Offshore accidents most often involve: chartering of a yacht, small boat, or submarine by an offshore drilling rig with a crew who are mostly employees of the operator. This article will provide fundamental information on offshore accidents and how you can best go about finding an attorney in your area to represent you in court.
What is an offshore accident case?
Offshore accident cases are typically personal injury or wrongful death claims that arise from an injury or death that occurred on a vessel or platform located in waters beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any one nation. These cases can be very complex, involving multiple parties and often involving maritime law.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an offshore accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of these cases. The attorneys at Lusk, Drasites & Tolisano have significant experience handling offshore accident cases and can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Offshore accidents in the United States
Offshore accidents in the United States happen more often than people might think. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were nearly 200 workplace fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry in 2017. While that accounted for just a small fraction of all workplace fatalities that year, it’s still a significant number.
There are a variety of different types of offshore accidents that can occur. They range from injuries sustained while working on an offshore rig to accidents that happen while traveling to and from offshore facilities. Common causes of offshore accidents include:
- Explosions
- Fires
- Collapses
- Equipment failures
- Human error
If you or someone you love has been injured in an offshore accident, you may be wondering what your legal rights are. The first step is to contact an experienced offshore accident attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your options.
How do I file a claim?
If you have been injured while working on an offshore rig, platform, or vessel, you may be wondering how to file a claim. The first step is to determine whether you have a valid case. An experienced offshore accident attorney can help you with this.
There are four elements that must be present for an offshore accident case to be successful:
Duty
The first element is that the defendant (the company or individual you are suing) owed you a duty of care. This means that they were obligated to take reasonable steps to keep you safe from harm.
Breach
The defendant’s violation of this duty of care constitutes the second element. This means that they did not take reasonable steps to keep you safe, and as a result, you were injured.
Causation
The third element is causation. This means that the defendant’s breach of duty was the cause of your injuries. In other words, if you would not have been injured but for the defendant’s negligence, then causation is present.
Damages
The fourth and final element is damage. This means that you must have suffered some type of loss as a result of your injuries. This could be medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other types of losses. If you cannot prove all four of these elements, then your case will likely not succeed.
What damages can be awarded to those affected by an offshore accident?
There are many different types of damages that can be awarded to those affected by an offshore accident. These include:
1. Economic damages – These are damages that cover the financial losses suffered as a result of the accident. This might involve financial losses, medical costs, and physical harm to property.
2. Non-economic damages – These are damages that cover the non-financial losses suffered as a result of the accident. This can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
3. Punitive damages – These are damages that are designed to punish the person or company responsible for the accident. This is usually only awarded in cases where there was gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
4.Wrongful death damages – These are damages that may be awarded to the family of a victim who died as a result of the accident. This can include funeral expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Conclusion
Offshore accident cases are unique and complex. If you or a loved one has been injured in an offshore accident, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Lorenzana Law Firm have extensive experience handling offshore accident cases and are ready to help you every step of the way.
