Injured Offshore Rig Workers May Qualify for Compensation Under the OCSLA

Oil rig employees who work on fixed oil rigs and offshore gas pipelines may be able to recover compensation under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), following an offshore injury.  This law provides compensation for oil rig workers who have been injured or lost their lives. It is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) to workers in the outer Continental Shelf.

The OCSLA involves cases “in connection with any operations conducted on the outer Continental Shelf for the purpose of exploring for, developing, removing or transporting by pipeline the natural resources, or involving rights to the natural resources of the subsoil and embed of the outer Continental Shelf.”

When an offshore oil rig worker is injured on the job, he may be entitled to the same compensation that is available under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which includes medical benefits, survivor benefits and replacement of wages.

If you have been injured on an offshore oil rig or gas pipeline, contact a maritime attorney at our office at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800.  We will be able to explain your legal rights and ability to collect compensation for your injuries.

Be sure to order your copy of my book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. It contains information that you need to know when injured offshore.