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What Are My Rights If I Was Injured While Working Offshore?

Offshore work is among the most hazardous job environments. The maritime industry, essential to global trade, presents unique risks—from volatile seas and harsh weather to heavy machinery and physical strain. Despite safety protocols, accidents still happen, often with serious consequences.

If you’re injured offshore, knowing your rights and the proper steps to take is critical.

Having a reputable Houston maritime lawyer by your side like those at Abraham Watkins can make a significant difference in navigating the complexities of maritime law, ensuring justice, and securing rightful compensation.

Call us at 713-222-7211.

Common Injuries For Offshore Workers

At Abraham Watkins, we’ve seen firsthand the physical and emotional toll offshore accidents can take. Some of the most frequent injuries offshore workers suffer include:

  • Slips and falls due to wet or unstable surfaces

  • Burns from hot surfaces, chemicals, or fires

  • Crush injuries caused by being pinned by machinery or equipment

  • Drowning, one of the most severe and tragic outcomes

  • Chemical exposure, which can lead to long-term illness

  • Repetitive stress injuries affecting the back, joints, or nerves

These injuries can result in temporary disability—or permanent life changes. Our firm has decades of experience representing workers in these situations and fighting for their rights under maritime law.

What to Do After an Offshore Injury

If you’ve been injured offshore, what you do in the minutes, hours, and days after the accident can greatly affect your case. Here’s what we recommend:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention. Your health comes first. Prompt medical treatment also creates a crucial record of your injuries.

  2. Report the accident. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible and make sure a formal report is filed.

  3. Document the scene. Take photos of your injuries and the accident site. Collect witness information if possible.

  4. Track your medical care. Keep detailed notes and records of every doctor’s visit, treatment, and related expense.

  5. Don’t sign anything. Insurers may pressure you into accepting a low settlement. Talk to a lawyer first.

  6. Contact an experienced maritime attorney. Only a qualified lawyer can fully protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

Your Rights Under Maritime Law

Maritime law—also called admiralty law—provides specific protections for offshore workers. Key laws include:

  • The Jones Act: Lets seamen sue their employer for negligence or an unseaworthy vessel.

  • Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA): Extends protections to workers on offshore platforms.

  • Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Covers maritime workers not classified as seamen.

  • Maintenance and Cure: Requires employers to pay for medical care and basic living expenses after an injury—regardless of fault.

Understanding which law applies to your case is critical. That’s where a knowledgeable maritime attorney comes in.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you’ve been injured offshore, you may be eligible to recover:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)

  • Lost wages

  • Pain and suffering

  • Loss of future earning capacity

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship

These damages reflect the real-life consequences of serious injuries. Let us help you fight for every dollar you deserve.

Contact Abraham Watkins Immediately if You Have Been Injured While Working Offshore

Every offshore injury case is different. A knowledgeable maritime lawyer can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

At Abraham Watkins, our attorneys have decades of experience helping injured offshore workers. We offer free consultations and charge no fee unless we win. Whether you work on a rig, ship, or platform, we’re ready to help.

Call us at 713-222-7211.

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