While working in the maritime industry can be a rewarding experience, it’s not without risks. Offshore accidents can happen at any time, and there are many different types of offshore accidents that can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. While some of these accidents are the result of natural forces (wind, rain, waves) most are due to human error, poor safety protocols or equipment malfunctions.
Causes of Offshore Accidents
The Houston offshore accident attorneys at Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates have been representing accident victims for over 25 years. Offshore accidents have many causes, including:
- Improperly maintained equipment
- Bad weather
- Not following standard operating procedures
- Lack of communication
- Equipment not secured properly
- Failure to maintain a safe work environment
- Defective products or equipment
- Outdated or aging equipment
- Missing warning signs
- Operator error
- Carelessness
- Distractions
- Lack of appropriate safety gear
- Inadequate training
- Poor supervision
- Lack of training
- Substance abuse
- OSHA and other safety violations
- Worker fatigue
- Understaffed shifts
Common Types of Offshore Vessel Accidents
Bad weather and human error onboard a crew boat, fishing boat, freighter, container vessel, barge, tugboats, dredge, fishing vessel, tow boat, ferry, oil tanker, supply ship or diving support vessels can result in:
- Transfer accidents
- Slip, trips and falls
- Falling overboard
- Collisions between vessels
- Groundings
- Capsizing
- Mooring accidents
- Deck tool and machinery accidents
- Crush accidents
- Sinking or taking on water
- Electrical accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Accidents while working in enclosed spaces
Common Offshore Oil Rig Accidents
Oil and gas production fuels America’s economy. But getting that oil and gas out of the ground isn’t easy work, especially when the “ground” lies below several thousand feet of sea water. While the pay is good, working offshore in the oil and gas industry often means working under hazardous conditions. Bad weather, mechanical breakdowns, unseaworthy vessels and human error can cause:
Transportation accidents
- Helicopter and boat collisions
- Crush accidents
- Blowouts
- Rigging accidents
- Cathead and spinning chain mishaps
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Falling tools and objects
- Falling overboard
- Slips, trips and falls
Port Accidents
On shore, there are many thousands of people working in support of the maritime industry. Facilities like the Port of Houston are busy 24 hours a day. Port workers, dock workers, terminal workers, forklift operators, crane operators, longshoremen and stevedores toil around the clock loading and unloading vessels to meet tight shipping schedules. Under these hectic conditions, it’s easy to make a mistake that can result in:
- Crane and winch accidents
- Collisions between vessels and piers
- Line snapback accidents
- Container accidents
- Falling overboard
- Electrocutions
- Gangway accidents
- Being struck by falling and swinging objects
- Forklift accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Mooring line accidents
Injuries Resulting From Offshore Accidents
These maritime accidents can result in serious injuries that include:
- Bone fractures
- Head and neck injuries
- Respiratory problems
- Brain trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Adverse reaction to chemical exposure
- Damage to internal organs
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Hypothermia
- Hyperthermia
- Drowning
- Death
Contact an Houston Offshore Accident Attorney to Get Help Today
If you or a loved one is a maritime worker who has been injured in an on-the-job accident, please contact Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured maritime workers. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to obtain compensation for maintenance (living expenses), cure (medical expenses) and economic losses (lost wages, job loss).
Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates wants to help you obtain the compensation you deserve under the law. Call or contact us online to schedule a meeting for a free review of your case.
