Offshore oil rig jobs: Generous pay and dangerous work
Photo by WORKSITE Ltd. on Unsplash
Despite the ongoing shift to renewable energy, the world will need oil for years. And much of that oil will come from the seabed, sometimes dozens of miles off the coast and thousands of feet below the seafloor.
Offshore drilling provides 15% of crude oil in America, and deepwater oil production is only expanding.
The surging energy demand is fueling the hunt for offshore oil. The business is booming for drilling companies, while offshore rig workers receive generous pay.
For offshore oil rig workers, the lucrative wages come with a hefty dose of danger. Working at an offshore oil production site is one of the most dangerous jobs you can do. For example, offshore drilling workers are seven times more likely to die on the job than the average American worker.
An accident on an offshore drilling rig can greatly affect your health and financial condition. If you sustain an injury at an offshore drilling site, you may qualify for monetary compensation to cover your damages.
What are the dangers of working on an offshore oil rig?
Those working at offshore oil and gas production sites face many dangers. While offshore drilling is replete with hazards for workers, many of the accidents can be avoided.
Like any other industry, offshore drilling companies are responsible for providing safe working conditions for their teams. This includes following workplace safety guidelines and ensuring proper maintenance of equipment and platforms.
When companies try to cut costs with safety, they put their workers in greater danger of accidents.
Below are some of the dangers you face as an oil rig worker:
- Fires and explosions
Fires and explosion accidents are common on offshore drilling rigs, frequently causing severe injuries and deaths. One of the worst offshore oil rig fire and explosion accidents is the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout.
Oil rigs use various flammable substances in their daily operations. These can leak due to system failures, causing fires and explosions when exposed to open flames or struck by lightning.
- Toxic substance exposure
The oil production process involves the use of various chemicals. Many of these substances are hazardous. Thus, inhalation and exposure cause respiratory conditions or cancer.
Those working on oil rigs may also be exposed to toxic fumes or other byproducts of the drilling operation.
- Fall accidents
Falls are another common hazard for drilling rig workers. For example, workers can fall from tripping over objects or uneven surfaces. Moreover, workers can also slip and fall due to oil or water spills on the decks or equipment.
Sometimes falls stem from exposure to substances that cause disorientation or dizziness. Anti-skid deck plating, guardrails, and personal fall arrest systems can prevent falls.
- Machinery accidents
From spinning chains to conveyors and compressors, those working on oil rigs are often near or working on dangerous machinery. Workers can be struck by equipment, trapped between moving parts of a machine, or electrocuted.
- Extreme weather
Extreme weather conditions can pose a significant danger to those working offshore. For example, severe storms with heavy rainfall, powerful waves, and extreme winds can cause serious havoc on offshore rigs. In such conditions, offshore rig workers can be struck by lightning, pushed off the rig, or hit by objects blown by wind.
- Transport accidents
Boats and helicopters transport workers and supplies between a land base and an offshore rig. Most of the fatal offshore drilling accidents are due to transport accidents.
Sometimes, bad weather is to blame for these accidents. Other times, though, these accidents occur because of transport vessel defects. Helicopter accidents are often deadly.
What compensation can you get for an offshore oil rig accident?
Accidents or illnesses suffered on the job at an offshore oil drilling site may qualify for compensation. Various forms of compensation are available, depending on the severity of the injury and specific facts of the accident.
Below are the common forms of compensation in offshore oil rig accidents:
- Medical expenses
You may be able to reimburse all expenses related to the medical treatment of your injury. These include diagnosis tests, hospital stays, doctor consultations, surgeries, and medication.
If you develop a chronic condition due to your injuries, you may be compensated for future medical costs. An oil rig accident can lead to spinal injuries or cause you to inhale toxic fumes, resulting in long-lasting health complications.
- Lost wages
If you cannot work due to your injury, you can seek compensation for lost income. This is usually for each day you do not receive a pay.
You may also be eligible for compensation for lost future earnings if your injury is so severe that it limits your future earnings potential. This might be a result of a disability that forces you to switch to a lower-paying job or only work part-time.
- Permanent disability benefits
Permanent disability compensation covers loss of physical function. For example, if you lost a hand or leg or suffered impaired vision or hearing in an oil rig accident, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
Additionally, you can seek compensation for disfigurement and long-term assistance needs arising from your disability.
- Pain and suffering
Oil rig accident injuries can cause significant physical pain and mental anguish. Compensation addresses the physical discomfort and emotional distress you endured as a result of the accident.
Pain and suffering are non-economic damages, which are generally challenging to assign a dollar amount. An experienced oil rig accident lawyer can assist with assessing your pain and suffering damages.
- Punitive damages
You may be able to seek punitive damages if the accident is due to gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This might be the case if the accident is due to your company’s intentional disregard of workplace safety protocols or violation of regulatory requirements.
Courts award punitive damages to punish the party at fault and discourage others from misconduct in the future. While punitive damages can be substantial, the burden of proof is high.
The payout you may receive in an oil rig accident claim depends on various factors. These include the seriousness of your injury and the strength of your case.
Seek legal representation
Although oil rig jobs are generally dangerous, accidents can be prevented. In many cases, accidents stem from oil rig companies’ failure to adhere to workplace safety standards.
However, these companies will almost always refuse to take responsibility when accidents happen. Instead, they will blame you for the accident and try to deny you any compensation. Proving liability in offshore rig accidents can be hard if you are on your own.
If you or a loved one suffer an injury on the job at an offshore oil drilling site, it pays to have a good lawyer on your side as soon as possible. A lawyer with experience in maritime law can help you gather evidence to build a strong case and ensure you are adequately compensated.
