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Texas workers on offshore oil rigs are often exposed to many dangerous working conditions that can lead to fires and explosions. A wide range of factors can contribute to these accidents. Unfortunately, these types of accidents often lead to serious injuries and fatalities.
Victims of offshore oil rig explosions can face physical pain, emotional distress, and economic hardship because of an injury. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation if you were injured because of someone else’s negligence. Experienced offshore oil rig lawyers can help explain the legal options available to you after an accident on an offshore rig.
If you were injured because of an offshore rig explosion, get help recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Texas offshore oil rig lawyers by calling The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797 for a free case review.
Forms of Employers’ Negligence that Lead to Injuries in Texas Offshore Oil Rig Explosions
Many offshore rig fires and explosions occur because an employer failed to follow proper safety protocol. Employers on offshore oil rigs should look out for the safety of their employees. If you were injured in an offshore rig explosion because of faulty equipment or an employer’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation in a lawsuit.
There are certain fire prevention tips that should be taken to prevent fires and explosions on offshore rigs. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can help establish negligence on behalf of an employer who failed to adhere to the following safety procedures:
Alarm and Mass Notification Systems
Having working fire detection systems is required by law. An alarm system should be in place to alert employees in the event of a fire on an offshore rig. Fires spread quickly and can often lead to explosions on offshore rigs. Workers who are not notified of a fire on an offshore rig are at great risk of being injured. Employers managing offshore rigs should also implement a notification system that calls or sends messages to all of their employees in emergency situations.
Readily Available Emergency Equipment
On offshore rigs, workers cannot wait for the arrival of emergency services in the event of an explosion or fire. Having fire suppression systems on hand is crucial to preventing explosions on offshore rigs. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers may recover compensation if you were injured in an offshore rig explosion because your employer did not have the proper emergency equipment available.
Proper Training on Fire Prevention and Response
In addition to having emergency equipment on hand, employers should also provide offshore rig workers in Texas with proper training on how to prevent and respond to fires. Workers should be trained on how to use emergency equipment. Furthermore, all employees should know exactly how to react in the event of a fire. Failing to implement proper fire prevention and response procedures can result in serious injuries from explosions on offshore rigs.
Dangerous Gas Monitoring Systems
Workers on offshore oil rigs often work near dangerous gases which are the byproducts of petrochemicals. These gases are flammable and combustible, meaning they can cause explosions. Employers on offshore rigs in Texas should implement gas monitoring systems to protect their employees from explosions. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can help gather evidence to determine if your employer had proper gas monitoring systems in place after an offshore rig explosion.
Fire Safety Inspections
Lastly, employers on offshore rigs should regularly perform thorough fire safety inspections. This can include testing alarm systems, testing fire suppression devices, and evaluating entire worksites for potential hazards and risks. If a fire hazard or risk is detected on an offshore rig, immediate steps should be taken to address the issue.
How Common Are Explosions on Offshore Rigs in Texas?
Some of the most devastating oil disasters in history have involved explosions on offshore rigs. Offshore rig explosions are tracked by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. In the past, offshore explosions on oil rigs were less common. However, in 2010 through 2020, there were 25 offshore incidents involving explosions. This is partly because this time period saw overall growth in the industry and rapid development of the technologies used to pump oil faster.
Although the modern world is searching for alternative energy sources, the demand for oil is still very high. This means more and more drilling accidents may occur. Employers often attempt to cut corners by purchasing cheaper equipment or ignoring safety procedures to turn a higher profit. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can provide assistance if you were injured in an offshore rig explosion because of an employer’s negligence.
Damages Available in Offshore Rig Explosion Lawsuits in Texas
The injuries that can result from an offshore rig explosion can be devastating. Accordingly, there are several categories of damages that may be available to you if you were injured because of another’s negligence in an offshore rig explosion. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can help recover any of the following damages:
Medical Expenses
You may require intensive medical treatment after suffering an offshore rig explosion. Fortunately, an at-fault party may be liable for your medical expenses. These damages cover a variety of costs from emergency medivacs to rehabilitative treatment.
Lost Wages
You will likely be forced to miss work after an offshore rig explosion. Accordingly, you may be compensated for lost wages incurred because of your injury. Many injuries suffered by offshore oil rig explosions are permanent or life threatening. Therefore, you may also recover damages for a loss of future earning capacity if an injury affects your ability to work in the future.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are a form of noneconomic damages that compensate victims for the physical pain and emotional distress they suffer because of an accident. However, pain and suffering can be difficult to account for. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can help support a claim for pain and suffering damages after an offshore rig explosion.
Disfigurement and Scarring
Victims of offshore rig explosions may also be compensated for any disfigurement and scarring related to the accident. Such injuries are frequently suffered by those injured in bad fires or explosions on offshore oil rigs.
Loss of Consortium
Lastly, serious injuries suffered in offshore oil rig explosions may affect intimate relationships between partners and spouses. Our Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers can help recover damages for the loss of companionship you suffered because of your injury in an offshore rig explosion.
If You Were Injured in an Offshore Rig Explosion in Texas, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of an offshore rig explosion, seek assistance from experienced Texas offshore oil rig explosion lawyers by calling The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797 for a free case review.