Oil Rig Accident Attorney

Request Free Consultation

Full Name

Email

Phone Number

Service

Oil Rig & Offshore Accident Attorneys in Houston & The Woodlands, TX

Work in the oil and gas industry is among the most demanding and high-risk occupations in the world. Whether on an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico, a jack-up rig, a drillship, or an inland production site, workers face harsh conditions, heavy machinery, and volatile substances daily. When an oil rig accident occurs, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming.

At Grimes & Fertitta, P.C., our experienced personal injury attorneys represent injured oil rig workers, mariners, offshore roustabouts, and their families. With deep roots in Texas and decades of trial experience, our team provides aggressive advocacy to ensure negligent operators, contractors, and equipment manufacturers are held fully accountable.

Types of Oil Rig Accidents We Handle

Oil rig injuries rarely stem from simple mistakes; they are often the direct result of inadequate safety protocols, equipment failure, poor maintenance, or rushed operations. Grimes & Fertitta represents victims injured in a wide variety of offshore and onshore drilling incidents:

Rig Blowouts, Fires, and Explosions: Volatile gases and high-pressure reservoirs can lead to catastrophic fires, thermal burns, and structural collapses.
Equipment & Machinery Malfunctions: Failures involving top drives, drawworks, catheads, mud pumps, pipe handlers, or defective cables and winches.
Struck-By and Caught-In/Between Incidents: Heavy drill pipes, swinging loads, and rotating machinery pose constant danger, leading to crushed limbs, fractures, or traumatic amputations.
Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet deck surfaces, oil slicks, unmaintained grating, and open hatches frequently cause serious falls from high elevations or structural stairways.
Toxic Chemical & Hydrogen Sulfide ($H_2S$) Exposure: Inhalation of toxic gases, hazardous fumes, or drilling fluids can cause acute respiratory distress, chemical burns, or severe neurological impairment.
Offshore Transportation Accidents: Helicopter crashes, crew boat collisions, and hazardous transfers during high-sea personnel boarding operations.

Maritime & Energy Injury Laws: Understanding Your Rights

Determining which law applies to an oil rig accident is critical to securing proper compensation. Unlike standard workers’ compensation claims, oil rig injuries are governed by complex federal and maritime laws:

The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104)

If you are a crew member or assigned to a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU), jack-up rig, drillship, or barge, you may qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act. This federal law allows injured workers to sue their employer for negligence and seek damages including medical care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and maintenance and cure.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

The LHWCA covers maritime workers who are injured on navigable waters or adjoining areas (such as docks, piers, or fixed platforms close to shore) but do not qualify as Jones Act seamen. It provides coverage for medical expenses and disability compensation.

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)

The OCSLA extends federal safety standards and state law remedies to workers on fixed platforms anchored to the Outer Continental Shelf beyond state territorial waters.

Third-Party Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims

If an injury was caused by a negligent third party—such as a defective equipment manufacturer, an independent contractor, or a vessel charterer—you may have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit outside of workers’ compensation limits.

Why Choose Grimes & Fertitta for Your Claim?

Navigating claims against major energy conglomerates and their insurance teams requires a law firm that understands how the defense operates.

Opposing-Perspective Experience: Founding partners Richard M. Grimes and Julian J. Fertitta III bring background experience representing both plaintiffs and defense sides in complex tort litigation. This perspective allows our firm to anticipate defense tactics, counter delay tactics, and build ironclad cases.
Comprehensive Investigation: We act quickly to secure critical evidence, including rig logbooks, maintenance records, black box data, safety inspection logs, and witness statements before evidence disappears.
Full Financial Recovery: We fight to recover full compensation covering immediate medical bills, long-term rehabilitation, lost past and future wages, reduced earning capacity, physical pain, and mental anguish.

Trustworthy Industry & Legal Authority Resources

For additional authoritative information regarding oil field safety standards, federal offshore regulations, and maritime law protections, please review the following trusted resources:

OSHA Oil and Gas Extraction Safety Standards
Official guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding workplace safety rules, health hazards, and industry standards for oilfield operations.
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
The primary federal agency enforcing safety regulations, environmental protections, and offshore rig inspections on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Oil & Gas Extraction
Comprehensive research and safety data detailing health hazards, toxic exposure risks, and injury prevention strategies for energy industry workers.
U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) – Maritime Legislation
Federal information regarding maritime administration, vessel operations, and federal statutory protections under U.S. maritime law.

Contact Grimes & Fertitta, P.C. Today

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury on an offshore oil rig, drillship, or inland drilling site, do not face the oil company’s insurance team alone.

Call Grimes & Fertitta today to schedule a confidential, no-obligation case evaluation:

Houston Office: 713-224-7644

The Woodlands Office: 281-882-8488

Richard M. Grimes is an experienced litigator who has successfully represented clients in matters involving catastrophic injury, trucking accidents, corporate and partnership disputes, contract disputes, commercial litigation, auto accidents, family law, custody disputes, real estate fraud, medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, and high net worth divorce. Known for his ability to manage cases from inception through trial, Richard provides clients with dedicated representation aimed at achieving results that safeguard their rights and interests.

Julian J. Fertitta, III has built a distinguished career handling a wide range of legal disputes, including catastrophic injury, trucking accidents, medical malpractice, corporate and partnership disputes, contract disputes, commercial litigation, auto accidents, family law matters, and high net worth divorce cases. His practice also includes real estate fraud, custody disputes, and general litigation. Julian began his trial career managing complex tort actions across Texas and has since established himself as a trusted advocate for both plaintiffs and defendants.