The United States produces about 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. Since there are approximately 1,800 oil rigs in America, the U.S. is one of the largest oil producing nations in the world. Yet while offshore drilling is necessary, it is also dangerous, and there is simply no getting around that.
According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal of the Minerals Management Service:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2008, fires and explosions caused 18 deaths in the oil and gas industry. While being an offshore worker comes with acceptance of risk, it is not acceptable when a company's negligence results in the loss of life. Between 2001 and 2007 almost 24 percent of oil rig accidents that happened were the result of human error. When managers and workers fail to communicate, when written procedures go missing or when procedures that exist aren't enforced, tragedy can strike.
In the words of Attorney Kurt Arnold:
"Oil rig workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the world. That's why companies like Transocean and BP have rules they must follow to protect every worker. When companies break the rules…families like his [the deceased] suffer the consequences."
Oil field companies have a duty of care and must take reasonable steps to protect their workers. It is not enough to have safety policies in place; these policies must be consistently implemented. If you lost a loved one as a result of an oil company's carelessness, you should fight for the compensation your family deserves.
When it comes to offshore drilling accidents, the Gulf of Mexico has had its share.
In 1964, the C.P. Baker Barge suffered from an explosion followed by a fire that was said to have encompassed the whole vessel and an area up to 100 feet around the vessel. 22 workers died as a result.
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, situated about 50 miles southwest of the Louisiana coast, exploded, resulting in the deaths of 11 workers. No bodies were recovered. The Huffington Post recently published a list of the names of the deceased workers along with short biographies. BP, the company that owned Deepwater Horizon, was held criminally responsible for not following government regulations.
In 2012, an explosion aboard an oil rig off of Louisiana resulted in one death, multiple injuries, and one missing.
If your loved one was killed on a rig which could be towed and was not affixed to the ocean floor permanently, you can sue for damages under the Jones Act. This can be a family's best option for receiving rightful compensation. The Death on the High Seas Act of 1920 provides compensation if a death occurred beyond three nautical miles off of the U.S. coastline. This compensation would cover the loss of a deceased individual's benefits and services.
When your loved one passes away, filing a wrongful death lawsuit allows you to fight for:
If you believe your loved one died because of a big business' negligence, let Arnold & Itkin investigate your case. Going up against a large company can be intimidating, but with our skill and experience we will not cower into a corner. It is not advisable to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on your own. Proving that negligence was involved is not enough to win a wrongful death suit. You must show that the negligence was the actual cause of the death. You must also show that the victim's death caused monetary damages.
In the wake of a tragedy that claimed your loved one's life, you deserve an aggressive advocate on your side that can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve as well as hold the guilty party responsible. When you are grieving, navigating a wrongful death lawsuit can be difficult, which is why Arnold & Itkin is here to help. Focus on grieving and adjusting and let us assist you with pursuing justice and financial restitution!
Arnold & Itkin helped 1/5th of the crew of the Deepwater Horizon and earned high praise for its role in representing these workers and helping them receive the damages they deserved. Click here to watch the testimonials of these past clients. Simply put, we have helped families recover from maritime tragedies in the past, and we are prepared to help you get through the hardship you and your family are currently undergoing. Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation and if you like, to secure our hard-hitting legal services!
Arnold & Itkin represented nearly a third of the crewmembers injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Because maritime law is so complex and so complicated, it is crucial that you work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of how it works and who has proven themselves in similar cases before.
