In a tragic turn of events, two workers were killed Sunday, June 30, 2019 around 10 AM (CST), during a botched lifeboat training exercise at a Royal Dutch Shell’s Auger platform in the Gulf of Mexico. According to Shell, “the accident occurred Sunday morning during a routine safety exercise of the platform’s lifeboat launch and retrieval capabilities.”
Lifeboat Drills are Notoriously Dangerous…but also Preventable
Unfortunately, deaths from lifeboat/liftboat exercises are nothing new in the maritime industry. However, most of the time these deaths are preventable through following documented safety solutions.
Though the U.S. Coast Guard and the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) are still investigating this offshore accident, we suspect that they will likely find faulty equipment at fault, in which case Shell will absolutely be liable for these deaths.
How Can We Help You Get Through This?
These kind of injuries and situations are painful, stressful, and nerve-wracking. It can be difficult to know what to do at times and feel overwhelming trying to find answers. We hope to make your journey through this difficult time a little easier.
Does it cost anything to talk to an attorney?
Not at all. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options. We know you are seeking guidance and answers during this time, and we’d be honored to provide it to you.
If I hire you, would I pay for your services out of pocket?
Our clients do not pay for our services out of pocket, but instead, the fee is taken out of their settlement. If the case does not settle, our clients are not required to pay any fee or pay us back in any way. This is referred to as a “contingency fee.”
Resources for those Grieving the Death of a Loved One
We understand that your family is going through an incredibly difficult and heartwrenching time. We hope that the following resources will help guide you through this and provide you comfort and hope.
Grief & Support Resources
Financial Resources
What Can You Do if Your Loved One Was Killed Offshore?
Is Your Family Entitled to Death Benefits if Your Loved One is Killed Working Offshore?
Yes, your family may be entitled to death benefits under the Jones Act if you are injured offshore or killed while working at sea. Although seamen can receive maintenance and cure benefits if injured, there are many other damages that they or their families can claim if they sustain injury or are killed because of employer negligence.
In fact, many large awards have been paid for injuries or deaths at sea.
The Death on the High Seas Act provides compensation to the families and dependents of seaman and maritime workers who die as a result of negligence. The decedent’s wife, husband, parent, or child may file a claim under the stipulations of the Death on the High Seas Act.
If your significant other was killed at sea as a result of their employer’s negligence, your family may pursue death benefits under the Jones Act by suing your spouse’s employer. In cases involving the Death on the High Seas Act, the plaintiff is eligible to recover damages for losses and expenses associated with the death of his or her family member. If you believe you have a Death on the High Seas Act claim, contact the Louisiana maritime lawyers at The Young Firm. An experienced attorney will carefully evaluate your case and advise you of your legal options.
Death benefits can pay for:
It is up to the judge to determine how much compensation you or your family may receive. There is no limit to the amount of compensation, and punitive damages may also be available if willful gross negligence is found to be the cause of an injury or death.
