Search and rescue operations continued as the United States Coast Guard and others dealt with the aftermath of the massive April 20 explosion on the Gulf Coast oil exploration rig Deepwater Horizon.
Despite best efforts to contain the blaze, the oil rig could not be salvaged. The platform sank Thursday morning, April 22.
Experts suspect that a well blowout may have been responsible for the catastrophic event. Federal officials are assembling teams to investigate the accident.
As observed by Houston maritime injury lawyer Kurt Arnold during an interview with the Houston Chronicle shortly after the tragic explosion, “Unfortunately, the rise of incidents offshore are increasing as the exploration for oil and gas increases. Many companies talk about their safety record, but the majority of accidents are not reported or misclassified. Unlike on land, there is little oversight."
The newspaper found that over 500 fires have been reported on offshore oil rigs since 2006, including nine major fires that killed at least two people and seriously injured twelve others. At least 35 fatalities were due to Gulf of Mexico oil rig accidents, of whatever kind, during the same time period, the paper said.
In a separate interview with Houston ABC affiliate KIAH-TV, Mr. Arnold observed that Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations do not apply to maritime operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Arnold, whose firm Arnold & Itkin LLP has represented injured maritime workers in ten lawsuits against rig owner Transocean during the past five years, was familiar with instances in which companies “cut corners” in ways that jeopardize worker safety.
Offshore petroleum industry personnel such as those who worked aboard the Deepwater Horizon are protected by the Jones Act, a federal law that allows injured maritime workers and their families to recover money damages for their injuries.
As a member of the National Mariner’s Association (NMA), an advocacy and watchdog group that seeks to improve the safety, health and social stability of U.S. mariners, Arnold & Itkin LLP remains intent upon enhancing and promoting the safety of offshore workers.
Seventeen of the evacuated workers were known to be injured, with three reportedly having suffered critical injuries. The workers' injuries included burns, broken bones, and smoke inhalation.
Authorities could only hope that the missing workers fled the Deepwater Horizon in a lifeboat, as did many of the workers who were safely evacuated. The latter were picked up at sea by other vessels which responded to the calamity.
The environmental toll surrounding the loss of the Deepwater Horizon remains uncertain but is likely to be substantial.
For the latest information on the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, visit and subscribe to Arnold & Itkin LLP's maritime injury coverage, which is just a portion of the maritime personal injury information offered by the firm in support of its ongoing efforts to enhance maritime safety.
About Arnold & Itkin LLP
The lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP are aggressive advocates who understand the complexities and legalities of maritime law and have a successful track record of verdicts and settlements. If you or a loved one have been injured in an oil rig or other maritime accident, our goal is ensure you get the compensation you deserve. We have the expertise to handle maritime claims at port cities along the Gulf Coast in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
If you or a family member has suffered a maritime injury, call us toll free at (866) 222-2606 or contact us online using the form on this page. We provide free consultations, and we can advise you on all aspects of maritime law and the benefits you are entitled to under the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, the principle of maintenance and cure, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
