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Oil Companies Need to Be Aware of Shallow Water Dangers

James Watson is leaving his position as head of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement this year, but he has some advice for ways companies can continue forward before he does. After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident, there has been a lot of attention in the oil and gas industries on improving safety conditions for deep-water rigs. However, Watson is concerned that there may have been too much emphasis on this at the cost of examining the risk of shallow water operations.

With a fatal accident last November and an incident just this past July that required the evacuation of more than forty workers, both on shallow water platforms, he may well be onto something. Both of the incidents happened at wells that had been operating for some time.

As he leaves his position as director, Watson urges fuel companies to examine their safety measures on shallow water platforms in close detail. Just because the water is shallower does not necessarily mean a significant difference in risk level, at least if the shallow water platforms are not maintained properly.

The Bureau itself was created after the Deepwater Horizon accident, so it is only natural that it has been focused on changing deep-water platforms, but now the time has come for it to be more thorough in ensuring the safety of all platforms.

If you or someone you love has suffered the consequences of the conditions of maritime work in the Gulf, you should be recompensed for your stress and injury. A Houston Jones Act attorney can help you understand what your options are and how to hold your employer responsible for any unsafe conditions. These cases both get you the compensation you deserve and also improve conditions for other workers.

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Safety Concerns of Offshore Drillers

In the wake of recent rulings regarding the Black Elk Energy accident, oil companies are likely concerned about their own operations. The Black Elk Energy company was cited this week with 41 violations as a result of the explosion that killed 3 workers last year. The violations cite many problems, some of which may be partially responsible for the accident.

While this may seem like a harsh ruling, it is possible that the company will be able to resolve many of them – the company has 2 months to respond to the violations. In the meantime, other companies may be concerned about their own possible safety violations. Violations can carry large fines, although for most companies, these fines may be worth risking rather than having to conform to some expensive changes.

It is important to note that even if a company is charged with a violation, they have a certain length of time to correct the problem. Often, companies are allowed months to fix problems. Until then, workers are exposed the dangerous conditions, likely unaware of the situation they are putting themselves into. Workers who are injured are covered by maritime laws including the Jones Act. This allows workers to seek legal action in the case of an injury.

If you have been injured, it is important to speak to an experienced Galveston oil rig injury attorney as soon as possible. The attorney will review the circumstances of the accident to determine the best way to proceed. The Galveston oil rig injury attorney understands these types of accidents and knows how to establish negligence. An oil rig job is dangerous, but the company must take precautions to ensure safety. Talk to a Galveston oil rig injury attorney to learn more about seeking legal action after having sustained an injury while working offshore.

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Dangers of Offshore Workers

Offshore work can be dangerous and demanding. Those who physically fit are often the safest. Workers need to have an incredible mix of both physical and emotional strength and fortitude. Work is not only difficult, but also dangerous work conditions can add to the difficulty of performing the job. All too often, workers are at the mercy of their company to ensure that they are safe.

Companies must follow specific safety procedures. If they don’t they can be heavily fined. Of course, offshore operations are quite complex. Not only are there many different jobs that need to be performed, but there are also many different pieces of machinery that must be operated and maintained. Rough weather conditions can make the job more difficult.

With so much going on, it’s no wonder that offshore jobs are considered dangerous. It is important for offshore workers to know that they have rights and are protected if they are injured while working. If you have been injured it is important to talk to a Baytown personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The lawyer will review the facts of the accident and advise you as to the best way to proceed.

Companies are under legal obligation to keep working conditions safe for their employees. Even so, many of these offshore locations are operating under difficult circumstances and may not meet the standards that they should. When a worker is injured due to the negligence of the company, the worker is entitled to compensation.

Talk to a Baytown personal injury attorney to seek help in dealing with an injury. The injury may not only be painful, but it may also cause you to have expensive medical bills. Additionally, you may need to take time off work while you are recovering. A Baytown personal injury attorney will discuss your options with you and help you get the compensation you deserve.

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The Dangers of Commercial Fishing

In early September, a crew member of a commercial fishing boat died after he sustained injuries to his head and neck while on-board the boat.  The man was Donald Alversa, and he was onboard the “Jason & Danielle”, a dragger which was off the coast of North Carolina at the time of the accident.

After the accident, he was lifted by helicopter to be treated at the hospital, but his condition quickly worsened and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, commercial fishing is one of the dangerous occupations in America.  The general rate of death among all U.S. workers is 4 in 100,000.  For commercial fishermen, the rate is 124 in 100,000.

What makes commercial fishing so dangerous?  Dangerous weather, long hours, strenuous manual labor, and heavy equipment combine to create a work atmosphere ripe for serious injury and death.

Most of these accidents occur when the vessel itself has an accident, but fall overboards are also a common cause of death.

If you are a commercial fisherman and have suffered serious injury while on the job, an offshore injury attorney at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can help.  Injuries in this line of work can be serious and leave you unable to work and support yourself and your loved ones.  Our maritime attorneys can help; there is broad compensation available to maritime workers.  Find out more about your legal options.  Contact us today for your free case review.

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Two Barges Collide with Bridges in Arkansas

In late August, 2 barges were accidentally set free from a tugboat and drifted down the Arkansas River in Little Rock, eventually crashing into a pedestrian bridge and the Interstate 30 bridge.  The bridges were shut down in order to assess their stability and safety, but were shortly thereafter reopened.

Similar collisions have led to tragic results in the past.  In May of 2002, a barge struck a bridge, a piece of which later collapsed, killing 14 people.  Authorities inspected the bridges that were struck in this instance, but deemed them safe enough to travel.

Bridges are only inspected ever 2 years, more frequently if the need arises.  Many bridges in the area have protection systems designed to protect the integrity of the bridge in case of a collision such as this one.

Have you been injured in a barge accident?  If so, contact the offshore accident attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP.  There are innumerable ways in which barge accidents can occur.  From collisions with subsequent consequences as in this case, to more common accidents in which a worker is thrown from a barge or injured while employed aboard a barge.  Our attorneys can provide immediate help.  Contact us today.

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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.