Hurricanes pummel rigs off the gulf coast, extreme cold plagues Alaskan oil platforms and high waves are a danger to any ocean rig. Underwater welders face unique dangers including exposure to predators such as sharks, illness or injury caused by intense water pressures and the chance of electric shocks or underwater explosions when their welding ignites pockets of hydrogen and oxygen in the sea, all of which can lead to serious accidents in the workplace.

Oil riggers have an undeniably dangerous job when performing their strenuous work in remote locations for months at a time. Escalating demands for productivity in combination with a scarcity of oil rig workers force those employed on oil rigs to put in 8 to 12 hour workdays, seven days a week under dangerous, chaotic and demanding conditions. With nearly 2,000 oil rigs functioning this way in the United States today, the risk of oil rig accidents and injuries is skyrocketing.

Oil rig accidents are primarily caused by human error or negligence, a situation that is not surprising considering the pressures and sleep deprivation oil rig employees face each day. But human error is not the only cause behind these accidents, many serious injuries and fatalities occur due to over-exposure to the elements, working in proximity to asbestos or hazardous chemicals and because of equipment failure.

If you are reading this article because you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an oil rig accident then make contact with an injury lawyer specializing in oil rig injuries and accidents right away. Acting quickly is paramount in order to gather and preserve evidence before it is tampered with or destroyed.

Oil rig accidents claims are considered under maritime law, which is different than the common laws of the land that govern most personal injury and wrongful death cases. This is why a legal specialist in oil rig accidents is essential to your claim. In some cases, an oil rig accident will be covered under the workers compensation laws of the state while in others a lawsuit is more appropriate, but in either case a professional attorney with extensive experience in both areas is the best qualified to represent you and help you get compensation for damages.

Oil rigging companies have a legal obligation to take all reasonable measures to ensure the protection and safety of those working on their rigs, including employees and contractors. If oil rigging safety policy has not been enforced consistently then an accident is sure to occur and similar accidents will follow. Oil companies are extremely wealthy and have greater resources at their disposal with which to fight a lawsuit against them. Do not make the mistake of filing an oil rig accident claim without professional assistance; to do this would be foolish and practically guarantee a loss. Instead, allow your competent and aggressive professional oil rig accident attorneys to lead the charge against the oil behemoth, helping you today and securing the safety of future oil rig employees tomorrow