In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon resulted in 11 fatalities. Our firm stood by some of the families who had lost their loved ones and the individuals who had been harmed in this tragic accident, providing exemplary representation as they sought compensation. As a qualified team of lawyers, we are well-versed on what is involved in these types of cases and can provide the kind of legal counsel you need to obtain the restitution you deserve.
Reach out to our Texas oil rig fire attorneys at (888) 493-1629 so we can review your claim. Your consultation is free.
Oil Rig Fire in Sabine Pass Traps 9 Workers
On the afternoon of February 24, 2022, a decommissioned oil rig in Sabine Pass caught fire, trapping 9 workers inside. A local news crew that arrived at the scene reported hearing explosions. The jack-up rig was being dismantled at the Port City Partners Marine Yard near Port Arthur, Texas, when the fire and explosions occurred.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Port Arthur Fire Department responded, and a Coast Guard helicopter was able to rescue all 9 workers from atop the oil rig. No injuries were reported, though the flames got within 100 feet of the workers before they were airlifted from the burning platform.
This oil rig fire is a reminder that even decommissioned platforms can pose a serious risk to workers and anyone nearby. While these shipyard workers escaped with their lives, others are not so lucky. That is why we are so passionate about helping the people who work on jack-up rigs, in shipyards and ports, and at sea. Our oil rig fire lawyers do everything in our power to help injured workers and their families get answers and move on.
Injured in an Oil Rig Fire? Put Leading Offshore Injury Attorneys on Your Side.
Also known as blowouts, oil rig fires are one of the most dangerous types of explosions in the industry. In the process of drilling for oil or gas, the rig goes into pockets of gas that are embedded in sealed-off layers of rock. While the gas has been sealed off, it has built up an incredible pressure. Oil rigs keep the drilling hole full of dense fluid or drilling mud to handle this pressure. When the weight of the mud or drilling fluid cannot hold back the pressure, natural gas, oil, or water can "blowout" to the surface and cause a fire or explosion.
- Understands your case and how to advocate on your behalf
- Has a proven record of success securing compensation for injury victims
- Cares about the individuals and families they represent
- Possesses the skills, resources, and expertise to win your case
That is what you will find when you come to Arnold & Itkin. Our team has recovered billions. More importantly, we have helped countless clients get the fair compensation they deserved following catastrophic oil rig fires.
Common Causes of Oil Platform Fires
Although water surrounds oil rigs, there is a great potential for fire if necessary precautions are not taken. Any open flame can present the possibility of an accident. Incidentally, the only way to get work done aboard an oil platform is with welding and cutting tools that produce heat and fire. It is up to the worker's employer to train them in the proper ways to handle their tools to prevent them from coming into contact with the flammable fuel aboard the rig. Seemingly minor mistakes can result in horrific endings if necessary precautions are not taken.
Electrical fires can be caused by many issues as well. There are specific electrical devices that employees are allowed to use offshore. It is pertinent that individuals abide by the rules set in place for their safety and the safety of others. Additionally, any open wires that have eroded can spark and eventually cause a significant fire if not attended to right away. The staff, in general, must be aware of their surroundings and the dangerous environment that they are a part of when coming aboard an oil platform. Sometimes even natural occurrences such as lightning can strike the platform, leaving little time for employees to escape the rig before the onset of a fire.
Regardless of the circumstances, the oil rig company can be at fault for these types of disasters.
The company may know full well that there are issues aboard an oil platform, but neglect to do anything about it due to the high cost to their business or just plain negligence. Victims of oil rig and fires should always seek medical attention first, and then they should get in contact with an oil rig fire lawyer as soon as possible.
Blowout Preventers Don’t Always Stop Fires
Today, oil rigs have a blowout preventers (BOP) to seal in the high-pressure gases that try to force their way to the surface of the hole being drilled. The blowout preventer acts as a lid on a pressure cooker and is attached to the surface casing that is cemented into the ground before the drilling even starts. Blowout preventers can be installed on oil rigs and may be located as deep as 7,000 feet or more. These devices are designed to stop pockets of gas from rising, but there are some instances when a blowout preventer is not closed fast enough.
As was the case with the recent Gulf oil rig fire, these fires can also be started when an acetylene torch cuts an oil line. The Black Elk Energy Co. oil and natural gas platform that recently caught on fire was a sobering testimony to the devastation caused by these types of fires. Instead of using a saw, the contracted workers aboard the platform used a torch, which cut a line that had 28 gallons of oil in it and ignited after catching vapors.
Statistics on Oil & Gas Industry Fires
According to federal labor statistics, the oil and gas industry was responsible for more than 10% of all workplace fatalities related to fires and explosions, with 78 deaths occurring in the industry from 2009 to 2013. Fires and explosions made up the third most frequent cause of fatal accidents (15%) in the oil and gas industry, and this number has grown in recent years. Due to the enormous fuel supply for the fire, oil rig fires are more difficult to extinguish than regular fires. These types of fires may burn for days before crews can plug it, which can create an incredible amount of damage during that time, not to mention serious injuries sustained.
Contact Our Experienced Houston Oil Rig Fire Lawyers: (888) 493-1629
If you or someone you love has been injured in an oil rig fire, it is crucial that you act fast. You have specific rights as an offshore worker, and our firm is here to make sure that you are not taken advantage of by your employer or their insurance company. Arnold & Itkin LLP has filed lawsuits on behalf of countless injured oil rig workers over the years, including those injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Our team of skilled oil rig fire lawyers is more than prepared to stand up for your rights during this time. We have unparalleled legal experience in this area of law, and we can use this to benefit you and your family during this challenging time.
We are here to protect your best interests and obtain fair compensation. Fill out a free case evaluation now.
