Oil rigs are a dangerous place to work. As a New York oil rig worker, you may understand this, but not be fully aware of all the risks of working in this profession. The good news, according to Time, is large offshore oil rig injury incidents are very rare. However, when they happen, the potential for fatalities and severe injuries is very high. This scenario could be compared to a plane crash because plane crashes do not occur often, but generally, have very dire outcomes when they do.

There are many safety rules, regulations and procedures in place to minimize the chances of injuries on an oil rig. Escaping a rig that has exploded or is on fire can be difficult. Usually, watertight pods are used to try to get you away from the scene until help can arrive. The Coast Guard would be the reporting authority and usually is not close by, so you have to wait for help, sometimes for hours. This can be detrimental if you are injured.

Smaller accidents onboard a rig happen all the time. You likely work 12 or more hours a day. You are isolated from your family for weeks at a time. The general working environment is hazardous with flammable materials and large equipment. This combination of factors can lead to accidents. While injuries may not be as bad, they are still a concern because help can be so difficult to get when you are hundreds of miles away from shore. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.

Paul T. Hofmann
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Focused on personal injury, with an emphasis on maritime, railroad and construction worker tort claims.