Understanding How Jack-Up Rigs Work
Jack-up rig accidents are much different from other accidents on navigable waters. Many assume they resemble tugboat, cruise, or container ship accidents. However, jack-up rigs are an entirely different matter.
Jack-up rigs are mobile offshore drilling units that drill into the ocean floor. They are the most common oil rigs used to drill offshore wells. Safety inspectors and offshore oil companies operate these rigs.
Oil companies use jack-up rigs for their drilling operations. Since the legs can raise and lower, jack-up rigs can move from place to place.
Jack-up rigs are considered "navigable vessels," as the US Department of Labor OALJ LHWCA Benchbook describes. Thus, their workers are seamen and subject to protection under the Jones Act.
The Jones Act protects American maritime workers by allowing them to sue their employers for injuries incurred due to negligence. It provides compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.
Jack-Up Rig Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Suffering a maritime injury is never easy. Those who suffer oil rig injuries may suffer permanent disability or death as a result of a maritime accident. Some of the most common types of injuries are:
- Back injuries
- Concussion
- Death
- Dental injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Skin lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
How Do Jack-Up Rig Accidents Occur?
With the legal support of a jack-up rig accident lawyer from Pierce Skrabanek, you can demand justice for your suffering.
No matter the injury, our team is here to identify faults and build a powerful case against those responsible. We aim to help you maximize your financial compensation and ensure you have access to the benefits you need to pick up the pieces of your life.
Don't hesitate to contact our legal team to request a free consultation. Call (832) 690-7000 or use our online contact form when you are ready to take back control of your future.
You can expect your jack-up rig injury attorney to investigate the cause of your maritime accident carefully. We need to determine how the accident occurred to know who should be named in insurance and civil claims. Some of the most common types of jack-up rig accidents include:
- Electrocution
- Equipment defects
- Explosions
- Failure to follow safety precautions
- Falling machinery
- Falls from elevated heights
- Fires
- Heavy lifting accidents
- Inclement weather
- Loose cables
- Loss of well control
- Oil rig collapses
- Punch through events
- Rig collapse
Compensation Under the Jones Act
“Working on a jack-up oil rig is one of the world's most challenging—and often dangerous—jobs. When accidents occur, holding those responsible accountable is paramount for your recovery and the safety of every worker on the rig.”
-Paul Skrabanek
Your jack-up rig accident lawyer can file your claim under the Jones Act. The benefits you can expect to collect will vary depending on the circumstances of your case. However, generally, there are three categories of settlements you can receive under the Jones Act, including:
Cure
Cure is similar to workers’ compensation benefits, specifically the total value of your medical expenses relating to your jack-up rig accident. There is no reason you should have to pay if your accident occurred in a work-related incident.
Your employer will be expected to cover your medical expenses, including ongoing counseling or physical therapy and future expenses due to your oil rig injuries.
Maintenance
Maintenance refers to the costs of your everyday living. When you suffer an injury in a jack-up rig accident, you may need to take time off work to recuperate. During this time, you may find yourself struggling to stay afloat financially.
Maintenance is designed to cover these expenses. It covers rent or mortgage payments, groceries, or electricity. If your employer refuses to pay maintenance and cure, you may be eligible for punitive or exceptional damages.
Personal Injury Damages
Beyond maintenance and cure, you may be entitled to additional compensation for losses caused by your jack-up rig accident. This can include compensation for non-financial hardships, such as pain and suffering. Remember, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
Let Our Jack-up Rig Accident Lawyers Get You the Compensation You Deserve
Pierce Skrabanek Fights for Near $5 Million Verdict
At Pierce Skrabanek, we’re dedicated to securing justice for workers who risk their lives daily. One of our clients, a 30-year-old driller with Diamond Offshore, experienced a life-altering accident on the Ocean Yorktown rig off the coast of Brazil. He was suddenly hoisted over 20 feet in the air, and when his fall protection failed, he sustained severe injuries to his left arm and back.
We brought his case to Harris County’s 157th Judicial District Court, where, after a week-long trial, a unanimous jury awarded him $4.9 million. This verdict is a powerful example of the justice we relentlessly pursue for injured workers. Our commitment is not only to our client’s recovery but also to set a precedent for safer working conditions on every rig.
But that’s just one example of the work we can do for you and your loved ones. According to a Martindale-Nolo study, clients who choose legal representation over self-representation almost always see more favorable compensation and results. This is especially true when dealing with complex Jones Act claims.
Pierce Skrabanek Helps Client Receive $2 Million Jones Act Claim
Filing a Jones Act claim can be complex, especially when workers face employer resistance and delayed medical care. Our client, a Jones Act seaman from Brownsville, suffered a severe back injury while moving a heavy roll of gasket material aboard a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite reporting his injury, he remained offshore without adequate medical care for a week, leading to extensive treatment and surgery. We stepped in to handle the challenging Jones Act filing, ensuring his rights were fully protected and securing a $2 million settlement to support his recovery and future.
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