Alexander Dwyer – Page 18 – Offshore Injury Lawyer – Maritime Attorneys – Houston Maritime LawyersOffshore Injury Attorneys

Dec 16, 2013

Offshore Firms Have Gaping Holes in Safety Measures

An incident earlier this year indicates that offshore drilling companies need to make many adjustments to their current policies in terms of safety, or at least one of them does. An offshore worker preparing a well to be abandoned was killed in a tragic accident. What makes the incident all the more tragic is that investigation shows it could easily have been prevented with the proper safety measures.

The rig had much of its equipment in positions that forced workers to stand in more dangerous positions and generally closer to the machinery, with higher risk of getting caught, as the deceased worker did. This equipment violated regulations. Training meetings did not properly address these dangers or other dangers as they were required to.

The shift supervisor also bears some responsibility for how the tragedy turned out. If help had arrived sooner, it is possible that the young worker could have been saved, but the supervisor was not properly prepared for such an incident and took too long to initiate emergency procedures. This was a definite contributing factor to the worker’s wounds being fatal.

It is apparent that even though improvements have been made over the last few years, many drilling platforms are still not made as safe as they can be. While there is risk in any offshore work, it should be reduced as much as possible.

A Jones Act attorney in Houston can help you if you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an offshore work accident. The Jones Act protects offshore workers against unsafe conditions and promises compensation if such an event does occur. Kirkendall Dwyer LLP is standing by to take your case and get you the recognition and recompense you deserve for your company’s carelessness.

Dec 15, 2013

Search Suspended for Missing Oilfield Worker

The United States Coast Guard has suspended its search for a worker missing from an offshore oilfield supply boat. The USCG has been searching for the man for 3 days in an area covering 2,734 square nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. During the 3-day search there were 12 separate search missions. They deployed many helicopters, cutters, and aircraft to aid in the search efforts, but they turned up empty.

The missing man, whose name has not been released, reportedly fell overboard off the Dustin Danos, a ship operated by Gulf Offshore Logistics. The man was reported overboard on Saturday, November 9, about 60 miles southwest of Port Fourchon. The company has not responded to requests for comments on the incident.

In a separate incident just two weeks ago, another oilfield worker was lost in the water. The man worked for Offshore Specialty Fabricators and fell from a platform about 75 miles southeast of Lake Charles. The man’s body was recovered the next day by divers. The man was part of a company that was contracted to dismantle that particular platform because it was no longer in use.

According to reports, the man in that accident was knocked off the platform by an empty storage tank that also fell into the water. The man’s body was found pinned under the tank, about 100 feet under the water. The USCG reported that there was no oil spill due to the accident because the tank was no longer in use and was plugged.

Accidents such as these require consultation with an experienced Houston maritime lawyer. The attorney will review the details of the accident and work with the family to take appropriate legal action. A Houston maritime lawyer will explain the Jones Act and review the maritime laws that apply in the situation. Contact a Houston maritime lawyer to determine your options.

Dec 10, 2013

Gulf Maritime Workers at Risk of Accidents

Doing offshore work in the Gulf of Mexico is a risky proposition. There are frequent accidents and dangerous incidents that could cause injury or even death to workers.

The fire that started on a gas well earlier this year is just one example of such an incident. Forty-four workers were forced to evacuate and a relief well had to be drilled in order to plug up the original to get it under control and prevent further incidents. The fire damaged the derrick and caused it to collapse.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is investigating the situation to find the cause of the incident, while also continuing to look into a fatal accident that occurred last year. Although natural gas well malfunctions are less of a risk to the environment than oil spills, they can still be an equal danger to the workers involved. Continuously pumping gas caused the original fire to burn for two days before the well became clogged with detritus and the fire’s fuel was cut off.

While it is not yet determined what the exact cause may be, it is certainly possible that it is either human error or equipment malfunction. Either could be due to improper procedures enforced by the company. If this is the case, the company will have to be held responsible for the danger that the workers involved suffered.

If you are in the Houston area and you or someone you know has suffered injury in similar incidents, you are entitled to compensation under the Jones act. The best way to get such compensation is to hire a Houston Jones Act lawyer. Kirkendall Dwyer LLP has many attorneys who are familiar with such cases and can easily help you or your loved one get appropriate recompense for your accident.

Dec 8, 2013

Oil Industry Should Replace Equipment, Expert Says

2013 marks the 25^th anniversary of the disastrous Piper Alpha incident, the explosion of a North Sea oil platform that caused the deaths of over 160 offshore workers. Investigations ultimately pinned the accident on human error, and various reforms were made throughout the oil industry to improve safety condition in that area.

However, the anniversary of the accident has sparked speculation about what other safety issues the industry needs to address in the current era. One expert suggests that the equipment on many North Sea oil platforms, and perhaps elsewhere, is in need of replacement before another serious incident occurs.

Much of the current oil platform technology is up to thirty or forty years old and has been in constant operation for that time. While it has all been maintained, there comes a point when things need to be replaced or simply should be switched out due to better technology.

Recent incidents, such as a crane accident on a North Sea platform earlier this year, have spurred speculation that while the last disaster was human error, the next catastrophe may end up being due to mechanical failure if steps are not taken. Oil companies are being urged to inspect their equipment thoroughly and not to cut corners on replacements in order to avoid a repeat of the high fatal accident twenty-five years ago.

Even when everything and everyone are working properly, offshore work is a dangerous profession. It is better to be prepared in case an accident does happen. Anyone involved in this type of work should have a maritime injury attorney selected and ready should the worst occur. If you are an offshore worker, especially if you’ve already suffered injury, don’t put off contacting Kirkendall Dwyer LLP to learn more about what you are entitled to.

Dec 6, 2013

Multiple Violations Issued for 2012 Offshore Oil Accident

A recent report has been issued placing blame for a November 2012 oil rig accident on the offshore oil company and contractors. The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement issued more than 40 violations to Black Elk Energy and some of its contractors. The violations squarely place blame for many safety issues that the company failed to comply with which may have contributed to the accident that killed 3 people.

The accident happened off the coast of Grand Isle. The report indicates that there was oil in the fuel tank when scheduled welding started. The welding caused oil to ignite, which began a series of events, launching two tanks into the air. One of the tanks fell into the Gulf of Mexico, which made an oil slick that spread to an area about a half mile wide and 200 yards long. The accident killed three of the welders and a few other workers were injured, suffering severe burn due to the explosion and fire.

In part, the violations indicate that the company failed to provide a safe work area, indicating that the oil tanks should have been cleaned before any welding was to take place. The company said the workers could have refused to work if they felt the conditions were not safe. However, the report states that the workers were afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation by their employer.

In all, 41 violations, called “incidents of noncompliance” were issued to a total of 4 contractors. The companies are given 2 months to appeal the violations, if they wish to do so. Now, the violations will be reviewed to determine any associated fines that will be assessed to the companies. In cases such as this one, the victims will need to speak to an attorney that specializes in oil rig accidents such as a League City oil rig injury attorney. A League City oil rig injury attorney knows the latest laws governing these types of accidents and will work to get compensation for your injuries. The League City oil rig injury attorney will review the accident and determine the best way to proceed.

Dec 4, 2013

New Offshore Opportunity–High Risks of Personal Injury

A Texas oil company is taking advantage of a new law allowing an exclusion zone of 500 meters around its ship when oil drilling is done. Drilling may begin as soon as this week. This law has many protesters in an uproar because of potential hazards including environmental risks. In the meantime, protestors are on their way to the site.

The new drilling expedition could mean problems should a major accident occur. For example, an accident the size of the one at Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, could spell disaster should it occur with the new law in place. Protestors and concerned citizens want to be sure that the proper regulations are in place to ensure that another disaster will be avoided in the future.

Some people feel that until the situation is fully resolved, drilling should not take place. However, it seems that the drilling is going to continue as scheduled, without the protestors close by. The decision to stop people from getting close to the site could be problematic because of possible injuries that could occur.

In the meantime, the company intends to drill as planned. Originally the company had agreed to discuss their plans, however, because of the pending protest, they withdrew the offer. Of course, many companies perform similar operations nearby. Offshore operations are often very dangerous. Anyone who has been the victim of an injury of any sort may want to talk to a Freeport oil rig injury attorney.

The most important concern, particularly for offshore workers, is the safety of the operation. If a worker is injured, they should speak to an experienced Freeport oil rig injury attorney as soon as possible. Offshore workers are at increased risk for injuries and this is especially true if the company does not take the necessary safety precautions. Workers who have suffered injuries must protect their rights by talking to a Freeport oil rig injury attorney