Working offshore is demanding, dangerous, and essential to Louisiana’s economy. But when something goes wrong, whether it’s an explosion, vessel accident, or machinery failure, the path forward isn’t always straightforward. Understanding your rights and next steps can make all the difference in protecting your health, livelihood, and future.

If you’ve been hurt while working offshore, the offshore injury lawyers at Saunders & Chabert can help you take action and pursue any and all benefits and compensation available under the law.

Understanding Offshore Accidents and Maritime Law

Offshore accidents are not handled like typical workplace injuries. Unlike land-based workers, offshore and oil-rig employees are protected under Maritime Law, a separate set of rules governing seamen and offshore workers operating in U.S. waters.

More specifically, the Jones Act protects workers who are primarily assigned to work aboard vessels in navigation. The Jones Act allows injured seamen to recover wage and medical benefits, as well as damages if their employer’s negligence or an unsafe vessel caused their injury. This law covers crew members on certain drilling rigs, vessels, tugboats, supply boats, and barges; anyone who spends a significant portion (over 30%) of their work time on vessels in navigable waters (rivers, oceans, etc.).

An experienced maritime lawyer in South Louisiana can guide you through these complex laws, ensuring that your claim is handled properly and your rights are preserved from day one.

→ For a deeper look into your rights under the Jones Act and how it protects injured seamen, read our past blog.

Why Offshore Accidents Spike: Human, Economic, and Environmental Factors

Offshore and oil-rig accidents don’t follow a seasonal pattern; they spike when human, operational, and environmental factors collide. For maritime workers protected under the Jones Act, these incidents often stem from preventable causes such as fatigue, mechanical failures, or lapses in supervision, rather than unpredictable weather or the time of year.

Below are three major categories of contributing factors that continue to influence offshore injury trends across the maritime industry.

1. Human Factors

Human error remains the leading cause of maritime and offshore accidents, accounting for 70–85% of marine casualties worldwide.

Common human-related causes include:

• Fatigue and isolation: Long shifts, demanding schedules, and remote working conditions reduce alertness and slow reaction times. Crew fatigue has repeatedly been cited as a primary cause in accident analyses.
• Insufficient training: When companies expand or bring in new hires without comprehensive instruction, inexperience can lead to errors in navigation, maintenance, or emergency response.
• Reduced oversight and safety culture: Organizational weaknesses, including poor communication and inadequate supervision, have been tied directly to higher accident rates.

Together, these human factors reveal that most offshore injuries are not isolated events; they’re the result of systemic pressures that erode awareness and safety performance over time.

2. Economic and Operational Pressures

Industry cycles also shape offshore safety.

• During production booms, tight deadlines and heavy workloads can lead to skipped maintenance or fatigued crews.
• In downturns, smaller crews and aging equipment heighten risk as fewer skilled workers handle more tasks.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) reports that lifting accidents on offshore platforms have nearly tripled since 2018, reflecting how economic strain and staffing limits can directly impact safety. Economic and operational pressures don’t just influence productivity; they shape the safety culture aboard every vessel and rig.

3. Environmental and Mechanical Factors

Even in calm seas, mechanical and environmental risks remain constant. Rough weather, high winds, and equipment strain all contribute to offshore injuries. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Casualty Reports, machinery and equipment failures continue to cause many maritime accidents, often tied to deferred maintenance or aging parts.

Both the National Academies of Sciences and Allianz Commercial report similar findings: wear-and-tear, shortened maintenance intervals, and human oversight remain key contributors, with machinery failure responsible for over half of global shipping incidents. 

In short, offshore accident spikes happen less because of where or when crews work, and more because of how operations are managed, maintained, and supervised. When fatigue, economic pressure, and equipment stress intersect, risk rises, and accountability matters.

What to Do After an Offshore Accident

In the aftermath of an offshore vessel or rig accident, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. Your health, your livelihood, and your legal rights all depend on the steps you take in the hours and days that follow.

Below are five critical actions every injured offshore worker should take to protect themselves and their future.

Step 1 — Get Immediate Medical Help and Report the Incident

The first and most important thing you can do is seek medical help immediately. Offshore injuries can worsen quickly, and early documentation of your condition will strengthen your claim later on. Whether you’ve suffered burns, fractures, a head injury, or a fall on deck, report it right away and insist on proper medical evaluation, even if the injury feels minor.

After receiving care, make sure to notify your supervisor. An official incident report should be completed detailing when, where, and how the accident occurred. Be clear, factual, and thorough. That report will become one of the most important records in your case.

Step 2 — Document Everything

Once you’re safe and stabilized, start collecting evidence. Offshore employers often control much of the narrative after an incident, so your own documentation can make or break your claim.

Take photos of the accident scene, the equipment involved, and your injuries. Record names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the event. Keep a personal journal noting your pain, medical visits, and communication with your employer. Every detail matters, and it’s much easier to collect soon after the occurrence of an accident.

It is also important to promptly seek legal advice. After an injury, the culpable offshore company often views the injured offshore worker as a financial liability, leading to actions that are not beneficial to the worker. You need someone on your team looking out for your best interests. If you’ve been hurt offshore, Saunders & Chabert’s maritime attorneys can evaluate your case, no fee unless we win.

Step 3 — Know Your Legal Rights Under the Jones Act

Offshore workers assigned to vessels are covered by a different set of rights than land-based employees, and those rights are often stronger. The Jones Act and related maritime laws provide protections that go far beyond traditional workers’ compensation.

Under these laws, you may be entitled to:

• Maintenance & Cure: Daily living expenses and medical care while you recover.
• Unseaworthiness Claims: Compensation if your vessel was unsafe or poorly maintained.
• Jones Act Negligence Claims: Full recovery for lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical costs if employer negligence played a role.

If you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, your employer is legally obligated to provide a safe working environment. To learn more about how these protections apply, visit our Maritime Law Practice Area.

Step 4 — Avoid Company Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice

It’s common for company or insurance representatives to reach out soon after an offshore injury, sometimes even before you’ve left the hospital. They may seem helpful, but their job is to minimize payouts and limit the company’s liability.

Never sign a release, accept a settlement, or make a recorded statement without first speaking to a qualified maritime injury lawyer. Once you accept payment or sign certain documents, you may lose the right to pursue the full compensation you’re owed.

Why You Need a Maritime Lawyer Early:

A maritime lawyer can quickly secure key evidence (like maintenance logs, inspection reports, and onboard data) before it disappears. They can also handle communications with insurers and prevent tactics that pressure you into early settlements or returning to work prematurely.

Step 5 — Contact an Experienced Louisiana Maritime Lawyer

After seeking the appropriate initial medical care, it’s time to choose the right representation. Offshore and maritime injury claims are complex, and success often depends on having a team that understands both federal maritime law and Louisiana’s Gulf Coast industries.

At Saunders & Chabert, our attorneys have decades of experience representing offshore workers, oil rig employees, and seamen across the Gulf Coast area. We know the challenges you face, and how to fight back when powerful corporations try to limit your recovery.

*FAQs About Offshore and Rig Accidents*

Q: How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?
A: Generally, you have three years under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law, but acting sooner is always best for preserving evidence and witness testimony.

Q: Does the Jones Act cover offshore oil rig workers?
A: It depends. Many drilling rig, vessel, and tugboat workers qualify if they spend over 30% of their time assigned to a vessel at sea. For example, if you are assigned to a jack-up drilling rig, which is a vessel that moves from location to location, you would be considered a seaman protected by the Jones Act.

Q: What if my company is based in another state?
A: You can very likely still file a lawsuit in Louisiana if your accident occurred here or if your employer operates in the Gulf waters off the coast of Louisiana.

Moving Forward After an Injury

Offshore work is vital, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your safety. If you or a loved one has been injured offshore, you have rights and options under maritime law. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

If you’ve been injured working offshore, contact Saunders & Chabert for a free consultation today. Protect your rights before the evidence disappears!