New Orleans Offshore Platform Accident Lawyer

New Orleans Offshore Platform Accident Attorney

Offshore rigs and platforms are among the most hazardous worksites in the state. If you were injured while working on one of these vessels, you need to talk with a New Orleans offshore platform accident lawyer. An attorney can help you recover workers’ compensation or other forms of compensation that may be able to cover your financial and personal losses.

Offshore platform accidents can be a frequent occurrence due to the high levels of risk associated with maintaining these platforms and the machinery on them. Workers on these kinds of projects often need to exercise extreme caution, as even a minor mistake can result in a catastrophic event — as the recent Deepwater Horizon event goes to show. When errors are made, many employees can be injured.

Employers and platform owners are expected to maintain a certain standard of care when providing a working environment, which includes compliance with all occupational safety and health standards. When they fail to do this, their employees suffer the consequences.

Furthermore, employees on offshore platforms are protected under Admiralty and Maritime Law  and may be entitled to compensation if injured while on the job. Because of the unique maritime laws, employees can recover additional compensation when another party, such as another employee or their employer, is liable.

Have you suffered an injury on an offshore platform, our attorneys have the experience to help! Contact us online or call (504) 586-3535 today!

Let Hammond Law Firm, LLC Support You After an Offshore Platform Accident

The team at Hammond Law Firm, LLC wants to provide you with exceptional and diligent legal representation. Maritime laws can be complex, and you deserve to secure the most available compensation. We have a deep understanding of these laws and how they affect offshore platform employees, and we can use this information to benefit your case.

Our team can determine whether you are owed workers’ compensation or other benefits and calculate the damages that you are owed. Every workplace injury is unique, and it is crucial that your legal support is tailored to your needs and understands the specific cause of your injuries. When another party’s negligence causes your injuries, there may be other options. We take the time to thoroughly investigate the cause of your incident.

When you are injured on the job, you deserve financial support. Let our team help you secure that support, recovering damages like medical bills, unearned income, and other financial losses. Our firm has supported injured employees in our communities for years, and we have over 40 years of collective legal experience. We want to help you financially recover.

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Acts (OCSLA) states that it is the responsibility of a lease holder, or owner in lieu of a lease, to keep the places of employment “in compliance with occupational safety and health standards” and to “maintain all operations in compliance with regulations intended to protect persons.”

The applicable set of laws and the type of protections afforded to the worker are determined by the following three factors:

• The type of structure, craft, or vessel
• The condition of the injured maritime worker
• The location of the platform at the time of the injury

Why do these variables matter? Suppose that your injury occurred on a fixed offshore platform. In that case, the OCSLA may distribute jurisdiction to the state adjacent to that body of water and you may not be eligible to Seaman rights. On the other hand, if your injury occurred on a floating platform, such as a floating oil rig, your case may fall under the  Jones Act,  which falls under Federal jurisdiction. If you are unsure as under what set of laws your  personal injury lawsuit  falls under, the  Hammond Law Firm legal team  is more than happy to help you navigate through your claim.

If your case qualifies under the  Jones Act,  you may be eligible for  Maintenance and Cure. which obligates the employer to compensate the injured crewmember for living and medical expenses for the duration of the injury. If the employer or platform owner was negligent, you may also be compensated for lost wages and non-economic costs, such as pain and suffering. To be eligible for rights guaranteed under the Jones Act, you must prove your status as a Seaman, which is legally defined as an employee who spends at least 30 percent of his or her work hours on a floating offshore platform of vessel.

New Orleans and Maritime Employees on Offshore Platforms

Louisiana has the greatest number of maritime jobs of all the states and the highest concentration of those jobs. One-fifth of all jobs in the state are estimated to be related to the maritime industry. New Orleans holds one of the busiest ports in the entire world, and many employees of offshore platforms and rigs in the oil and gas industry live out of the city. The Houma-Thibodaux and the greater New Orleans areas have a large concentration of the state’s maritime jobs.

What Are Common Types of Offshore Platform Accidents?

Numerous types of accidents can happen while on offshore platforms. Unfortunately, many of these incidents could have been prevented if proper care was taken by all individuals and entities involved. Some of the most common incidents include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents. Slip and trip hazards are common on platforms due to the equipment needs and weather hazards inherent in the work site. Falls can be especially dangerous because of the surrounding environment. Any fall could cause serious injury, but a fall from a great height can cause disabling or fatal injuries.

• Machinery malfunctions and equipment contact. Offshore platforms use and operate a lot of equipment in oil and gas extraction. Machinery accidents can happen for several reasons, including reckless behavior near the equipment, poorly maintained or repaired machines, or improperly trained employees operating the equipment.

• Dangerous chemical exposure. Spills or poorly ventilated areas can expose employees to dangerous substances and chemicals. These chemicals can cause skin damage or respiratory harm.

• Fires and explosions. The hazards present on offshore platforms create a high risk of electrical, thermal, or chemical fires and even explosions.

Contact Hammond Law Firm LLC in New Orleans, LA

Maritime Law  can be a complex and confusing area of our legal code, which is why having an experienced attorney can make all the difference in the success of your personal injury lawsuit. Peirce Hammond  has been practicing Maritime Law since first entering private practice in 1990, and has ample experience in offshore accidents and  Jones Act  cases. His determined and tried approach to offshore platform accidents and injuries cases can help you attain the compensation you deserve.

If you have suffered an injury while working on an offshore platform, please contact us online or call at  (504) 586-3535  to schedule your free case review today