Transocean to pay $4M to Worker Injured in Offshore Oil Rig Accident

A federal jury has awarded more than $4 million in damages to an Lafayette oilfield worker who was injured in an offshore rig accident.

Dan Averette filed a Jones Act lawsuit over a July 14, 2007 offshore accident that occurred aboard the Amirante, a rig owned by Transocean Enterprise Inc. and operated by Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc. At the time of the accident, Averette was employed by Frank’s Casing Crew and Rental Tools as a casing stabber. Averette was injured when the oil rig’s hydraulic basket malfunctioned while he was working in it.

The maritime accident left the 32-year-old man with several injuries, including permanent brain damage. He is unable to return to work cannot be left unattended. Averette will require fulltime 24-hour care for the rest of his life. He has a wife and a family who depended on his support.

The jury awarded Averette $4,091,867 from Transocean Enterprise Inc. The Jones Act damages will pay for his long term care as well as past and future medical expenses.