worker’s wrongful death.
Evidence preservation is equally time-sensitive. Surveillance footage may be automatically deleted, and witnesses may become unavailable if you delay taking legal action.
Protect your rights by calling 888-440-5829 today for a free case review with our maritime attorneys.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor for Your Offshore Drilling Case
Our firm focuses exclusively on maritime law and represents clients in offshore drilling accident cases. We understand the unique challenges these cases present and have the resources to take on major oil companies and their insurers.
Proven Track Record:
We have secured multi-million dollar settlements and jury awards for injured offshore workers throughout California
Local Presence:
Our Long Beach location allows immediate response to accidents on platforms and vessels operating from local ports
Industry Recognition:
Charles D. Naylor has been recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for excellence in admiralty and maritime law
Contingency Fee Representation:
You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case
We handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on healing from your injuries. Our team works with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and industry professionals to build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Beach Offshore Drilling Accident Claims
Do I Qualify for LHWCA Benefits if I Was Injured on a Fixed Platform Near Long Beach?
Yes, most workers injured on fixed platforms located on the Outer Continental Shelf qualify for LHWCA benefits through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act extension.
Can I Sue My Employer if I Was Working on a Floating Drilling Rig?
If you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, you can sue your employer for negligence in addition to receiving maintenance and cure benefits. Your seaman status depends on your connection to the vessel and the time you spend aboard.
What Happens if Both My Employer and a Third Party Caused My Offshore Accident?
You can receive LHWCA benefits from your employer while simultaneously pursuing a third-party negligence lawsuit against other responsible parties, such as contractors or vessel owners.
How Long Do I Have to File an Offshore Drilling Accident Claim?
You must notify your employer within 30 days and file your LHWCA claim within one year. Jones Act claims have a three-year statute of limitations, but evidence preservation requires immediate action.
Will You Help Preserve Evidence from My Offshore Drilling Accident?
Yes, we immediately send legal preservation notices to all potential defendants demanding they preserve drilling logs, safety records, surveillance footage, and other critical evidence that could support your claim.
Contact the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor Today
If you suffered injuries in an offshore drilling accident, time is critical for protecting your legal rights. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor is ready to put our five decades of maritime law experience to work for your case.
We understand the local maritime industry and the specific hazards offshore workers face. Contact us to consultation with an experienced Long Beach offshore drilling accident attorney.
We are available 24/7 to respond to offshore emergencies and begin protecting your rights immediately.
