Gulf Coast Offshore Helicopter Injury Claims

The fatality rate for the average worker in the U.S. is 3.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. Among oil and gas workers, that rate is 27.1 deaths per 100,000. Of oil and gas workers killed from 2003 to 2010, 75% of fatalities were the result of helicopter accidents.

Workers who survive a helicopter accident often suffer severe injuries, including:

Because the cause of offshore helicopter injuries is often negligence on the part of one or more parties, the victims of these accidents and families of those killed are entitled to pursue damages against those responsible.

Complexities arise in offshore aviation injury claims when determining which laws apply. If the crash is found to be related to maritime activity, the Jones Act may apply. This federal maritime law protects workers injured while in territorial waters of the United States, less than 12 miles from shore. Accidents that occur more than 12 miles from U.S. shores may fall under the realm of the Death on the High Seas Act.

If the accident is found to be unrelated to maritime activity and occurs less than 12 miles from shore, the applicable state laws regarding personal injury and wrongful death claims likely will apply.