Injured on an Oil Rig? Morgan & Morgan’s Oil Rig Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

Working on an oil rig, whether onshore or offshore, is one of the most hazardous jobs in the country. Massive machinery, flammable materials, extreme weather, and remote locations combine to create a mix where one wrong move can cost a career, a limb, or even a life.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a rig‑related accident, you have the right to pursue meaningful compensation, and Morgan & Morgan is here to help stand up for you.

What to Do Immediately if You’re Injured on a Rig

When disaster strikes, there’s no time to waste. Here’s what to do.

• Get medical attention immediately. Your health and safety are top priority.
• Preserve evidence. Take pictures of the accident scene, damaged equipment, your injuries, weather or site conditions, etc.
• Report the accident to your supervisor and make sure this is documented.
• Avoid giving recorded statements to the employer or insurer without first consulting an attorney. They may use your words against you later on.
• Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation. We’ll help you understand your rights, the liable parties, and what compensation you may be able to pursue.
  
   

Why Oil Rig Work Carries Extraordinary Risk

The oil‑and‑gas extraction industry has long been recognized as significantly more dangerous than the average workplace. Workers on rigs face risks that go far beyond those in most job settings.

Here are some of the most frequent and severe hazards:

• Explosions & fires. Oil and gas are inherently combustible; a spark or malfunction can trigger catastrophic consequences.
• Defective or poorly maintained equipment. When cranes, pipes, drilling machinery, or blow‑out preventers fail, the results can be life‑altering.
• Transport and vehicle incidents. Remote locations, heavy transport vehicles, and inclement weather raise the risk of crashes and roll‑overs.
• Slips, trips & falls. Oil‑rig surfaces are often slick, elevated, and exposed, making falls a major cause of lost‑work‑time and serious injury.
• Chemical exposure, environmental extremes & fatigue. Workers may face toxic gases, heavy‑duty shifts in remote locations, and weather extremes that amplify risk.

According to industry data, for example, in the first three quarters of 2025, participants in the International Association of Drilling Contractors’ Incident Statistics Program logged 304,947,958 hours of work and nonetheless recorded 633 recordable incidents and 177 lost‑time incidents.

And while fatalities may be comparatively fewer year‑to‑year, the consequences of serious injury are massive, physically, financially, and emotionally.

Common Oil Rig Injuries and Their Impacts

When different forms of negligence, mechanical failure, or hazardous conditions combine, the results are often devastating. If you’ve been injured on a rig, you may face:

• Severe burns and respiratory damage from explosions or fires.
• Crushing injuries and amputations due to equipment malfunction.
• Traumatic brain and spinal injuries, resulting from falls or being struck by heavy equipment.
• Chemical exposure illnesses from toxic gases or drilling fluids.
• Long‑term disability, chronic pain, hearing/vision loss, and psychological trauma.

These injuries can mean lifelong care, lost income, family disruption, and enormous medical bills. That’s why legal help matters.

What Compensation Is Available for an Oil Rig Injury?

You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of someone else’s mistake. When you are injured on the job by no fault of your own, then you may be entitled to compensation. Because oil rig accidents often involve severe injuries, long recovery times, and complex liability, the compensation available can be significant. The exact amount depends on the facts of the case, but injured workers may be entitled to one or more of the following:

1. Medical Expenses (Past, Current & Future)

This includes:

• Emergency treatment and hospitalization
• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Medication
• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.)
• Long-term care if needed

Oil-rig injuries frequently require long-term treatment, so future medical needs are a major part of these claims.

2. Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

If your injuries keep you out of work temporarily, you may recover the income you’ve already lost.

If your injuries permanently impact your ability to return to the same job or to work at all, you may also be compensated for the loss of future earning potential.

3. Pain and Suffering

Oil rig accidents often result in life-altering trauma. Compensation may cover:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Anxiety, depression, PTSD
• Chronic pain and permanent impairment

These damages help account for the human toll a devastating injury can take.

4. Disfigurement and Permanent Disability

If an explosion, fall, crush injury, or chemical exposure leaves a worker permanently disabled or visibly scarred, compensation may be available for those long-term physical and psychological impacts.

5. Vocational Rehabilitation

If you cannot return to your previous job because of your injuries, you may be able to obtain compensation for retraining or job-placement support.

6. Wrongful Death Damages (if a loved one was killed)

Family members may recover compensation such as:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of parental guidance
• Emotional distress
  
   

7. Punitive Damages

In cases where the employer, contractor, or equipment manufacturer acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for worker safety, such as ignoring safety warnings, failing to maintain equipment, or violating federal regulations, punitive damages may be awarded to punish wrongful conduct and deter future harm.

8. Maritime & Jones Act-Specific Compensation (for offshore rig workers)

If the injury occurred on an offshore rig, the worker may qualify for additional benefits under maritime law, such as:

• Maintenance & Cure: daily living expenses and medical care until you reach maximum medical improvement.
• Jones Act negligence claims: allowing injured seamen to sue their employer directly for unsafe conditions or negligence.
• Unseaworthiness claims: when the rig or vessel was not reasonably safe.

These laws often provide broader rights than standard workers’ compensation.

Why Legal Help Matters

Oil rig injury cases can be extremely complex because multiple parties may be responsible — from employers to equipment manufacturers to third-party contractors. These companies often have powerful insurers and legal teams working to protect their interests.

Morgan & Morgan can help ensure you pursue all the compensation you’re legally entitled to.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

In the world of oil‑rig work, there are often multiple layers of responsibility:

• The rig owner or operator.
• Equipment manufacturers (for defective parts or gear).
• Transport or logistics companies (for transit or vehicle accidents).
• Maintenance or safety‑compliance contractors.
• Sub‑contractors or third‑party service providers.

Because these operations are so complex, identifying all the potentially liable parties is critical. And because many rig‑owners aggressively defend claims, you need an attorney with experience in these high‑risk cases.

Can I Sue if I Was Injured on a Rig but I’m Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Possibly. While workers’ comp often covers on‑the‑job injuries, you may have a third‑party claim against another party (e.g., equipment manufacturer, contractor) who caused the injury. A skilled attorney at Morgan & Morgan can review all aspects of your situation and advise you on your legal options.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Morgan & Morgan has built its reputation on standing up for everyday people in the face of powerful adversaries. 

With over 35 years of experience and a nationwide presence of more than 1,000 lawyers, we fight For the People as the country’s largest personal injury law firm.

Our expert attorneys have a deep knowledge of the specific legal and regulatory frameworks affecting both onshore and offshore rig accidents, from maritime statutes to safety‑compliance law, and a proven track record of fighting for the maximum compensation that victims need and deserve to move forward with their lives.

Let Morgan & Morgan fight for your right to what you deserve, not just what the powerful oil companies would prefer you settle for.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.