Maritime and drilling regulators recently vowed to keep a closer watch on oil companies and contractors that they say are consistently cutting corners on offshore safety. The Coast Guard delivered that message to oil industry representatives on the final day of the Offshore Technology Conference in May 2014.
The Coast Guard will consider launching unannounced inspections of offshore vessels after some logged more than 5 deficiencies during scheduled probes. The Coast Guard already conducts unannounced inspections of some cruise ships. That same model could be applied to other offshore oil and gas vessels with bad track records.
A spate of recent accidents have highlighted the risks of offshore oil and gas exploration. In its probe of a fatal Gulf of Mexico oil platform blast that killed 3 offshore workers in November 2012, the Coast Guard blamed Houston based Black Elk Energy and its contractor for failing to make sure areas were cleared of explosive gas before welding.
If you or a loved one has suffered an offshore injury, learn about your legal rights from an experienced Louisiana maritime injury attorney by filling out our free, no obligation case review form located on this website.
Other Offshore-Maritime Accidents News
Offshore work is one of the most dangerous professions in the country, and workers and their families may not fully realize the risks until it’s too late.
Offshore accidents can cause irreversible injuries even if someone survives. If you or someone you know has been injured in an offshore accident, you may wonder if you should hire an offshore accident attorney.
One of the greatest risks of offshore injuries isn’t when workers are performing their duties – it’s when they are transported to offshore job sites. Reports show that most offshore worker fatalities occur during travel to and from work.
U.S. maritime law protects offshore workers on vessels flying an American flag, and legal recourse is available for injured workers or the families of those fatally injured. But what about employees on foreign-flagged ships, which lack American safety and liability requirements?
Understanding who qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act is important because offshore workers are not covered by workers’ compensation. When an offshore accident happens, workers may be able to sue their employer for personal injuries under the Jones Act.
New Orleans, LA Maritime Injury Lawyer What you do (or don’t do) after you are injured in an offshore accident will ultimately determine whether or not you are treated fairly in your claim for compensation. [...]
