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Oil Rig Safety After Deep Horizon Accident

Figuratively and literally speaking, there is a race to the bottom in the oil industry. But that should not be permitted to put oil field employees and others at risk of severe or fatal injuries.
The literal battle to the bottom has become viable by modern advances, which now permit offshore oil rigs to tap pockets of oil well below the surface of the earth. The Deepwater Horizon project, which was the cause of the largest oil spill in United States history, was working in 5000 feet of water when it drilled 32,000 feet into the earth's crust. The rig, owned by BP, is not the only project committing a similar act. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has stated there are almost 4,000 active gas and oil companies working in the Gulf of Mexico and United States waters.

In the hurry to capitalize on rewarding oil deposits, the hazards involved in oil drilling should not be ignored. The Deepwater Horizon accident was a well-known event. However, there are many other accidents that have occurred in the past that are ignored completely and do not receive any media attention, or just receive a small amount of coverage.
Investigations by the Houston Chronicle have shown that since 2006, 509 fires have occurred on oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and that’s only the fires that have been recorded. Nine of these fires were classified as catastrophic events and severely injured twelve individuals and fatally injured two individuals. Additionally, the report showed that at least 35 platform accidents led to deaths in the Gulf of Mexico during that period of time. Employees lost their lives in diving and drowning incidents, drilling equipment errors, and helicopter accidents. Fatal accidents such as these often lead to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, and many families of the victims have retained legal counsel and won monetary compensation awards for funeral expenses, loss of companionship and more.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another? Our accident attorneys are here to help to you during this time! Contact a personal injury lawyer in your area today for more information about obtaining legal representation and receiving monetary compensation in a personal injury settlement.