We are dedicated to helping those who have been injured or affected by a catastrophic injury. You may contact us 24/7 at (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation or to schedule an appointment with us.
Oil rig explosions are among the most dangerous types of accidents for oil and gas employees and other maritime workers. Oil platforms are at high risk for explosions and fires — all it takes is a small spark that can cause widespread damage or even sink an entire operation. In such cases, an oil rig explosion attorney can help the victim and their families deal with the massive losses caused by the incident.
An oil rig explosion can lead to life-changing and sometimes fatal injuries for employees. Tragically, explosions can result from simple mistakes or equipment failures, and can often result in widespread damage to the environment. If you or a loved one were injured in an oil rig explosion, the attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek can help. Contact us at 832-690-7000 for a free consultation on your legal rights.
As you can imagine, oil rig explosion injuries can be highly severe and catastrophic. They can involve a number of different maritime injury scenarios, including:
Many oil rig injuries can lead to paralysis, a loss of motor functioning, and other permanent conditions. Legal compensation may be needed to help the victim handle mounting medical bills and long-term care costs. Also, wrongful death issues can arise in cases when a worker has lost their life due to an oil rig explosion.
Besides physical injuries, oil rig explosions can dramatically impact the environment and economy in the surrounding areas. Explosions often involve oil spills and leaks as well, which can destroy marine life and other factors. Fishers and other local workers may lose the ability to bring in income, and legal action may be needed for them as well.
While no amount of money can fully restore a victim to where they were before, a damages award can help them obtain a better quality of life after an accident.
At Pierce Skrabanek, a qualified oil rig explosion attorney can help obtain compensation for:
Contact us at 832-690-7000 for a free consultation to determine what types of compensation you may be entitled to in connection with an oil rig explosion.
On April 20, 2010, the semi-submersible oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded, causing one of the most catastrophic oil spills in history. The rig was owned by Transocean, a large offshore drilling contractor and leased by British Petroleum, the oil and gas giant otherwise known as “BP.” The Deepwater Horizon rig was one of the largest deepwater drilling rigs ever built, measuring 396 feet long and 256 feet wide. It burned for 36 hours until a final explosion sank it.
Of the 126 crew members on board at the time, 11 died, and many more were injured. After the explosion, the oil rig spilled 60,000 barrels of crude oil a day into the Gulf of Mexico, creating an environmental and economic disaster of epic proportions.
BP has been responsible for many of the most significant environmental disasters of the last decade:
BP’s actions have not only affected those injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion, but they have also impacted the businesses of fishers, shrimpers, and oystermen along the gulf coast. Additionally, many businesses along the coast were left in financial ruin from the lost business due to the BP oil spill.
BP is not the only bad actor in the oil and gas industry. One day after BP agreed to pay a record $4.5 billion criminal fine for its role in Deepwater Horizon, another rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, demonstrating that safety continues to be a serious concern with offshore drilling. On November 16, 2012, a Black Elk Energy rig exploded, causing the deaths of two workers and injuring many more. The rig is located approximately 36 miles south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana.
As the competition to drill for oil continues, there are mounting concerns regarding the safety of workers on oil rigs. The U.S. government recently reported that between 2001 and 2010, there were 69 documented offshore deaths, 1,349 injuries, and 858 fires and explosions on rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reports that in 2018 alone, there were:
Explosions can be a risk and danger in various types of accidents, especially fires and gas release incidents.
The lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek have previously handled personal injury cases against BP and other oil and gas giants. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to help oil rig injury victims recover and move on toward a better life.
We provide free case evaluations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless we win. Our consistent results have led to our induction into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and we have been nominated as Rising Stars by Texas Monthly. Get in touch with us at 832-690-7000 if you need help with a claim. Taking legal action is the first step toward getting your life back on track.
We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.
Summary: The Plaintiff was a Mississippi resident who suffered an injury while working in a Texas refinery. There was an explosion at the refinery and ultimately the injured worker had to have surgery to repair a broken arm and herniated disc in his low back. Paul took all the liability and damages depositions in the case. This included heads of safety, operations, and maintenance, as well as operators. Paul also argued a portion of the case at the Court of Appeals.
Summary: Served as lead counsel in an oil platform pressure release case. Plaintiff suffered a fractured heel as a result of being blown off of a tank when an operator inadvertently released pressure from a subsea valve. Plaintiff obtained a total settlement in excess of $2 million within a week of trial. Defendants in the case more than doubled their highest previous settlement offer in the days leading up to trial.
