If you’re wondering whether or not offshore drilling should be allowed in the Gulf of Mexico, the answer depends entirely on your perspective. If you’re an advocate for more access to oil, you’ll likely support offshore drilling as a method to ensure energy independence and secure economic growth in the United States.
However, if you’re concerned about the environment, you may be worried about the potential risks that come with offshore drilling, particularly if it comes at the expense of other forms of energy like wind and solar.
As oil prices have increased over the years, so have risks:
Increased offshore drilling in deep water environments has allowed for huge benefits to be reaped by companies who are willing to take those risks. However, as a Houston offshore accident lawyer can tell you, there’s no such thing as risk-free drilling.
Every year there are dozens of spills and accidents that occur due to human error or faulty equipment. The effects of these accidents can be devastating for both workers and coastal communities alike. Let’s look at examples..
What happens when things go wrong? As we’ve seen with BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion back in 2010, oil spills have serious consequences not only on sea life but also on coastlines.
Crude oil is toxic to living creatures in its natural form, which means that any animal unfortunate enough to come into contact with it will suffer from exposure.
Deepwater drilling means working in depths greater than 650 feet:
In these depths, workers are subject to serious accidents that are not always covered by typical worker compensation.
The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010—the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history—was an accident in deep waters and resulted in a mess that continues to cost billions of dollars to clean up.
It’s clear that drilling companies must be held responsible for offshore drilling accidents.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an offshore accident, contact a Houston offshore accident lawyer today for a free consultation about your rights.
Every precaution possible is taken to prevent disasters:
However, just because precautions are taken doesn’t mean that accidents don’t happen.
The tragic explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20th, 2010 was a wakeup call to offshore drilling companies everywhere.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident while working on an offshore oil rig, it is important to know your rights and understand how best to protect them.
If you have questions about your legal rights as a victim of an offshore accident, contact a qualified Houston offshore accident lawyer today.
When they do, legal action can be taken:
While offshore drilling is considered an inherently risky process, companies are still responsible for keeping their workers safe and preventing injuries or accidents.
If a worker is injured or killed while on duty, his or her family may be eligible to receive compensation.
For example, if your loved one was burned in a fire while working on an offshore oil rig, you might be able to hold those responsible liable for your damages.
For experienced legal guidance with these types of cases, consult with a Houston offshore accident lawyer.
But accidents do happen:
In April 2010, an explosion on BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers and led to a devastating oil spill.
The following year, Chevron was found guilty of having discharged toxic wastewater into rivers in Ecuador, as well as lying to federal regulators about it.
An Enbridge pipeline rupture in 2010 sent more than 20,000 barrels of tar sands crude spilling across Michigan’s Kalamazoo River.
And just last few month, TransCanada’s Keystone Pipeline leaked 12,700 gallons of oil onto agricultural land in South Dakota.
These are only some examples; offshore drilling is inherently risky business—and that risk has been known for decades. As early as 1965, a report commissioned by President Lyndon B.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Texas will handle your case efficiently and effectively:
No one wants to find themselves in a situation where they have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence.
Having an experienced offshore drilling accident attorney represent you will not only help ensure that your case is handled properly and that you receive fair compensation, but it can also alleviate some stress as your Houston offshore accident attorney will handle all communication with third parties such as insurance companies and deal with any legal proceedings for you.