Offshore Injury Lawyers in Texas

Types of Offshore Injuries

The injuries sustained by offshore workers are often catastrophic, changing the very lives of the workers and affecting their ability to provide for their families or to return to the same line of work. It is in these situations that an offshore worker will be best served by consulting an attorney who can offer applicable guidance and insight.

No matter the type of offshore injury you or someone you love may have experienced, you may be entitled to compensation. A Texas offshore injury attorney at our firm can advise you of your rights.

Following are some of the most common injuries that affect offshore workers in Texas and throughout the U.S.:

Back Injuries – An offshore worker may suffer from back injuries caused by continual manual labor, such as heavy lifting. This can lead to pain, limited motion and weakness as well as herniated discs or other serious problems. A worker may also experience a back injury as the result of an accident, such as a fall from a height or from being struck by a falling object. Depending on their severity, back injuries may affect virtually every aspect of a maritime worker's daily life.
Brain Injuries– A traumatic brain injury can be caused by an external force to the the head and will vary in severity depending on the type of accident. Defective machinery or employer negligence may be responsible for accidents that result in an offshore worker suffering brain damage.
Burns – The heavy equipment used on offshore rigs and vessels requires fuel to operate, and this places workers at risk of sustaining severe burn injuries in fires or explosions caused by improper maintenance or operation of this equipment. Electrical wiring and equipment that runs on electricity may also place workers at risk of burns if this equipment malfunctions in any way.
Electrocution – The various electrical systems and fixtures on oil rigs and aboard various types of vessels may place maritime workers at risk of electrocution, electrical shock or serious burns. When the electrical current is strong enough, it can actually stop a person's heart.
Fatalities – Certain injuries are so serious that an offshore worker has no hope of survival. Workers may lose their lives at the scene of the incident or may succumb to their injuries later on, in spite of the best efforts of medical personnel. In these cases, the surviving family members may be able to seek compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act or other relevant maritime law.
Head Injuries – Head trauma may be caused by a falling object, a swinging object or by a fall. The sudden force of impact, whether or not it penetrates the skull, can cause serious injury to the brain and may lead to a concussion, coma or loss of life. The immediate and lasting consequences of a head injury may include headache, dizziness, memory loss and loss of cognitive skills.
Loss of Limb – A Texas offshore worker may be at risk of losing a hand, foot, finger or other body part as the result of various types of accidents. The body part may get caught in machinery or rigging, may be crushed by unsecured cargo or may be severed completely at the scene by faulty wiring. Severe burns can also lead to the need for surgical amputation.
Spine Injury – One of the most serious injuries that a seaman, harbor worker or longshoreman may sustain is a spinal cord injury. If the spine is seriously injured, this may result in partial or total paralysis of a portion of the body, usually downward from the point of injury on the spine. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are conditions that may leave a worker requiring medical care and assistance for the rest of his or her life.

Free Consultation: Texas Maritime Attorney

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we have represented countless maritime workers in serious injury claims. We have also assisted many families who have lost loved ones to offshore accidents in Texas and across the Gulf Coast. If you or a family member has experienced any type of offshore injury, do not hesitate to call our offices for a confidential, free consultation. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the injured and stand ready to see how we can help you recover the money you need.

Contact a Texas offshore injury lawyer today to learn more about the types of injuries that affect maritime workers and what rights you have in these matters.