Oil Rig Injury Claims Glasgow
Oil and gas is one of the most dangerous industries in the world. High profile accidents involving helicopter crashes, oil rig collapses, fires and explosions have highlighted the extreme risk that oil and gas workers are exposed to. The industry’s safety practices have come under an enormous amount of scrutiny, and a raft of safety regulations have been introduced over time as a result. Unfortunately, oil rig injuries still occur.
Oil rig workers are of course vulnerable to the accidents that could occur in any workplace such as slips, trips and falls on unsafe flooring or injuries from manual handling. However, there are a whole host of severe industry specific injuries that oil and gas workers are at particular risk from.
Our compensation calculator can give you an idea of the compensation that is commonly awarded for specific injuries.
Oil Rig Slips, Trips and Falls
The North Sea makes for an extremely challenging workplace. Oil rig workers face high winds, freezing temperatures, snow and driving rain. These difficult working conditions can make routine tasks very dangerous for employees.
For instance, the weather can make the walkways, stairs and platforms extremely slippery and can lead to falls. In the most tragic cases, a fall from a height can result in debilitating head injuries, paralysis or even death. High winds can also damage the oil rig and even result in oil workers being blown off the platform and into the sea. Structural damage to the rig can put the safety of all on board at grave risk.
Oil Rig Extraction Injuries
When oil and gas are extracted from the seabed, there can be a huge amount of pressure released. If something goes wrong with the process or the equipment, there can be fires or even explosions. In the past, such tragic accidents have resulted in deaths, severe burns, amputations and disfigurements.
The extraction of oil requires highly specialised equipment and knowledge. When such dangerous work is being carried out, there is a very high duty of care expected from employers. Oil rig staff must be provided with the proper safety equipment to carry out their role. Employers must also ensure that their workers have been adequately trained to perform the tasks asked of them.
If employers fail in this duty, and their employees suffer an injury as a result, then the law holds them accountable by granting workers the right to pursue personal injury compensation. If this has happened to you, speak to our personal injury solicitors today to make a no win, no fee* compensation claim.
Offshore Helicopter Injuries
The location of oil rigs makes it necessary for oil workers to be transported on and offshore by helicopter. The past 30 years have seen a series of tragic high profile helicopter incidents that have underlined the many dangers faced by the workers of this industry. Many fatalities have occurred as a result of North Sea helicopter accidents.
The high winds, snow, rain and low temperatures make for particularly treacherous flying conditions. Weather conditions can change suddenly, and the high gales can make landing difficult or even impossible.
Where injuries or fatalities are caused by helicopter incidents that could have been avoided, such as because of a manufacturing fault or insufficient training of aircraft crew, then those who have suffered loss as a result may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Hazardous Chemical Exposure on Oil Rigs
The demands of the industry also bring oil workers into contact with dangerous substances and chemicals that onshore workers would not be exposed to. While the industry’s safety record has greatly improved over time, accidents and oversights can happen, and a worker can be seriously injured through no fault of their own. If an employee was not provided with the safety equipment, such as face masks and eye goggles, necessary to protect them, then their employer may be liable for the injury.
Heavy Machinery Injuries
The extraction of oil and gas from the seabed requires highly sophisticated and powerful machinery. This machinery is subject to regular safety checks and mechanical upkeep to make sure that it is in good working order. If anything goes wrong with the mechanisms, the consequences can be extremely serious, or even fatal, for the people working with it. For this reason, oil and gas employers must ensure that all machinery is safe to use.
How Do I Make a Claim for an Oil Rig Accident?
It is clear that the circumstances and sector specific demands of the oil and gas industry create an especially dangerous working environment for offshore workers. Serious oil rig accidents such as fires and explosions can be life changing and in severe cases, may affect the ability to work and socialise as normal. The law recognises this, making it possible for you to make a claim (within three years of the accident occurring) for all loss you suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence, including your loss of earnings and the psychological damage suffered.
If you were involved in an oil rig accident that wasn’t your fault, then get in touch with our expert team as soon as possible to find out if you can make a claim.
Contact Our Glasgow Based Personal Injury Solicitors
Our specialist no win, no fee* personal injury team will talk you through the options available to you and will work tirelessly to help you set the compensation you deserve. Call us on 01418 465 957. You can also make an online enquiry by completing our claim form.