Maritime Injury & Offshore Accident

Offshore and maritime work along the Gulf Coast is dangerous by nature. Workers on oil rigs, drilling platforms, vessels, and support boats face serious risks every day. When an offshore accident happens, the injuries are often severe and life-changing. Louisiana maritime law provides important protections for injured offshore workers, but these cases are far more complex than standard personal injury claims.

Brandt & Sherman represents injured offshore workers in Lafayette and throughout Louisiana. Our attorneys understand how offshore and maritime injury claims work under Louisiana and federal law, and we help workers pursue compensation when negligence or unsafe conditions lead to serious harm.

How Offshore Injury Cases Work Under Louisiana and Maritime Law

Offshore accident claims are very different from traditional injury cases like car accidents or truck accidents. Many offshore workers are covered by federal maritime laws such as the Jones Act or general maritime law, while others may fall under different legal frameworks depending on their role and work location.

Which law applies depends on factors such as:

• Whether you qualify as a seaman
• The type of vessel or offshore structure involved
• Where the accident occurred
• Your regular job duties

Unlike typical land-based injury claims, offshore cases may allow injured workers to bring claims directly against employers or vessel owners when negligence plays a role.

Common Causes of Offshore and Maritime Accidents

Offshore accidents often stem from preventable hazards and unsafe working conditions. Common causes include:

• Equipment or machinery failure
• Slips, trips, and falls on wet or unstable surfaces
• Fires, explosions, or chemical exposure
• Vessel collisions or crane accidents
• Inadequate training or understaffing

For example, offshore workers may suffer serious injuries from hazards similar to those seen in slip and fall accidents when walkways are poorly maintained or safety procedures are ignored.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for an Offshore Injury?

Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on one or more parties, including:

• Employers or rig operators
• Vessel owners or charterers
• Third-party contractors
• Equipment manufacturers

As with other negligence-based claims, including premises liability cases, offshore injury claims often focus on whether reasonable care was taken to prevent foreseeable harm.

Compensation Available for Offshore Injury Claims

Offshore accidents frequently result in severe and permanent injuries. Compensation may be available for:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term disability
• Future medical care

Many offshore accidents involve catastrophic harm, including severe burns. Victims may require extensive treatment similar to that seen in serious burn injury cases, along with long-term financial and medical support.

In fatal offshore accidents, surviving family members may also be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Deadlines for Filing an Offshore Injury Claim in Louisiana

Strict deadlines apply to offshore and maritime injury claims. In many cases:

• Jones Act claims must generally be filed within three years
• Other maritime claims may involve shorter notice requirements
• Louisiana law imposes additional filing deadlines depending on the claim

Missing a deadline can result in losing the right to compensation entirely, which is why early legal guidance is critical.

Defenses Commonly Raised in Offshore Accident Cases

Insurance companies and employers often attempt to limit liability by claiming:

• The worker was partially or fully at fault
• The injury was pre-existing
• The worker does not qualify as a seaman
• Safety policies were violated

These arguments are common in high-risk injury claims and require careful legal analysis to overcome.