The oil and gas industry is an inherently dangerous industry and full of many regulations put in place to protect its workers. While most days on an offshore oil rig will continue without a hitch, the potential of a severe accident is much higher in this line of work than in an office job. Federal acts have been implemented to provide protection to injured offshore oil rig workers, stemming from the initial acts which provided protection to seamen years ago. Oil and gas workers who face dangerous conditions on a daily basis deserve to be protected in case of injury just as much as an ordinary office worker receives protection. If you or a loved one have been injured during a blowout, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.

A blowout is defined by the Barry Cooper of Well School as an uncontrolled flow of gas, oil, or other formation fluids into the atmosphere of another zone. A blowout can occur when the pressure in an oil or gas well changes, causing a flow of hydrocarbons to proceed unchecked. This increased flow can ignite into a blowout, which can have devastating results. A blowout not only leads to oil rig fires, but the increased flow of hydrocarbons will continue rushing until the blowout is stopped. This ongoing flow of hydrocarbons only adds fuel to the fire, which could quickly lead to an explosion.

Over the years, the oil and gas industry has worked hard to develop methodologies which will prevent blowouts. The aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill created several different federal regulations with the aim of streamlining the equipment on oil rigs, and the training of oil rig workers.

Oil and gas well blowouts can have a devastating impact on any workers on the oil drilling platform. The initial blowout, often followed by an oil rig fire, can affect dozens of workers who are on the platform at that time. Oil rig workers who work on the high seas will fall within various federal statutes to offer several recovery options. These workers are entitled to receive the same amount of protection as any ordinary worker who is able to recovery under state workers’ compensation actions or seaman who are covered within federal maritime actions. With the spread of offshore oil rigs and oil rig platforms, these federal acts have expanded to cover oil and gas workers in specific circumstances. An experienced maritime law attorney will be able to better advise you regarding your options for recovery, and the total amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.

An oil and gas blowout is a terrible accident that often has dire repercussions for any workers who were on the platform at that time. If you or a loved one have been injured during a blowout, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley is an experienced maritime law attorney who has handled dozens of claims stemming from oil and gas well blowouts. Contact our Texas offices today for your initial free consultation.