It can be rewarding and dangerous to work on an offshore oil rig, and if you are injured while doing your job, you need a committed California offshore oil rig injury lawyer to defend your rights.
An oil rig injury can result in expensive medical bills and lost income, regardless of whether the injury occurred during drilling operations or a crane accident on deck.
Our staff at the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor is dedicated to getting you the money you are due and is knowledgeable about the nuances of offshore and maritime injury laws.
The Harsh Reality: Frequency of Offshore Accidents
Working on an oil rig in the ocean is still one of the most dangerous jobs, and accidents happen constantly.
This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people whose lives will never be the same because of the risks.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) says that between 2012 and 2020, thousands of incidents on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf caused more than 1,600 injuries and 23 deaths.
More recent BSEE data shows that hundreds of people are hurt every year.
This shows how everyday dangerous things like fires, explosions, transportation accidents, slips, and contact with heavy machinery are. These aren’t just small bumps; they can cause severe burns, broken bones, crushing injuries, amputations, and even death.
These frequent and often terrible events show why you need strong legal help for those affected.
A California offshore oil rig injury lawyer knows a lot about maritime law, and it is necessary to hold negligent parties accountable. They will make sure you get the justice and money you deserve.
Offshore Oil Rig Injury & Jones Act
The federal Jones Act says that maritime workers who are hurt on the job can sue their employer or co-worker for damages if they were careless and broke the law.
We use these federal laws to hold negligent parties accountable as an offshore oil rig injury lawyer in California.
A Jones Act lawsuit lets you go after all of your damages—medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering—against your employer if their ship was not seaworthy or didn’t follow safety rules and caused your accident. This is different from most workers’ compensation claims.
The Jones Act stops ship owners and operators from avoiding responsibility by blaming other people.
We carefully gather evidence, such as witness statements, maintenance logs, and expert testimony, to build a strong case if a broken piece of equipment caused your fall or if a co-worker’s careless use of heavy machinery caused your injury.
Our company’s extensive maritime practice, which includes a team of experienced Jones Act lawyers, makes sure that every part of your case gets the attention it needs.
Offshore Oil Rig Injuries and the Death on the High Seas Act
Sadly, some oil rig accidents cause people to die.
When someone dies in such a tragic way, their surviving family members may be able to use the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) to get money for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
DOHSA applies to deaths that happen more than three nautical miles from U.S. shores, which is often where offshore drilling occurs.
As experienced maritime injury attorneys, we assist families in comprehending the intersection of DOHSA and the Jones Act. If you need a caring California offshore oil rig injury lawyer, we can explain how the Jones Act helps surviving spouses and dependents when the person who died was a Jones Act seaman.
We can also explain how DOHSA helps people get more money when the death occurred on the high seas.
Our caring lawyers ensure that families get all the help they need, from filing timely notices with the Department of Transportation to negotiating with ship owners and insurance companies.
How do I qualify as a Jones Act seaman?
Offshore oil rig workers have a hazardous and dedicated job. You trust that the rig’s powerful machinery and the harsh sea weather will keep you safe daily.
But after a bad injury, a new wave of worry can come over you: “Will I even be covered?”
Knowing how to qualify as a Jones Act seaman is more than just a legal technicality; it’s the key to essential protections that could pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care, giving you a lifeline when you need it most.
To be a Jones Act seaman, you must do more than step on a ship. It’s about the core of your job and how you connect with the ocean daily.
First, your job must help the ship do or carry out its mission. This could mean drilling, making things, or moving supplies.
Dedicated deckhands, skilled drill operators, and meticulous crane technicians usually meet this requirement because their daily tasks are critical to the rig’s complicated and dangerous operations. Your hard work is directly helping the ship do its job.
Second, and this can be a big problem, you have to spend a lot of your working time, at least 30 percent, on that boat in safe waters. This isn’t just a casual presence; it’s about a strong and lasting connection to the ship.
If you have to travel between different platforms or do a lot of necessary work on land, meeting this threshold can feel like an unfair challenge that makes you wonder where you stand.
Our company faces this uncertainty. We work hard with experienced maritime professionals to carefully check your work logs, shift schedules, and detailed job descriptions to ensure you are a seaman.
We know how important this title is for your future. Once you officially qualify, the relief can be huge.
You can then file a strong Jones Act claim against your employer for negligence, which means they are responsible for unsafe conditions, inadequate training that put you in danger, or not having enough safety measures that caused your injury.
What Are Some Common Injuries Covered in an Oil Rig Injury Claim in California?
Oil rig workers face a broad spectrum of hazards, resulting in injuries that can have lifelong implications. Typical injuries covered by an offshore oil rig injury claim include:
Broken bones
Fractures from heavy equipment drops, slips on wet decks, or rig malfunction.
Traumatic brain injuries
Head trauma from falling objects or sudden jolts during drilling operations.
Back and neck injuries
Herniated discs or whiplash from machinery impact or slip-and-fall incidents.
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis or partial paralysis following crush accidents or deck collapses.
Paralysis
When severe spinal trauma on the rig causes long-term loss of function.
Each injury type requires specialized medical and legal attention.
For example, compensation for a fractured femur might include hospital bills, prosthetic costs, and rehabilitation, while a brain injury claim may involve long-term cognitive therapy and attendant care.
Our firm’s thorough investigation, partnering with top maritime medical experts, helps quantify these damages accurately.
Common Oil Rig Accidents That Can Occur at Sea
Unfortunately, accidents on offshore platforms are common and often stem from a range of hazardous scenarios unique to the maritime environment.
Understanding these risks is crucial for anyone working in or near these demanding operations.
| Accident Type | Common Causes | Potential Injuries |
| Fire and Explosions | Gas leaks, drilling blowouts, ignition of flammable materials | Severe burns, smoke inhalation, catastrophic fatalities |
| Transportation Accidents | Rough seas, mechanical failures, pilot error during crew boat or helicopter transport | Catastrophic outcomes, including drownings or severe impact trauma |
| Slips, Trips, and Falls | Wet/oily surfaces, cluttered walkways, unguarded edges, unstable platforms | Fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, severe sprains |
| Contact with Equipment/Objects | Heavy machinery, rotating drill bits, suspended loads, swinging pipes | Crushing injuries, amputations, lacerations, blunt force trauma |
Our California offshore oil rig injury lawyers carefully put together each accident by looking at rig design blueprints, equipment maintenance records, and safety logs to determine exactly how and why it happened.
We can hold maritime employers responsible under both the Jones Act and general maritime law if we prove negligence, such as using faulty equipment, not training employees properly, or not having reasonable emergency procedures.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) gives the federal government control over offshore areas where oil rigs work. OCSLA ensures that federal rules about safety and the environment apply to building platforms, drilling, and ensuring that workers are safe.
We use OCSLA provisions to argue that rig operators and contractors must follow rules set by agencies like the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when we are maritime injury lawyers.
For instance, if a rig inspection report shows that safety harnesses don’t meet standards or gas detection alarms don’t work, we collect these documents to show that OCSLA was broken.
This layered approach, along with Jones Act claims, gives injured workers or their families the best chance of getting money back by showing negligence at more than one level of regulation.
Contact the California Offshore Oil Rig Injury Lawyers at Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor for a FREE Consultation
Offshore oil rig injuries demand immediate, expert legal intervention. If you or a loved one suffered an injury while working on a California oil rig, you need a legal team that understands maritime law and local regulations.
At the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor, we offer a free consultation to discuss your case and outline potential strategies under the Jones Act, DOHSA, and OCSLA.
Offshore Oil Rig Injury Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a Jones Act claim?
Under the Jones Act, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, prompt legal action is essential to preserve vital evidence and witness recollections.
Can I sue my company if I’m an independent contractor on the rig?
Independent contractors may face different eligibility for Jones Act protection. In many cases, Jones Act coverage extends only to “seamen.” Still, you may pursue a claim under general maritime law if negligence by the rig operator or contractor caused your injury.
How do I qualify as a Jones Act seaman?
To be considered a seaman under the Jones Act, your duties must contribute to the vessel’s mission and spend at least 30% of your working time aboard. Our firm carefully evaluates your role to determine eligibility and protect your rights.
What compensation can I recover for an offshore oil rig injury?
Victims can seek economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish). Punitive damages may also apply in egregious cases, such as gross negligence.
What happens if my loved one dies on the rig?
Surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under the Jones Act and DOHSA. This can cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. We guide families through every step of this emotionally trying process.
