Oil Rig Accidents in Houston, Texas
Injuries on the open water are dictated by the Jones Act or Seaman’s Injuries. The Jones Act was created to protect the seaman who is injured while at work due to the failure of his employer to have a safe workplace. There are many different seaman who are covered by the Jones Act such as rig and platform workers, offshore platform workers, tankers, barge workers, freighter crews, jack-up rig workers, sailors and seaman.
The employer is responsible for making sure that the workplace is free from hazards such as collisions, injuries sustained while boarding or leaving the vessel, unsecured loads, slippery decks, and falling injuries.
Is my oil rig accident covered by the Jones Act?
Ships, offshore oil rigs, barges and river boats are just a few of the vessels that would fall under the Jones Act. Pursuant to the Jones Act the injured seaman must prove that his or her employer was negligent and as such did not provide him with a safe workplace. This is contrary to a workers’ compensation claim in which determining fault is not an issue. Cases involving admiralty or maritime law can be filed in both state and federal court. It is a critical to know which court to file in and why. If a seaman is killed or suffers a serious injury while at sea, his employer may be held liable. It is critical in these cases to conduct an immediate investigation into the facts and circumstances of the accident. Obtaining all of the evidence as quickly as possible can make all the difference in getting a favorable outcome.
Due to the very nature of the work, working on an oil rig can be dangerous and often times results in catastrophic injuries such as amputation, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, burns and crush injuries. It is important to obtain the medical attention necessary, and the injury attorneys Houston Texas at Grossman Law Offices are capable of helping get you the compensation you need to cover those medical bills.