New Orleans Oil Rig Injury Lawyers

Oil rig workers put their lives on the line to power our region and support their families. When a preventable accident happens offshore, the impact reaches far beyond the water. Injured workers often face long recoveries, lost income, and stress about what comes next. Families carry that burden, too.

If you were hurt on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico or while traveling to or from a rig, you do not have to handle the legal process alone. At Douglas & London, we fight for injured maritime workers across New Orleans and the surrounding parishes. We make sure big oil companies do not get away with cutting corners at your expense.

You focus on your health. We take care of the rest.

Oil Rig Injuries Are Serious, and Many Are Preventable

Oil rig crews work around:

High heat and pressure
Toxic gases and chemical exposure
Heavy machinery and moving equipment
Weather risks and rough seas
Long shifts and fatigue

Even when workers follow every rule, one unsafe condition can cause a life-changing injury.

Common offshore rig accidents include:

Fires and explosions
Gas leaks and blowouts
Equipment failures
Falling objects
Slips and falls on oily surfaces
Crush injuries between moving equipment
Electrical hazards
Accidents during drilling operations
Helicopter or boat accidents during crew transport

These incidents leave workers with injuries such as:

Burn injuries
Head and brain trauma
Neck and back injuries
Paralysis or spinal cord damage
Loss of limbs
Severe fractures
Lung damage from inhaled chemicals
Deafness or hearing loss
Wrongful death

When a worker is hurt offshore, it is often because someone failed to make the job site safe. Our job is to prove what went wrong and fight for the money your family needs.

Oil Rig Workers Have Special Legal Protections

Injuries offshore are covered by maritime law, not regular workers’ comp.

Most offshore rig workers qualify as seamen under the Jones Act. This gives you rights that many injured workers on land do not have.

Your Rights Under the Jones Act

If you are injured due to your employer’s negligence, you can seek money for:

Medical treatment
Lost wages and future earning ability
Pain and suffering
Disability and long-term care needs

Negligence includes things like:

Poor maintenance
Faulty equipment
Unsafe work methods
Lack of training or supervision
Understaffed shifts
Ignoring known hazards

Unseaworthiness Claims

If the vessel or platform was unsafe for its intended use, the owner can also be held responsible. A rig must be reasonably fit for the crew working on it.

Maintenance and Cure

No matter who was at fault, you should receive:

Maintenance: Day-to-day living expenses while you recover
Cure: Medical treatment until you reach maximum recovery

If a company refuses to pay these benefits, we fight to enforce your rights.

Where Do New Orleans Oil Rig Workers Operate?

New Orleans is a major hub for offshore drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Many workers travel to rigs from Port Fourchon, Venice, Houma, and Morgan City.

When injuries happen offshore, workers might be sent to hospitals in the New Orleans area, including:

Whether you were injured offshore or during transport by helicopter or crew boat, we can help.

Our team represents workers from across:

Orleans Parish
Jefferson Parish
St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parishes
Plaquemines Parish
St. Bernard Parish
And workers from out of state who were hurt here

If the injury happened offshore in the Gulf, New Orleans is often where your case belongs. We are ready to take action.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

More than one company may share responsibility for an offshore injury. That can include your employer, the owner of the rig or vessel, contractors who maintained or operated equipment, safety or maintenance companies, and even the manufacturers of faulty machinery.

Large corporations often point fingers at each other to avoid paying what you are owed, but we make sure you are not caught in that fight.

What Money Can Injured Oil Rig Workers Receive?

We pursue full payment including:

Emergency medical care and surgery
Ongoing rehab and therapy
Lost income and lost future earnings
Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life
Disability and home modification needs

For families who lost a loved one, we file wrongful death claims to help secure financial stability and hold companies accountable.

What to Do After an Offshore Injury

Here are important steps to protect yourself:

Report the injury as soon as possible
Get medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor
Do not sign anything from the company without legal advice
Avoid recorded statements to company investigators
Keep records of symptoms, expenses, and work restrictions
Call a maritime injury lawyer early

Oil companies often look for ways to reduce or deny claims. You should have someone in your corner from day one.

Why Choose Douglas & London?

We understand the pressure offshore workers and their families face after a serious injury. You need a law firm that knows maritime law in the Gulf of Mexico, understands how rig operators and drilling contractors defend claims, and acts fast to preserve evidence offshore before it disappears. You also need a team that knows the true lifetime cost of catastrophic injuries.

At Douglas & London, we bring decades of experience with complex injury cases and deep knowledge of New Orleans courts. We stand toe-to-toe with large oil companies and support workers and families through every step of recovery. You deserve a lawyer who sees you as a person, not a case number. We take your case personally.

How Long Do I Have to File?

Deadlines for maritime claims vary, but they are not long. In many cases, you may have only three years from the date of the injury. Depending on the situation, a shorter deadline may apply.

Do not wait. Evidence on a rig can change fast. We need to act quickly to protect your rights.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If you were injured working offshore, Douglas & London is ready to fight for you. We treat clients like family and stand with you every step of the way.

Your consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win money for you. Contact Douglas & London today to talk with an oil rig injury lawyer. We are here for you and your family.