On August 26, three people suffered injuries from an offshore pipeline blaze near Marsh Island, Louisiana. The fire evidently started during routine work being done at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP’s Gulf South offshore natural gas pipeline. News coverage indicates that the fire was extinguished by that same evening and the incident is being investigated, with another vessel sent out to repair the pipeline rupture.
This particular pipe is owned by Gulf South Pipeline Co, and includes 7,400 miles of pipeline which gathers from basins between Texas and Alabama in order to deliver it to the North and Southeast.
Workplace Deaths on the Rise in the Oil Industry
Although workplace deaths have declined in Texas, that is not the case for oil and gas workers. According to a Houston Chronicle analysis of data put together by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), oil and gas field services and drilling workers are killed on the job in Texas more than those in any other profession, including agriculture, construction, and other major industries. Most of these deaths occur in remote rural areas and fail to receive publicity.
In fact, this has been such an issue that, in 2013, OSHA called for a “voluntary stand down” for all oil and gas employers in Texas and several other states—work stoppages to draw attention to the high level of risk these industries carry.
Offshore Oil Rig Litigation
In addition to fires, common injuries experienced on oil rigs include electrocution, slips and falls, drowning, crane accidents, and exposure to harmful chemicals and substances.
When workers are injured on oil rigs, depending upon the circumstances, they can bring suit and charge the company responsible with negligence, negligent misrepresentation, and/or gross negligence. Those injured can seek compensation for any physical injuries sustained and mental anguish.
Zehl & Associates
If you or a loved one was injured while working on a pier, dock, oil rig, vessel, terminal, platform or ship repair facility, it’s critical that you immediately take steps to protect your rights. It’s also important that you speak with an attorney who is experienced in this particular area, as sometimes, there are several companies involved, including the company who hired the worker.
In the past 5 years alone, our injury lawyers have recovered over $1 Billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of injured workers against the largest maritime companies in the country. If a loved one was killed while working on an oil rig, you have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their family members.
Contact the injury lawyers at Zehl & Associates today by calling 1-888-984-1252 or by filling out our contact form on this website. All consultations are free, and there’s no commitment involved.