Appellate Court Overturns Ruling in Fatal Offshore Accident

A ruling recently came down in a case involving a complicated corporate liability suit involving an offshore oil company. A worker aboard a jack-up oil rig off of the coast of Louisiana was killed in an accident involving a co-worker. An employee had unintentionally brought a handgun on board the rig despite regulations prohibiting firearms aboard the rig. The weapon inadvertently discharged causing another worker to be struck by the bullet. The worker died of the gunshot wound. Reports did not state precisely how a handgun was "unintentionally" brought aboard or the circumstances surrounding the accidental firing of the weapon but the surviving family of the worker that was killed brought suit against the oil rig company. A Louisiana district court initially found the company liable for damages in connection to the worker's death. While the ruling did not find that the corporation was negligent since they did have regulations forbidding firearms on board, it was ruled that the man's death came under vicarious liability as the worker was "acting in the course and scope of his employment." Speak with a knowledgeable offshore injury lawyer if you lost a loved one while they were working on an oil rig or other maritime vessel.

Oil Rig Company Found not Liable for Damages

The corporation filed an appeal soon after the district court's ruling. The Fifth Circuit Court in Louisiana overturned the previous ruling and stated that the company was not liable in the accident. The attorney representing the deceased's family argued that such a ruling was parallel to stating that the man was not acting in the course and scope of his employment. There was no information as to whether or not the worker's family will take further legal action.

Get Answers from an Offshore Injury Attorney Today

Maritime injury accident cases can be very complicated and it requires a skilled attorney that understands what it takes to show what party is liable. Contact us at Arnold & Itkin as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation on your case. We have demonstrated our competence time and again in proving that there was negligence or other circumstances which led to serious injuries or death. Our dedicated legal team understands this area of law thoroughly and have helped clients get the compensation they deserve after suffering an injury on an oil rig, oil platform, fishing boat, shrimp boat, container ship, cargo ship, barge or other vessel. We also represent clients with cases involving accidents in ports or harbors.