Offshore compensation claims for oil rig workers
Offshore workers face risks that few other industries experience. Whether you're employed on an oil rig, drilling vessel, FPSO or another offshore installation your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment.
Although the offshore industry is heavily regulated unfortunately accidents still happen. When employers or contractors fail to meet the required safety standards it is the workers who suffer serious injuries with long-term consequences.
Digby Brown has specialist offshore accident solicitors with experience helping injured workers pursue compensation after accidents both in the North Sea and overseas.
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Getting help after an offshore accident
Digby Brown has represented workers harmed in incidents such as:
- Offshore platform accidents and structural failures
- Helicopter and vessel transport incidents
- Blowouts, well-control failures and gas releases
- Fires, explosions and electrical hazards
- Dropped objects and crane accidents
- Diving injuries and subsea operations failures
- Exposure to hazardous substances, chemicals or depleted oxygen environments
The North Sea has some of the world’s strictest safety regulations but when operators and contractors fail to comply it is workers that pay the price.
You should not have to deal with the consequences of someone else’s failure to keep you safe. We know the industry, the safety standards and the investigative processes that govern offshore incidents.
Digby Brown is here to support you through the claims process and help secure compensation for injuries, lost income, long-term disability and the impact the accident may have on your future.
No win, no fee personal injury solicitors
The expression “No win, no fee” is often used in personal injury cases. It is used as a way of funding a compensation claim where the accident victim does not have the means to pay for the costs involved as the case progresses.
A number of solicitors are prepared to handle personal injury cases on a “No Win – No Fee” basis but very few are able to offer their clients complete protection if the case is unsuccessful.
In that event, the client could end up being liable for many thousands of pounds in legal expenses or the case won't be fully investigated and therefore likely to under-settle.
Compensate 'no win, no fee' funding
Digby Brown has its own funding company, Compensate, which provides the funding to allow the case to be fully investigated, employ the best experts surrounding the circumstances of the accident and/or injuries sustained and where and if necessary go to court.
If for whatever reason the case is unsuccessful, Compensate pays all your legal expenses and those of your opponent – you pay nothing.
On average our clients receive over 3 times the pre-litigation offer
Because of Compensate funding Digby Brown's success rate is extremely high and on average our clients receive three times the pre-litigation offer.
In the event the case is successful, a small percentage of your damages will be deducted with VAT to pay for this service. The percentage which Compensate will charge depends on the degree of risk involved. We believe that this is the fairest method of giving clients access to justice whilst ensuring their cases are fully investigated, prepared and funded.
Don’t take our word for it, just read many of the court decisions and case studies on our website.
Beware of compensation offers which may be too good
We know you will have seen many adverts offering 100% compensation or telling you that you will not lose any of your compensation, however we believe there are a number of problems with companies that do this.
- How do they make their money if they don’t charge you anything?
- If they aren’t taking any money from you, the client, what incentive do they have to ensure you receive the right level of compensation, appropriate to the injuries you have sustained?
- Fully preparing a case, finding out exactly what happened and what the consequences of your injuries may mean in the long term, is expensive, how do they do this properly?
- If they aren’t fully preparing these cases will they just accept the first offer they are given on your behalf by the Insurance company?
- It makes simple business sense, the less work they do the higher their profit margin is - they simply have no incentive to work harder on your behalf.
- These adverts in the main are from English firms on national television which operates in a different way and therefore wouldn’t apply to a Scottish person.
We know from the many client cases we mandate from other firms of solicitors (in the main at the request of the client who is extremely unsatisfied with the service received for the other firm) that many shortcuts are taken in preparation and that the first offer received is being recommended for acceptance, regardless of the value.
Getting something for nothing is usually the first sign of poor service.
Correct level of compensation with Digby Brown
Our experience and statistics show time and time again we will achieve the correct level of compensation which will be substantially more than the insurer is initially prepared to offer.
Even after we have deducted our percentage as a success fee you will gain considerably more than you would have achieved using a 100% compensation model.
Contact Digby Brown's personal injury solicitors
We have offices across Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, Inverness, Aberdeen and Ayr.
For further information about no win, no fee, or anything else, call us on 0333 200 5925 or fill in our enquiry form below and someone will get back in touch with you.
How to make an offshore injury compensation claim
Successfully settling offshore injury cases can be complex - but every day we overcome the challenges of international law, safety regulations and the real life and eco-political workings of oil and gas corporations to secure justice for workers.
We are also aware of the pressure that can be placed on workers who have been injured to avoid a Lost Time Incident (LTI) - an occupational injury or illness that causes a worker to miss at least one full shift of work.
Your solicitor will fully investigate your accident on a no win, no fee basis and consider:
- Your injury - and any effects it may have on you, your quality of life and ability to work in the future.
- Medical treatment – we will take steps to ensure you access the best possible medical care. If this means going private to ensure the best care is achieved as soon as possible then this will be considered. The costs of this will simply be added to your claim and ultimately paid by the other side at the conclusion of the claim.
- Rehabilitation - some people may require significant physiotherapy or even help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Again, this is something we can help you access.
- Loss of earnings and accrued expenses - if your injury stops you working (either for a certain period of time or, in some cases, permanently), we will make sure you are not left out of pocket.
There are also small expenses we can include as part of your claim such as payment for transport to and from medical appointments in some circumstances or to cover the costs of damages to any personal possessions. It is important to keep any receipts for this purpose as they may become useful at the time you make a claim.
Offshore accident claims in the UK and overseas
We understand that offshore injuries can happen thousands of miles from home. As experienced offshore accident lawyers we have a track record of securing damages not just from injuries arising in the North Sea sector, but with claims involving companies in USA, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
We do not mention this lightly and we do not wish to cause upset. However, we believe it is important that you know where to find help and advice should you ever be affected by a serious accident.
Many people are unaware that if your loved one died as a result of an accident at work then an independent personal injury solicitor can do more than help you recover compensation. We can help uncover the facts surrounding what happened and play a part in improving processes to ensure employers never repeat the same mistakes.
Serious or fatal accidents are sensitive and traumatic times, but we will do everything we can to support you. We will also assist during any investigations by HSE, the procurator fiscal or a fatal accident inquiry (FAI).
Our dedicated Serious Injury department specialise in helping the survivors of an acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury and indeed their families. The department’s reputation is recognised by global legal watchdogs, Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 ,which is why they are frequently commended by dedicated support groups like Spinal Injuries Scotland, Back Up and Headway.
Frequently asked questions about offshore compensation
Will making a claim affect my job or employment rights?
It is important to remember that making a personal injury claim should not affect your employment rights. Your employer has a legal duty to provide you with a safe place of work. By making a legal claim you are exercising your legal right for access to justice and compensation for injuries and losses that have occurred through no fault of your own.
Oil companies, like any other employer, have employers’ liability insurance policies. Similar to if you are injured in a car accident, the employers’ liability insurers will ultimately deal with the legal claim (not your employers) and therefore pursuing a claim should not negatively impact your job or your career.
How long do I have to make an offshore compensation claim?
In Scotland, you have 3 years from the date of accident or injury to make an offshore compensation claim. There are some exceptions to this rule, particularly where the injury is more serious. We recommend contacting us at the earliest opportunity to discuss your situation so we can advise you on your individual circumstances.
What should I do after an offshore accident?
Following an offshore accident, it is important to ensure the incident is reported to your employer and/or those in charge of the rig or vessel.
If your employer or another party does not want the incident to be formally recorded, contact Digby Brown as soon as possible for legal advice and support with your offshore accident claim.
What evidence do I need to support an offshore compensation claim?
Photos of any defective equipment or the area where your accident happened can be very helpful, as can accident reports, incident investigation documents and any post-accident ‘lessons learned’ records.
However do not worry if you do not have these. Other evidence such as text messages, WhatsApp conversations and witness details may also support your claim. Our experienced offshore solicitors can often help obtain additional evidence on your behalf.
Can I still make a claim if my offshore accident happened overseas?
Yes, if your offshore accident happened while working overseas you may still be able to make a compensation claim.
Many offshore workers are still entitled to seek compensation even when the accident occurred outside the UK. Our specialist solicitors can assess your circumstances and explain your legal options.
Can I make a claim if I was partly responsible for the accident?
Yes, even if you feel you may have contributed to the accident, you should still contact Digby Brown for legal advice. Our specialist offshore solicitors can discuss your circumstances and advise whether you may be able to make a claim.
Who pays compensation after an offshore accident?
If an offshore accident claim is successful, compensation is paid by the insurance company of the party responsible for causing the accident.
It is uncommon for the company involved to make any payment directly and instead the claim will be handled and ultimately settled by the insurers or solicitors acting on the company’s behalf.
What if my employer says the accident was my fault?
If your employer says the accident was your fault, contact Digby Brown as soon as possible for legal advice.
It is important not to assume that you cannot make a claim simply because your employer believes the accident was your fault. Liability following an offshore or workplace accident can be complex and is not always straightforward.
Once we understand the circumstances surrounding your workplace accident, we will be able to advise as to whether there is potential for a claim to be made.
Why use Digby Brown for an offshore personal injury claim?
Digby Brown recovers more than £100million every year for clients. For almost two decades, our expertise has been recognised by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, which are the go-to guides for accessing legal help.
Remember - compensation is not an ‘award’. It is a payment made in recognition of your injuries to put you back in a financial position as if the accident never happened. Negligent employers are legally bound to compensate people injured by their failings.
Compensation is your legal entitlement and it can make the difference when it comes to protecting the future for you and your family.
In the first instance we suggest to simply call us. We have a dedicated Legal Enquiry Team who can answer your questions and help clarify whether you should take things further. Or simply fill in an enquiry form and someone can call you back at your convenience.
With seven offices around Scotland, we have an office near you meaning sound, face-to-face legal advice can be provided no matter where in the world you were injured.
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Saturday and Sunday: 12pm - 4pm
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