Key points when claiming for an offshore accident
- You have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start a claim.
- Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
- You can claim on a no win, no fee basis.
- You can claim for an accident caused by employer negligence or unsafe conditions.
- Your employer cannot terminate your employment for pursuing a claim.
- You can claim as an employee or contractor – even if you were partly to blame.
If an oil rig injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Working on an oil rig can be a hazardous job, with a high risk of accidents and injury due to the nature of working offshore. If you have been injured while working on an oil rig, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
In this article, we will outline the process for making a No Win, No Fee claim, eligibility for making a claim, common types of accidents and injuries, and how a solicitor can help you.
You are not alone
HSE report there are around 100 reportable offshore injuries a year (hse.gov.uk).
In the latest data available, there were 114 major injuries on offshore oil and gas installations in the UK, along with 220 non-major injuries in 2019/2020.
How much compensation can I claim for an injury on an oil rig?
The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:
At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.
Oil rig injury
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for lost wages, bonuses, benefits and other perks, damage to clothing, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as pain medication, physical therapy and psychological support.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average oil rig injury general damages compensation table
The following oil rig injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Ankle injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Minor fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries with full recovery | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | A fracture or ligament injury with mild ongoing symptoms | £15,250 to £29,500 |
| Severe | Lengthy treatment required, and your ability to walk has been permanently affected | £34,740 to £55,540 |
Chest injuries
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rib fracture or soft tissue injury | Serious pain and/or disability for several weeks | Up to £4,380 |
| Collapsed lung | Full uncomplicated recovery | £2,440 to £5,910 |
| Toxic fume or smoke inhalation | Some lung damage, but lung function is not affected | £5,910 to £13,970 |
| Chest injury (no damage to lung) | A chest injury with no significant, permanent lung damage (e.g. a penetrating chest wound) | £13,970 to £19,930 |
| Damage to chest or lung | Some ongoing disability | £34,740 to £60,840 |
Cold injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Less serious | Some pain & discomfort in cold weather | Around £16,650 |
| More serious | Continuous pain & discomfort in cold weather, and/or a psychological impact | Around £36,050 |
Elbow injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery within 18 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £3,920 |
| Recovery between 18 to 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £7,210 |
| Recovery after 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage | Up to £13,970 |
Finger injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relatively minor injury | Finger fractures that recover in under 6 months, and/or injuries with tenderness, pain in cold weather, or scarring | Up to £5,270 |
| Index finger fracture | Fracture fully heals, but with ongoing pain, disability and an increased risk of osteoarthritis | £10,110 to £13,570 |
| Finger fractures | Fractures that cause deformity, affect sensation, and/or have a long term affect on your grip and ability to use your hand | Up to £40,760 |
Hand injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) injuries to one or both hands | A fracture or break recovering within 6 months, and/or with scarring, tenderness and pain in cold weather | Up to £5,270 |
| Moderate injuries to one or both hands | Moderate crush injuries, penetrating wounds, or deep cuts | £6,280 to £14,730 |
| Moderate/serious injuries to one or both hands | Serious crush injury that causes impaired function andthat cannot be resolved with surgery | £16,040 to £32,170 |
Knee injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | E.g. dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus, that could cause future symptoms or weakness, or that exacerbated an existing injury | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | More serious knee injuries with a greater risk of future symptoms, pain and weakness | £16,460 to £29,050 |
| Serious | E.g. a leg fracture that extends to the knee joint, or injuries that cause constant pain and restricted movement, and/or a risk of osteoarthritis or future knee surgery | £29,050 to £48,210 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple femur fracture | Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| More serious fractures | Incomplete fracture recovery with ongoing symptoms | £19,930 to £30,800 |
Wrist injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser | Relatively minor soft tissue injury or displaced fracture, with a full recovery within 12 months | £3,920 to £5,260 |
| Moderate | Uncomplicated Colles' fracture | Around £8,250 |
| Moderate | Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery | £6,750 to £11,480 |
Making an oil rig injury claim
The process of making an oil rig injury claim typically involves the following steps:
The high-risk nature of the oil and gas industry
The oil and gas industry is considered a high-risk industry due to the potential for serious accidents and injuries. The nature of the work involves handling hazardous materials, heavy machinery, and working in remote and challenging environments.
Employers have a duty to provide adequate training and safety measures to minimize the risks to offshore workers.
How health and safety laws protect oil rig workers
There are several pieces of health and safety legislation that apply to oil rigs, including the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
These laws place a duty of care on employers to ensure that their workers are provided with a safe working environment and adequate training and equipment. This includes identifying and managing risks, providing safety equipment such as personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensuring that workers are trained to carry out their roles safely and effectively.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on April 30, 2022. These regulations require employers to provide suitable PPE to workers free of charge, and to ensure that the PPE is used properly.
Typical oil rig accidents
Common types of accidents that may occur on oil rigs include:
Types of injuries on oil rigs
Injuries that may be sustained on oil rigs can include:
Can I make an oil rig contractor injury claim?
Contractors who work on oil rigs may also be eligible to make injury claims if they suffer an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party. This may include claims against the oil rig operator, the client who hired the contractor, or other contractors who were working on the rig.
Does the employment status of workers on oil rigs matter for a claim?
Workers on oil rigs may be employed directly by the oil rig operator, or as contractors or agency workers. Regardless of employment status, all offshore workers are entitled to the same duty of care and protection under health and safety legislation.
Who can injured oil rig workers claim against?
If you have been injured in an oil rig accident, you may be able to claim against one or more of the following parties:
Injuries to oil rig visitors
If you are injured while visiting an oil rig as a client, contractor, or other visitor, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries if the accident was caused by the negligence of another party. This may include the oil rig operator, contractors, or other visitors.
What to do if you have been injured on an oil rig
If you have been injured while working on an oil rig, it is important to seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. You should also report the accident to your employer or supervisor, and contact a solicitor specializing in oil rig injury claims to discuss your options for making a claim.
How a solicitor can help with an oil rig injury claim
A solicitor specializing in oil rig injury claims can help you to gather evidence, negotiate a settlement with the responsible parties, and take your claim to court if necessary.
They can also provide guidance and support throughout the claims process, helping to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
How did your offshore injury happen?
The process for claiming compensation will vary depending on how you were injured. Click the icons below to learn more:
Can I make a no win, no fee oil rig injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim oil rig injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to a work accident specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackSources
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (reviewed: 31/07/2024)
HSE Offshore: Statistics (reviewed: 02/08/2024)
The Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 (reviewed: 29/07/2024)
- You have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start a claim.
- Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
- You’re eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
- You can still make a claim if your injury was caused by a self-employed contractor.
- Your employer cannot terminate your employment for pursuing a claim.
- Whether you’re an employee, contractor, or temp, you can make a claim – even if you think you were partly to blame.
- You have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start a claim.
- Your compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your financial losses and expenses. You can find out how much you can claim with our compensation calculator.
- You’re eligible to claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
- You can still make a claim if your injury was caused by a self-employed contractor.
- Your employer cannot terminate your employment for pursuing a claim.
- Whether you’re an employee, contractor, or temp, you can make a claim – even if you think you were partly to blame.
- the seriousness of your injury, and
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred.
- Seeking medical attention for your injuries
- Reporting the accident to your employer or supervisor
- Contacting a specialist solicitor
- Gathering evidence, such as witness statements and medical reports
- Negotiating a settlement with the responsible parties, or take the claim to court
- Falls from heights
- Explosions and fires
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Equipment and machinery accidents
- Burns and scarring
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Your employer or the oil rig operator
- Contractors working on the oil rig
- The manufacturer or supplier of faulty equipment
- Other workers who were responsible for the accident
Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.