Oil rig & offshore accident compensation claims

There are plenty of hazards when working on oil rigs or in other offshore settings. These can lead to various injuries and, unfortunately, some can be life-threatening. 

Common causes of oil rig and offshore accidents include:

• Transport to and from the rig - Typically, helicopters and boats are used to transport workers to the rigs, leading to accidents during transit.
• Faulty work equipment - There are a lot of heavy-duty moving parts on an oil rig and mechanical failure or inadequate training in using it can put workers at risk.
• Extreme weather - Harsh weather conditions can make tasks more difficult and could lead to slips or falls on the rig.
• Chemical exposure - During the extraction and processing of oil, you may have contact with toxic chemicals. This can cause breathing problems, chemical burns, allergic reactions and asphyxiation. 

Your employer is responsible for creating a safe working environment and that's crucial in an industry as dangerous as this. The following measures should be taken on oil rigs:

• Maintain proper safety standards 
• Provide personal protective equipment
• Deliver thorough training
• Maintain machinery
• Complete risk assessments frequently

Were any of these missing during your accident? Get in touch with us today and we'll let you know if you're entitled to make a claim.

Accidents in this line of work can lead to injuries and procedures such as amputations. Common injuries include:

• Broken or fractured bones, including hips, arms and legs
• Sprains in places such as ankles or wrists
• Spinal injuries such as slipped discs
• Head and brain injuries such as fractures or haemorrhage
• Nerve damage, including tears 
• Dislocations such as of the shoulders
• Ligament and/or tendon damage, including partial and full tears
• Cuts, scrapes or bruising

We understand these injuries can make your life difficult but a successful oil rig and offshore compensation claim could help you through it. Don't see your injury on our list? Speak to us on and we'll tell you if your injury qualifies for these claims too.

Making a claim following your accident can be daunting and you may be unsure whether to go through with it. The dangerous nature of oil rig work makes it difficult to know if you're the one to blame. However, we tend to believe that if the incident feels wrong, it probably is. 

We know that getting confirmation that you can claim is an important first step. The best way to find out is to contact us on , so our friendly helpline advisors can hear your story and advise you further.

When you speak to us, we usually advise that you can claim if:

• Your accident happened in the last three years 
• Somebody else is to blame 
• You were injured because of your accident

Alternatively, use our online claim checker to get an answer. We'll ask you some quick and simple questions that help us to decide if you can claim.

Collecting as much evidence as possible will help your personal injury solicitor build a strong case. Photographic evidence or CCTV footage can be beneficial in showing the accident happening. If possible, get safety records, incident reports and employment records from your employer as well.

Other useful evidence to collect for your oil rig and offshore injury lawyer include: 

• A date, time and location of the incident 
• Contact details of the witnesses
• A list of injuries you've suffered because of the accident. Photographic evidence can be helpful in this
• The medical treatment received for your injury with details about the ward, hospital or doctor's surgery where you were treated
• All costs incurred from your accident, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages

We recommend collecting as much information as possible before you start your claim to make the process easier. If there is information you don't have, then your drilling rig accident lawyer will seek to secure it for you if you go ahead with your claim.

Contacting one of our helpline advisors is the first step when making an offshore oil rig compensation claim. They'll take time to understand your accident, injuries and the challenges you've faced as a result. You'll then be told if you have grounds to make a claim. 

From here, the choice is yours to proceed with your claim or not. Our advisors will never pressure you into deciding either way. It is your decision so take some time thinking about it. If you decide to proceed, you'll be put in contact with one of our oil rig compensation lawyers. 

They'll walk you through the claims process, so you know what to expect, and discuss whether your case can be taken on a no win no fee basis. When you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs, so long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises.

Your solicitor will then start gathering relevant evidence and contact those at fault for your injury.

Typically, you need to claim within three years of the incident. If you're close to this limit, consider contacting us on as soon as possible while there's still time. 

There are exceptions to the three-year rule. For example, if a serious brain injury has been sustained that limits the injured person's mental capacity, there's no time limit. Should full brain functionality resume, the injured person will have three years from then to make a claim. 

You may be able to claim on behalf of a loved one depending on circumstances. This includes claiming on behalf of an injured person with head or brain trauma, or a loved one with a pre-existing medical condition. If this means they can't make decisions alone, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is in place to protect vulnerable people so claims can be made on their behalf. 

Alternatively, if your loved one's accident was, sadly, fatal and it wasn't their fault, you could be able to claim on their behalf. We understand how difficult this time can be and while we can't change what happened, we could help you get compensation to deal with any financial pressures.

Putting a figure on the amount of compensation you could be owed is difficult. To get an accurate number, your offshore oil rig injury solicitor will calculate it based on the financial impact of the accident (special damages) and how the injury has affected your life (general damages).

Solicitors will use the Judicial College Guidelines while assessing the amount you could be awarded.  works within the regulations set by the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service rules.

The following details will be considered to establish the right amount of compensation: 

• Income lost because of being unable to work and future income losses 
• Costs incurred by you and loved ones, including hospital parking, treatment, travel and home adaptations 
• The pain and suffering from your injury
• Impacts the injury has had on your life. For example, if you've been unable to enjoy your hobbies
• Psychological and emotional impacts you've suffered

If you aren't ready to chat with us but want to see how much you could be awarded, use our compensation calculator. This will give you a rough estimate but please bear in mind that it may differ from the final sum you're awarded if successful.

Yes, you can. Many oil rig accident claims are made on a no win no fee basis. With this, you won't pay a penny in legal fees if your case is unsuccessful, so long as you have the correct insurance in place. Your solicitor may discuss taking out after the event (ATE) insurance to cover any costs should you lose your case.

But if your case is successful, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed percentage from your overall compensation fee. This will all be discussed before they start your case, so you don't need to worry about hidden costs.

In some instances, no win no fee may not be possible. Your solicitor will let you know if this is the case immediately, so you can decide whether to proceed or not.