Injured oil worker awarded $15 million for barge accident injuries

A former oil field worker who was left paralyzed by an on-the-job accident has reached a $15 million settlement with his employer.

The victim was a lead rigger for Longnecker Properties, Inc. He was injured nearly four years ago when he worked on a salvage project run by Wild Well Control, Inc. for Newfield Exploration Company. He was helping lift pieces of pipe from a storm-damaged oil platform that was nearly 100 feet deep when a pipe being lowered onto a barge fell on him. The rigger had warned supervisors that the barge was overloaded.

The settlement will covers the victim’s substantial medical costs. He has undergone several surgeries, suffers from painful bedsores, and requires daily care.

Working on the Gulf of Mexico is dangerous and there is always a risk of life-changing injury. The Jones Act exists to protect those maritime workers who are injured while working at sea.  If you have been injured while on-the-job offshore, contact the maritime attorneys at The Young Firm of New Orleans to learn more about your rights.