Which Laws Protect You After an Offshore Rig Injury?
Offshore injury claims are unlike typical workplace injury cases. They are governed by specialized maritime laws that determine who is covered, what benefits are available, and how compensation is calculated.
- Jones Act: For offshore workers who qualify as “seamen” under the Jones Act, there is the right to sue an employer directly for negligence. This can include recovering damages for medical costs, lost wages, future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Workers not covered by the Jones Act may have rights under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which provides benefits for medical treatment, disability, and in some cases, third-party lawsuits.
- Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA): For incidents on rigs located beyond state waters, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) extends federal law to these injuries.
Determining which law applies is critical to pursuing the strongest claim. Our Houston offshore rig injury lawyers carefully review each worker’s duties, time offshore, and work location to identify the right legal path for maximum recovery.