Oil rig workers often face long hours of physical work in extreme weather conditions. Because of these factors, oil rigs are perhaps one of the most dangerous places to work. However, if you’re injured on an oil rig, your injuries shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘just one of those things’. Your employer has a legal duty to protect you and you could be compensated for any injuries if they were down to your employer’s negligence. Our guide on oil rig accident claims will show you when you could be eligible to claim compensation and how much might be paid.

To make things easier, we offer a no-obligation review of your claim over the phone. In your call, free legal advice will be supplied and we’ll answer your queries. If it looks like your claim is strong enough, one of our personal injury solicitors may accept your case. If they do, it’ll be managed from beginning to end on a No Win No Fee basis.

Call 0800 652 4881 to discuss your case right away or continue reading for more on oil rig accident claims.

Am I Eligible To Make An Oil Rig Accident Claim?

Generally, to be eligible to make an oil rig accident claim for compensation you’ll need to prove that:

• Your employer failed to uphold their duty of care by being negligent; and
• You had an accident on an oil rig as a result; and
• You were made ill or sustained injuries because of the accident.

Although you might think all of the above points are true and you have a strong case, you’ll still need evidence to prove your case. Therefore, later in this guide, we’ll explain what evidence could be used to support an oil rig accident claim.

Types Of Negligence That Can Lead To Oil Rig Accident Claims

As you’ll see from above, you could claim compensation for an oil rig accident that was caused by your employer’s negligence. That means it may be possible to seek damages if your accident on an oil rig was caused by:

• Poor safety standards.
• A lack of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Inadequate training at work.
• A lack of proper rest breaks leading to accidents caused by fatigue.
• Damaged, faulty or poorly maintained machinery or equipment.
• Your employer’s failure to carry out proper and regular risk assessments.

If you are involved in an oil rig accident caused by your employer’s mistakes, please call to see if you’re eligible to claim.

Common Types Of Accidents & Injuries On Oil Rigs

Due to the nature of the job various types of injuries can happen on oil rigs. However, if negligence by somebody else is the cause, you could claim compensation. Some common oil rig-related accidents and injuries include:

• Burns. Oil rigs involve the handling of flammable materials, and accidents such as explosions or fires can lead to severe burns.
• Slip, trip, and fall injuries. Oil rigs have various elevated platforms, walkways, and slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents, which can result in fractured bones, head injuries, and soft-tissue injuries.
• Crush injuries. Heavy machinery and equipment are used on oil rigs, and workers can suffer crush injuries if caught between moving parts or objects.
• Falling object injuries. Due to the nature of the work, objects or equipment can fall from heights and strike oil rig workers, causing head injuries, fractures, or other serious injuries.
• Musculoskeletal injuries. The physically demanding nature of working on an oil rig can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, such as strains, sprains, and repetitive strain injuries.
• Exposure to hazardous substances. Workers on oil rigs may come into contact with toxic substances, chemicals, or gases, leading to illnesses or injuries, including respiratory diseases or chemical burns.
• Drowning or near-drowning. Given the offshore locations of many oil rigs, there is a risk of drowning or near-drowning incidents during emergency situations or when working near water.
• Helicopter accidents. Transportation to and from offshore oil rigs often involves helicopters, and accidents involving helicopters can result in severe injuries or fatalities.

Whatever type of oil rig accident you were involved in, please let us know about your injuries and we’ll provide free advice about whether you could be compensated.

Will I Be Sacked For Making An Oil Rig Accident Claim?

You can’t be sacked because of the fact you’ve made a personal injury claim against your employer for a legitimate reason. In fact, your employer cannot pick on you, threaten you, deny overtime or training or single you out in any way simply because you’ve taken legal action against them. Any such action could constitute unfair or constructive dismissal.

If you do wish to claim and one of our solicitors takes on your case, they will manage the whole process for you. As such, you won’t need to discuss your case with your employer or their insurers as your solicitor will handle all communication on your behalf.

If you’d like us to help you claim compensation for an accident on an oil rig, your call will be handled confidentially and your employer will only be contacted if you decide to proceed with a claim.

How Much Compensation For An Accident On An Oil Rig?

Although there isn’t a set compensation amount you’d get for an injury due to an accident on an oil rig, you can use the calculator below to get some idea of potential payout amounts for general damages.

As generally required in a personal injury claim, you’ll need a medical assessment to help determine the correct level of compensation. Typically, this will involve a meeting with an independent medical expert (usually arranged by your solicitor) who’ll examine you and discuss any injuries so that they can explain your prognosis.

On top of your physical injuries, compensation could also cover:

• Flashbacks, PTSD and other forms of damage to mental health.
• Lost income (including any reduction in future earnings).
• The cost of care.
• Travel expenses.
• The cost of modifying your home or car so that you can cope with any ongoing disabilities easier.
• Loss of enjoyment of hobbies or activities disrupted by the oil rig accident.
• Private medical and rehabilitation costs.
• The cost of replacing items damaged in your accident.

As you can see, you will need to think hard about how you’ve suffered following an oil rig accident. If you work with a solicitor from our team, they’ll use their experience to try and ensure you’re properly compensated and your award covers all of your sufferings.

Evidence To Support An Oil Rig Accident Claim

The more evidence you have when you contact us the better. Usually, the types of evidence that can help with oil rig accident claims include:

• Incident reports. Ask for copies of any incident reports filed by your employer or the oil rig operator. These reports should detail the accident, including the date, time, location, and a description of what happened.
• Medical records. Your medical records, including hospital records, doctor’s notes, test results, and any other relevant medical evidence of your injuries, the treatments you received, and any ongoing medical issues resulting from the oil rig accident.
• Witness statements. Collect statements from witnesses who were present during the accident or who have relevant information about the conditions leading up to it. Witness statements can provide valuable firsthand accounts and support your version of events.
• Photographs. If you can, take photographs or videos of the oil rig accident scene, equipment involved, hazardous conditions, and any visible injuries. Visual evidence can be compelling in demonstrating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
• CCTV recordings. If the accident happened in an area of the oil rig covered by CCTV cameras, you should request a copy. This request shouldn’t be delayed as recordings aren’t always kept for too long.
• Safety records. Request safety records, including maintenance and inspection reports for any equipment and/or machinery involved in the accident on the oil rig. These records can reveal whether proper maintenance was conducted and if there were any known safety concerns.
• Employment records. Your employment records can help verify your employment status, job responsibilities, and any previous incidents or complaints related to safety issues on the oil rig. These records can help establish your work history and any relevant prior incidents.
• Financial losses. Keep records of any financial losses resulting from the oil rig accident, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, or reduced earning capacity. These records can support your claim for special damages compensation.

Don’t worry if you’ve not got all of the evidence listed because if your claim is taken on, your solicitor will work hard to try and secure it for you.

Oil Rig Accident Claim Time Limits

If you’re to receive compensation for an oil rig accident, you’ll need to be aware of the 3-year time limit. Claims made outside this period can be refused which means you’ll miss out on any compensation due.

The time limit generally starts from either:

• The date on which the oil rig accident occurred; or
• From when you were aware of your injuries (i.e. when a doctor diagnosed your respiratory problems were linked to your work).

Starting your claim as soon as possible will usually mean there’s enough time for medical reports and supporting evidence to be found. Also, if your employer has accepted liability, you could be paid interim compensation payments to help you if you’re struggling to pay care or medical costs because you’re not working.

Fatal Oil Rig Injury Claims

Whilst quite rare, some oil rig accidents do lead to fatalities. If you’ve lost a loved one in such an accident, we understand that no level of compensation will make their passing any easier.

However, if you realise that your loss is causing you financial problems, a fatal accident claim could help you get back on your feet. For example, you could claim if you relied on the deceased’s income. Similarly, you could claim back expenses linked to their death such as funeral costs.

To discuss your options with a friendly advisor from our team, please call.

Starting The Oil Rig Accident Claims Process

Please call 0800 6524 881 to discuss how we could help you begin an oil rig accident compensation claim. We are more than happy to provide free legal advice once we’ve conducted a no-obligation initial consultation.

If there’s a fair chance that you should be paid compensation, one of our personal injury solicitors might take your claim on. If they do, you will not be asked to pay legal fees upfront as your claim will be handled on a No Win No Fee basis.

We can also provide advice on oil rig accident claims via our live chat service so please feel free to use it.