Andrew Kirkendall – Page 2 – Offshore Injury Lawyer – Maritime Attorneys – Houston Maritime LawyersOffshore Injury Attorneys

Sep 24, 2013

Cause of Oil Rig Explosion Revealed

On November 16, 2012, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, killing three rig workers, leaving two missing, and critically injuring four. About 28 gallons of oil were spilled into the water. There were 28 workers on the oil rig at the time of the explosion. The explosion occurred on a rig 100 miles south of New Orleans.

The rig was owned and operated by a Houston company called Black Elk Energy. In August of 2013, a report was released finally pinpointing the cause of the explosion, which has been shown to be unsafe welding practices.

This incident shows the critical nature of each and every job aboard an oil rig. Given the sensitive nature of the rig, unsafely performing any task can result in serious consequences, even death.

Have you been injured in an oil rig explosion, or any other offshore accident? If so, the offshore injury attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can help. Whether you are a rig worker that has been injured, or you have lost a loved one to an explosion or other serious oil rig accident, our attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today.

Sep 20, 2013Sep 9, 2015

1,400 Tons of Molasses Spilled in Hawaiian Waters

On September 12, 2013, a pipeline in Honolulu, Hawaii leaked 233,000 gallons of molasses into the water. The massive spill has been a catastrophe to marine wildlife in the area. So far clean-up crews have recovered over 25,000 dead fish and other sea creatures.

Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done in the way of clean-up. Unlike oil, molasses sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor, basically suffocating the wildlife. However, one positive aspect of a molasses spill over an oil spill is that the ocean can resolve many of the problems on its own. Bacteria living in the ocean can break down and absorb the molasses spill much more efficiently than it could have with oil.

Matson Navigation Company, the company responsible for the spill, may face lawsuits from surrounding businesses and others that have been severely negatively impacted by this disaster. Matson has already promised that it will pay for all clean-up efforts, but the company still may face fines from government entities for the environmental impact of the spill.

Have you been impacted by the spill in Hawaii? If so, contact the offshore attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.

Sep 16, 2013

Maritime Accidents Along Mobile River Increasing

The Mobile River is a busy place for maritime activity. Ships are always docking, loading, and unloading, making it a popular place for those looking for employment. However, in the past year, there have been a string of maritime accidents, bringing attention to the dire need for attention to workplace safety.

The most recent accident took place on September 7, 2013, and resulted in the death of Dustin Rogers, a dockworker working various maritime jobs along the river. He was killed when a marine crane that was loading railroad tracks dropped one of the 3,000 pound tracks.

In April of this year, there was a huge barge explosion that seriously injured three people. In the same month, a guard shack was blown into the water, killing one worker.

Over all, there have been 12 very serious maritime accidents, including two fatalities. Each time, there has been an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) inspection. Despite the fact that each company must follow safety regulations, it is each company’s individual responsibility to implement and enforce these regulations.

When companies do not follow safety regulations and fail to put worker safety above all other concerns, accidents become more commonplace and workers can lose their lives. Whether you are a worker in a commercial fishing boat, a barge, a dredge, or a marine crane, the offshore accident attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can help you hold the parties responsible for your accident accountable. With an experienced attorney on your side, you will be more likely to recover complete compensation for your injuries.