Workers involved in offshore oil drilling operations often must use a jack-up rig, a mobile type of oil rig platform that can be raised or lowered. However, working on a jack-up rig can be extremely dangerous and cause serious accidents. Some of these accidents occur due to:
- Failure to properly secure the rig
- Failure to properly maintain the equipment
- Explosions and fires caused by electrical lines near the water
- Falling objects or unsecured machinery
- Slip-and-falls from the platform
As a result of a jack-up oil rig accident, workers may experience a myriad of injuries including:
- Head and brain injuries caused by blunt force trauma
- Burns and lacerations
- Amputated limbs
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains/strains
- Paralysis
Recovering damages after a jack-up rig accident
Workers injured in a jack-up rig accident can recover damages for their injuries under the Jones Act. A jack-up rig is generally considered as a ‘vessel’ under the Jones Act due to its mobility.
If the unseaworthiness of the vessel and negligence is established, jack-up rig workers and other injured seamen may receive maintenance benefits for their medical care and cure benefits for their lost wages after an on-the-job accident. The injured party may also be able to sue their employers for negligence to recover personal injury damages.
Jack-up rig workers, oil rig workers, and other offshore workers put their lives at risk every day, and unsafe working conditions make their jobs even more dangerous. If you are injured while working, an attorney specializing in maritime law can help make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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