Drilling Rig Accidents
Drilling Rig Accident Lawyers
Work in the oil patch poses numerous hazards to workers, such as blowouts, high-pressure fracking pipe failures, electrocution, fall hazards, and working with and around heavy machinery. At Mithoff Law, we leverage our decades of experience handling complex oilfield injury cases to help our clients designate who or what caused their injury and represent their best interests during the legal process. From cases involving everything from negligence claims to product liability to wrongful death, our nationally renowned team has built a track record of success and integrity.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drilling rig accident, contact the proven team at Mithoff Law today by calling 713-654-1122 to set up a free consultation.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– David Barron, Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
Mithoff Law has won cases involving injuries in the oil patch over several decades for individuals, families, and companies. Some of our work in this area includes:
Fracking Pipe Failure
Mithoff Law represented the surviving family members of a worker who was killed when a high-pressure fracking pipe failed and fractured during fracking operations, ejecting shrapnel that resulted in his death. The plaintiffs alleged that the pipe in question had been eroded through prior use, and had not been properly removed from service. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Oilfield Service Truck Accident
Mithoff Law represented the surviving family members of a driver who was killed when struck head-on by an oilfield services truck on a public roadway near an operating site. Plaintiffs alleged that the driver of the oilfield services truck was negligent and inattentive, and caused the collision. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Offshore Helicopter Crash
Mithoff Law represented surviving family members of offshore rig personnel who died when the helicopter transferring them from a base on land to an offshore rig crashed. The plaintiffs alleged that there were design defects in the helicopter’s control systems. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Mr. Mithoff was also lead counsel for five of the 15 families suffering the loss of a loved one in the Texas City refinery fire and explosion.
Does the Jones Act apply to drilling rig accidents?
The Jones Act enables seamen who’ve been injured offshore during their employment to bring a personal injury action against their employers under certain circumstances. Generally, for a seaman to be covered under the Jones Act, they must work on “a vessel in navigation,” which typically refers to a vessel that was in motion or capable of motion and operating in navigable waters at the time of the incident.
The Jones Act may provide remedies to injured seamen beyond the scope of typical workers’ compensation. Whether the Jones Act or other laws (such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act) may apply to an offshore drilling rig injury often turns on the particular facts of each case. The type of work you performed, the type of vessel or platform you worked on (drill ships, spar platforms, jackup rigs, etc.), and where the injury occurred could all affect the type of claims that can be brought.
Our team of drilling rig accident lawyers can help to analyze the particular facts of your claim, to assist in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Get the right help, right now with Mithoff Law
Drilling rig accident lawyers know rig hands work long hours in dangerous conditions are one wrong move or negligent act away from a catastrophic injury or death.
When employers cut corners or otherwise neglect their duties to their employees, you have the right to fight back for the care and compensation you deserve.
The team at Mithoff Law has won major cases for injured persons and families by utilizing a network of expert witnesses to thoroughly investigate the situation at hand. We collect the smallest details to paint a clear picture of why the injury happened and which parties are responsible.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a drilling rig accident, call our case-winning drilling rig accident lawyers today at 713-654-1122.
