Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

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New Orleans OCSLA Lawyers | Help for Offshore Platform Injuries

Getting hurt while working on a fixed offshore platform way out in the Gulf is serious business. Because these platforms aren’t regular boats and are often in federal waters far from shore, accidents there have their own special set of rules under a federal law called the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

OCSLA mainly deals with oil and gas work out there. For injured workers, the most important thing it does is figure out which laws apply when you get hurt – usually the laws of the nearest state (like Louisiana) or sometimes federal maritime law. OCSLA also makes sure most workers hurt on these platforms get benefits similar to workers’ comp through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Figuring out if Louisiana law, maritime law, or LHWCA rules cover your injury under OCSLA is tricky, but it’s key to getting paid fairly. Lambert Zainey’s New Orleans maritime lawyers know OCSLA well. We’ve helped many workers hurt on offshore platforms in the Gulf, and we fight hard for them.

Injured on an Offshore Platform? Know Your Rights Under OCSLA.

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What is the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)?

Passed back in 1953, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) basically says the federal government controls the ocean floor beyond state waters. It manages oil and gas work out there.

For people hurt working on these offshore structures, OCSLA acts like a “rulebook” telling everyone which laws to use. Since these platforms are on federal territory, OCSLA points to either state law or federal maritime law for injury lawsuits. It also guarantees LHWCA (like workers’ comp) benefits for injured employees.

Where Does OCSLA Apply?

For OCSLA to cover your injury, it generally has to meet these conditions:

What is the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)?

This is the ocean floor under federal control, starting where state waters end (usually 3 nautical miles from shore, but sometimes 9 miles for TX/FL Gulf Coast). OCSLA applies to accidents on structures in these federal waters.

What Kind of Structures are Covered? (Fixed Platforms, Not Boats)

OCSLA applies to injuries on things stuck to the seabed, either permanently or temporarily, that are used for finding or producing resources like oil and gas.

Important: OCSLA usually does NOT apply to injuries happening on regular boats or vessels (like supply boats, crew boats, floating drillships) even if they are near a platform. Injuries on boats are usually covered by the Jones Act or other maritime laws.
Examples: Fixed production platforms, jack-up rigs when they are jacked up and sitting on the bottom, certain towers or floating platforms anchored firmly.

Does Your Work Connect to OCS Operations?

Your injury generally needs to happen because of, or while doing, work related to finding, drilling for, producing, or transporting oil and gas from the OCS. Most jobs done right on the platform fit this.

OCSLA Rules: Which Law Applies to Your Injury Claim?

This is where OCSLA gets tricky. It doesn’t have its own accident rules, but tells us which rules to use:

Usually: Law of the Closest State (Like Louisiana)

Most of the time, OCSLA says to use the laws of the closest state as the main rules for injury lawsuits (like if you sue another company that was careless on the platform). For platforms off Louisiana, this usually means Louisiana state law applies to things like proving fault and what damages you can get.

Sometimes: Federal Maritime Law Instead

In some special cases, if the accident has a strong connection to traditional sea activity (like maybe an injury caused directly by a boat hitting the platform, or during certain cargo operations involving a vessel), federal maritime law might apply instead of state law. Figuring this out takes careful legal work.

No Jones Act on Fixed Platforms: Remember, if you were hurt working only on a fixed platform, you usually don’t qualify for the Jones Act (that’s for seamen on vessels).

Always (Almost): LHWCA Benefits for Workers’ Comp

This is key: OCSLA guarantees that workers hurt during OCS operations are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for benefits from their employer. This means you can get:

Medical Care Paid: For your work injury.
Lost Wage Payments: If you can’t work.
You Can Still Sue Others: Getting LHWCA benefits from your boss does not stop you from also suing a different careless company (a “third party”) under the state or maritime law OCSLA points to.
No Fault Needed: You usually get these LHWCA benefits even if the accident wasn’t your employer’s fault.

OCSLA vs. Jones Act vs. LHWCA: Making Sense of It

Here’s a simple breakdown for offshore platform injuries:

Question	OCSLA (Which Law to Use for Lawsuits)	Jones Act (For Seamen on Vessels)	LHWCA (Workers’ Comp Part)
Where?	Fixed Platforms on OCS	Vessels (Anywhere)	Ports, Shipyards, OCS Platforms (via OCSLA)
Lawsuit Rules?	Usually State Law (like LA’s); sometimes Maritime	Federal Maritime Law (Negligence)	Generally No Lawsuit vs. Employer
‘Comp’ Benefits?	No Direct Benefits; Points to LHWCA	Maintenance & Cure	Medical & Lost Wage Benefits (No-Fault)
Who’s Covered?	Platform Workers for Lawsuit Rules	“Seamen” on Vessels	Platform Workers (& others) for Benefits

If a Jones Act seaman dies far offshore because their employer was careless, the family might have claims under both DOHSA and the Jones Act. Lambert Zainey knows how to handle these overlapping cases

Common Accidents on Platforms Covered by OCSLA

OCSLA rules often apply to injuries from these types of platform accidents:

Problems with platform equipment or machines
Falling from height (different levels, ladders, scaffolding)
Getting hit by falling items or swinging crane loads
Accidents during drilling, production, or maintenance work
Slips, trips, falls (wet decks, stairs, clutter)
Fires, explosions, blowouts
Problems with platform cranes or other fixed equipment
Exposure to harmful chemicals or gas

Why OCSLA Cases Need Special Lawyers

Figuring out OCSLA is tough. The mix of federal laws, state laws, and maritime rules makes it complicated. A lawyer without specific offshore experience might:

Get confused about whether state law or maritime law should be used for a lawsuit.
Not understand how Louisiana law works in an offshore case.
Miss finding all the companies that could be responsible.
Not know if OCSLA even applies.
Not handle the LHWCA benefit claim correctly alongside a lawsuit against another company.

Getting the law wrong early on can really hurt your chances of getting fair payment.

Why Pick Lambert Zainey for Your OCSLA Case?

When you’re hurt on an OCS platform, Lambert Zainey offers real advantages:

We Handle Everything: We make sure you get your LHWCA benefits while also going after full payment through any available lawsuits.
We Beat Big Offshore Companies: We have a history of winning against major platform owners, operators, and contractors
We Know Offshore Injuries: We’ve handled cases involving fixed platforms in the Gulf for decades.
We Understand OCSLA: We know how OCSLA works with state law, maritime law, and the LHWCA.
We Know Louisiana Law: Being based here, we know the state laws that often apply under OCSLA.

Common Questions About OCSLA Injuries

Almost never. Jones Act is for seamen on vessels. Fixed platforms usually aren’t vessels. Your case likely falls under OCSLA (using state or maritime law for lawsuits) and LHWCA (for benefits from your boss).

No. OCSLA is for the fixed structures. If you were hurt on the boat, even if it was tied up, your claim is likely under Jones Act (if you’re crew) or general maritime law.

Usually not for carelessness causing the injury itself. Under OCSLA, LHWCA benefits are typically your only remedy against your employer. But, you can sue other careless companies (third parties) working out there, or maybe the platform owner if they weren’t your employer.

OCSLA says to use the law of the nearest state. For most platforms in the central Gulf of Mexico, that’s usually Louisiana law.

It depends! LHWCA benefit claims have short deadlines (often 1 year to file, but only 30 days to report!). Lawsuits follow the deadline of the state law that applies (often 1 year in Louisiana) or the maritime law deadline (usually 3 years). Talk to a lawyer ASAP because these deadlines are tricky and strict!

Talk to Our Experienced New Orleans Offshore Injury Lawyers

Getting hurt on an OCS platform means dealing with a confusing mix of laws. Don’t try to figure it out alone. The offshore injury lawyers at Lambert Zainey know OCSLA and have the experience to protect your rights and go after all the money you deserve.

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800-521-1750
(504) 581-1750
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