Falling Off an Oil Rig: Your Legal Rights& Compensation Options

The Catastrophic Reality of Falling From an Oil Rig

If you’ve ever stood on the deck of an offshore oil rig, you know the feeling: the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico stretching to the horizon, the constant hum of heavy machinery, and the ever-present awareness that you’re working in one of the most dangerous environments on earth. A momentary slip, a defective guardrail, a missed safety protocol—any of these can turn a routine workday into a life-altering catastrophe. When a worker falls from an oil rig, the consequences are almost always severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, or death. At Attorney911, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation these falls cause to hardworking Texans and their families. The physical trauma is only the beginning; the financial strain, emotional anguish, and uncertainty about the future can feel overwhelming. But you are not powerless. The law provides specific protections for offshore workers, and with the right legal team, you can hold negligent employers accountable and secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

As Ralph Manginello, founder of Attorney911 with over 25 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases across Texas, explains, “Offshore work is essential to our Texas economy, but it comes with inherent risks that responsible companies must mitigate. When they cut corners on safety to save a dollar, real people get hurt. We’ve fought these corporations in federal court and know how to unravel their excuses to get justice for injured workers.” The danger is not abstract. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) reports that injuries on offshore rigs rose by 21% in 2018 and 2019. In 2019 alone, six fatalities and 222 injuries resulted from offshore incidents. These aren’t just statistics; they are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters from Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and across the Gulf Coast.

How Do Falls From Oil Rigs Happen? Common Hazards & Employer Negligence

The transcript from our video highlights several specific hazards that lead to falls. It’s crucial to understand that these are not “accidents” in the sense of unavoidable misfortune. They are typically the direct result of safety failures that could and should have been prevented.

Platform and Elevated Work Hazards

Working at height is a fundamental part of oil rig operations, and the safety systems in place are the only thing standing between a worker and a fatal plunge.

• Falling Objects: Overhead equipment, machinery, or tools can come loose and strike a worker, knocking them off balance and over the edge of a platform.
• Missing or Defective Fall Protection: This is among the most egregious forms of negligence. Safety harnesses may be unavailable, poorly maintained, or workers may not be properly trained in their use. Defective guardrails that fail under minimal pressure are a hidden trap.
• Structural Failures: Poorly constructed or maintained walkways, grating, ladders, and stairways can collapse. Corrosion from the harsh saltwater environment can weaken structures over time if not properly inspected and repaired.
• Environmental Accumulations: Ice, snow, rain, oil, grease, or water can create treacherously slippery surfaces on platforms. In the Gulf, sudden squalls can drench a worksite in moments, turning a safe path into a hazard if proper drainage and non-slip coatings aren’t in place.

Ground-Level Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

Even on the main deck, the risk of a serious fall is ever-present. A slip on a wet surface can lead to a devastating impact with heavy machinery or a fall through an open hatch.

• Exposed Cables and Hoses: Poor housekeeping leads to trip hazards snaking across walkways.
• Wet and Slippery Surfaces: From hydraulic fluid leaks to washdown water, fluids are commonplace. Without immediate cleanup and warning signs, they become a major hazard.
• Improper Footwear: Employers must provide or require appropriate, slip-resistant footwear for the conditions.
• Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting in stairwells, passageways, and work areas obscures hazards, especially during night shifts.
• Debris and Clutter: Tools, equipment, and materials left lying around create unnecessary tripping points.

In our experience at Attorney911, investigating these incidents often reveals a pattern. The company’s own safety manuals and OSHA/MOSHA regulations required specific precautions that were ignored. We obtain maintenance records, safety meeting minutes, and inspection reports to prove that the employer knew or should have known about the hazard. As Lupe Peña, our associate attorney with years of experience working for a national insurance defense firm, notes, “I’ve seen the other side’s playbook. Their first move is often to blame the worker—’he wasn’t paying attention’ or ‘he wasn’t wearing his harness properly.’ We know how to counter that by digging into the company’s systemic safety failures. We know which records to subpoena and which questions to ask in depositions to expose the truth.”

Your Legal Rights After an Oil Rig Fall: Maritime Law vs. Standard Workers’ Comp

This is where many injured workers and their families become confused—and where insurance companies hope you stay confused. If you are injured on an oil rig, you are likely covered by a specialized set of federal laws, not Texas state workers’ compensation. Understanding the difference is critical to recovering full and fair compensation.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

As mentioned in the transcript, the LHWCA provides a baseline of benefits for certain maritime workers, including many on offshore platforms. It functions similarly to state workers’ comp: it provides medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages (disability benefits) regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, and this is a massive “however,” the LHWCA has strict limitations:

• It does not compensate for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life.
• It does not provide full lost wages—only a percentage.
• It does not provide compensation for future earning capacity if you can no longer work in your trade.
• It does not provide wrongful death benefits to families beyond limited funeral expenses and dependency payments.

Accepting LHWCA benefits is often a necessary first step for medical care, but it is almost never the end of the story for a serious fall injury. As Ralph Manginello advises, “We immediately get our clients the medical care they need under the LHWCA, but we simultaneously begin building the negligence case under maritime law. You don’t have to choose one or the other; you can pursue both avenues to maximize your recovery.”

The Jones Act & General Maritime Law: Your Path to Full Compensation

To recover damages beyond the limited LHWCA benefits, you must file a personal injury lawsuit under the Jones Act (46 U.S. Code § 30104) or the General Maritime Law. This is where having an attorney with federal court experience is non-negotiable. Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where these cases are often filed.

The Jones Act applies to “seamen”—a legal term that generally includes crew members on vessels or those who work on fleets of vessels that are in navigation. Many oil rig workers, especially on mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), qualify. The Jones Act allows you to sue your employer for damages caused by the negligence of the employer, its officers, or crew members. The standard for negligence is surprisingly low: the employer or a co-worker must have acted with even the slightest degree of carelessness that contributed to the accident.

General Maritime Law provides additional claims, such as for unseaworthiness. A vessel (which can include certain oil rigs) must be reasonably fit for its intended use. If a defective piece of equipment, an unsafe ladder, or an incompetent crew member causes your fall, the vessel may be deemed “unseaworthy,” and the owner can be held liable regardless of negligence.

In a recent maritime case handled by our firm, our client injured his back while lifting heavy cargo on a ship. Our investigation revealed he should have been assisted in this duty according to safety protocols. By leveraging both the Jones Act and claims of unseaworthiness, we were able to reach a significant cash settlement that far exceeded what LHWCA benefits alone would have provided.

The Stark Statistics: How Dangerous Are Offshore Oil Rigs?

The transcript cites alarming data, and it’s worth expanding on the reality for Texas offshore workers. A CDC study found that oil and gas extraction workers are seven times more likely to be killed on the job than the average U.S. worker. The BSEE’s reported 21% increase in injuries over two years is not a fluke; it’s a trend indicating potential systemic safety failures across the industry.

The BSEE categorizes offshore incidents to identify common causes. Alongside falls, they consistently report:

• Lifting Accidents: Crane and hoist failures that can crush workers or cause catastrophic drops.
• Fires and Explosions: The presence of hydrocarbons makes these incidents particularly devastating, as seen in historical disasters like the BP Texas City explosion. Our firm is one of the few in Texas to have been involved in BP explosion litigation, giving us direct experience taking on the largest corporations.
• Gas Releases and Chemical Exposures.
• Collisions involving supply vessels or helicopters.

These statistics are not just numbers to us at Attorney911. They represent the backdrop against which we fight every day for clients from Houston, Port Arthur, Freeport, and across the Texas coast. When an insurance company tries to downplay the danger or your injury, we use this data to establish the high-risk context of your work and the employer’s heightened duty of care.

What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Fall?

If you are injured in a fall from an oil rig due to employer negligence, you may be entitled to recover comprehensive damages. This goes far beyond just hospital bills.

• Medical Expenses: Past, present, and future. This includes emergency transport (often by helicopter), surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, psychological counseling for trauma (mental health care), and any necessary long-term or in-home care.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work and, crucially, for your diminished future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to offshore work or any gainful employment.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort, both past and future.
• Mental Anguish: Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scarring or amputations.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Costs for retraining if you must transition to a new career.
• Living Expenses: Help with mortgage payments, car notes, and other bills during recovery.
• In Wrongful Death Cases: Families can seek compensation for loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and pre-death pain and suffering endured by their loved one.

Calculating these damages requires expertise. It’s not just about adding up receipts. We work with life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists to project the true lifetime cost of your injury. For example, in a case where a client’s leg was injured in a car accident, leading to staff infections and a partial amputation during treatment, the case settled in the millions. This level of recovery reflects the profound impact of the injury on every aspect of the client’s future.

Why You Must Act Immediately: The Legal and Practical Urgency

Time is your enemy after an offshore injury. Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage from the rig may be recorded over. Maintenance logs can be “updated.” Witnesses’ memories fade, and co-workers may be transferred or leave the company. Most critically, there are strict legal deadlines called statutes of limitation.

While the LHWCA has specific reporting deadlines (30 days for notice of injury, 1 year to file a claim), a Jones Act or General Maritime Law lawsuit typically must be filed within three years of the injury. However, waiting even three months can jeopardize your case. The sooner we begin our investigation, the more evidence we can preserve. We send spoliation letters to the company and rig operator, demanding they preserve all video, electronic data, equipment, and records related to your accident. This formal legal step puts them on notice that destroying evidence will have severe consequences.

Furthermore, insurance companies begin building their defense case immediately. Adjusters may call you for a “friendly” recorded statement. As Lupe Peña warns from his defense-side experience, “Every question in a recorded statement is designed to trap you into admitting some degree of fault or minimizing your injuries. They are not your friends. Let us handle all communication.”

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Offshore Injury Case?

When your livelihood and future are on the line, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a dedicated legal emergency team with proven results and insider knowledge.

25+ Years of Texas Courtroom Experience Led by Ralph Manginello

Ralph didn’t just move to Texas to practice law; he was raised here in the Memorial area of Houston, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, and has been fighting for Texans in courtrooms since 1998. His admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas is critical for your maritime case, as these claims are often heard in federal court. He doesn’t just handle cases; he tries them. This trial-ready reputation forces insurance companies to offer serious settlements. As client Jamin Marroquin said, “Mr. Manginello guided me through the whole process with great expertise…tenacious, accessible, and determined.”

Our Unfair Advantage: A Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Your Side

This is what truly sets Attorney911 apart. Lupe Peña spent years at a national defense firm, working for the insurance companies. He knows exactly how they value claims, which arguments they use to deny liability, and how they pressure injured workers to settle for less. We know their playbook because Lupe used to run it. Now, he uses that insider knowledge exclusively for our clients. When we negotiate, we know the adjuster’s settlement authority limits. When we review a lowball offer, we know the software (like Colossus) they used to generate it and how to challenge its assumptions. This advantage is invaluable.

A Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results in Complex Cases

We don’t just promise results; we have them. From a multi-million dollar settlement for a brain-injured logging worker to our involvement in the massive BP explosion litigation, we have a proven track record of taking on powerful defendants and winning. We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and a fraternity, demonstrating our willingness to fight complex, high-stakes battles. For trucking-related wrongful death cases, we’ve helped families recover millions of dollars in compensation. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial because that’s how you get maximum settlements.

Client-Centered Service You Can Feel

Read our 251+ Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating, and you’ll see a common theme: communication and care. Clients like Chad Harris say, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.” Our paralegal, Leonor, is mentioned over 80 times for her diligent communication. We have bilingual staff, including Zulema, and Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish—hablamos Español. We serve clients from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, covering the entire Texas coast and beyond.

No Fee Unless We Win Your Case

We work on a contingency fee basis (33.33% before trial, 40% if we have to go to trial). This means you pay nothing upfront. We cover all investigation costs, expert fees, and court expenses. We only get paid if and when we recover money for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. This aligns our interests completely with yours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Rig Fall Injuries

I already get LHWCA benefits. Can I still sue?

Absolutely. Receiving LHWCA medical and disability benefits is often the first step. It does not prevent you from filing a Jones Act or unseaworthiness lawsuit for negligence. In fact, pursuing both is standard practice to ensure you recover full compensation for all your damages, including pain and suffering and future losses that the LHWCA does not cover.

What if I think my own carelessness contributed to the fall?

Under the Jones Act, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as employer negligence played any role, even 1%. This is a much more favorable standard than Texas land-based personal injury law. Do not let the company or its insurer blame you. We investigate to show how the employer’s failure to provide a safe environment was the primary cause.

I work for a subcontractor on the rig. Who can I sue?

This is a complex area, but you likely have multiple potential defendants: your direct employer (the subcontractor), the rig owner, the operator, and possibly the manufacturer of defective equipment. We conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties to maximize the compensation available to you.

How long will my case take?

Every case is unique. Some serious injury cases can resolve in 12-18 months if liability is clear. Others, especially those involving disputed facts or multiple defendants, may take longer as we go through discovery and potentially to trial. We will give you a realistic timeline during your free consultation and update you every 2-3 weeks throughout the process.

What is the first thing I should do after getting hurt on a rig?

1. Seek immediate medical attention and report the injury to your supervisor officially.
2. Do not give any recorded statements to insurance adjusters or company investigators.
3. Document everything you remember about the hazard (take photos if possible).
4. Contact an experienced maritime injury attorney immediately. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will protect your rights from day one.

My loved one was killed falling from a rig. What can our family do?

We are so sorry for your loss. The family of a deceased maritime worker can file a wrongful death lawsuit under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. This can provide compensation for loss of financial support, loss of care and companionship, funeral expenses, and the pain and suffering your loved one endured before passing. We handle these cases with the utmost sensitivity and determination, as we have in recovering millions for families in trucking wrongful death cases. You need and deserve an advocate during this impossible time.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone—Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

A fall from an oil rig changes everything in an instant. The physical recovery is hard enough without battling a multibillion-dollar corporation and its insurance company alone. At Attorney911, we are your dedicated legal emergency team. With Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of federal court experience, Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge from the defense side, and a proven record of multi-million dollar results, we have the resources and tenacity to fight for you.

We are based in Texas, for Texans. From the shipyards of Houston to the oil patches of West Texas, we understand the industries that power our state and the risks its workers take. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a fall from an oil rig, do not wait. Evidence is disappearing, and deadlines are ticking.

Call us right now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights clearly, and if we take your case, we will fight relentlessly to secure the justice and compensation you need to move forward. Visit us online at attorney911.com. We are here for you 24/7 because when legal disaster strikes, you need an emergency lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue my employer if I fell from an oil rig and am already getting workers’ comp benefits?

Yes, absolutely. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides basic medical and disability benefits, but it does not cover pain and suffering, full lost wages, or future earning capacity. You can and should also file a negligence lawsuit under the Jones Act or General Maritime Law to recover full compensation for all your damages.

What if I was partially at fault for my fall on the oil rig?

Under the Jones Act, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your employer’s negligence played any role—even 1%. This is a much more favorable standard for workers than Texas land-based law. Do not let the company blame you; let us investigate the employer’s safety failures.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an oil rig injury?

For a Jones Act or maritime negligence lawsuit, you typically have three years from the date of injury to file. However, there are much shorter deadlines for reporting the injury and filing for LHWCA benefits. Evidence also disappears quickly. The safest course is to consult an attorney immediately by calling 1-888-ATTY-911 to protect all your rights.

What kind of compensation can I get for a fall from an oil rig?

You can pursue compensation for all medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, vocational rehabilitation, and necessary living expenses. In wrongful death cases, families can seek loss of support, companionship, and funeral costs.

Why is Attorney911 different from other law firms for offshore injury cases?

Attorney911 offers a unique combination: Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years and federal court experience, plus Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge from years working for insurance defense firms. We know how insurers value and deny claims because Lupe used to do it. We also have a proven record of multi-million dollar settlements in complex injury cases.

I work for a subcontractor on the rig. Can I still file a claim?

Yes. Multiple parties may be liable, including your direct employer (the subcontractor), the rig owner, the operator, and equipment manufacturers. We conduct thorough investigations to identify all responsible parties to ensure you have access to the maximum compensation available for your injuries.