Offshore accidents are a serious threat to anyone at sea. Whether those accidents happen during recreation or work activities, they often result in horrific injuries and death. When that happens, you can turn to Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for clear answers and effective advocacy in the pursuit of compensation and justice.
For more than two decades, our Ruston offshore accident attorneys have been tireless, trusted advocates for the injured. We know what it takes to craft strong, persuasive claims, and we have represented many victims, working diligently to help them secure full, fair recoveries.
Morris & Dewett has recovered millions in all types of offshore accident cases, including those that involve work injuries and wrongful death.
What Causes Most Offshore Accidents and Injuries?
The high seas are unpredictable and highly risky. Those who work offshore have the right to a safe working environment, regardless of whether they do their jobs on oil rigs, drilling platforms, barges, tugboats, cruise ships, or other watercraft. Employers in the oil, gas, and maritime industries have specific obligations to train and protect their workers to minimize the risk of offshore accidents, injuries, and death. Despite that, negligence causes maritime accidents far too often.
Explosions and Fires
Offshore workers routinely handle or come into contact with combustible, volatile substances. From drilling activities to transporting oil and natural gas, it only takes one mistake to trigger a massive explosion or uncontrollable fire offshore. Offshore explosions and fires can result from:
- Watercraft collisions
- Improper storage of oil or gas
- Failure to properly train offshore workers
- Failures to inspect or maintain pipelines, essential equipment, or sea vessels
- Other forms of negligence
Burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other catastrophic injuries can quickly harm dozens of workers when offshore fires and explosions happen. If these accidents sink watercraft or leave workers trapped on flame-engulfed platforms, the results can be deadly.
Toxic Exposures
Offshore workers may also come into contact with caustic industrial chemicals, cancer-causing asbestos, and other dangerous toxins. In some cases, it may take just one exposure to cause serious injuries; in others, routine exposure over time can result in devastating illnesses, like mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure. Equipment manufacturers, oil and gas companies, and their contractors can be liable for the harm caused by offshore toxic exposures.
Equipment Failures
Industrial equipment may not be designed or built to operate safely. Even if it is, equipment has to be properly maintained to continue operating as designed. Equipment failures can result from design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, and failures to maintain. When that happens, drownings, electrocutions, falling accidents, and equipment collapses can follow. Manufacturers, employers, contractors, and others can be responsible for the harm caused by equipment-related offshore accidents.
Other Offshore Accidents
Failures to safely operate watercraft or any equipment aboard them can also lead to offshore accidents. Whether these accidents occur on commercial fishing boats, cruise ships, barges, or other watercraft, they can cause catastrophic injuries including spinal cord injury or brain injury, and even death.
Our Ruston Office
1831 N Trenton St, Ste 2
Ruston, LA 71270
Open 24/7 for injured Ruston residents
Get directions →Offshore Accident Statistics
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement tracks offshore accident data. These numbers underreport the true incidence of offshore incidents because authorities are not required to track and report all such accidents.
What We Handle
Ruston Practice Areas
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Car Accidents Rear-end, intersection, and highway collisions across Louisiana. -
Truck Accidents 18-wheeler and commercial-vehicle wrecks governed by federal trucking rules. -
Motorcycle Accidents Serious-injury motorcycle crashes where bias against riders is common. -
Bus Accidents Transit, school, and charter-bus crashes involving public and private carriers. -
Slip & Fall Falls caused by wet floors, poor maintenance, and hidden hazards. -
Catastrophic Injury Brain, spinal-cord, amputation, and severe-burn injuries that change a life. -
Brain Injury Traumatic brain injuries with long-term cognitive and physical effects. -
Burn Injury Severe burns from fires, explosions, chemicals, and electrical contact. -
Wrongful Death Claims brought by families after a fatal accident or act of negligence. -
Construction Accidents Falls, struck-by, and equipment injuries on the job site. -
Offshore Accidents Rig, platform, and vessel injuries beyond the shoreline. -
Workers' Compensation On-the-job injuries and the benefits owed to injured workers.
Do I Have an Offshore Accident Claim?
Offshore accident claims must be filed by certain deadlines, and different laws can apply depending on whether you were working at the time of the accident and what type of work you were performing. You could have multiple claims. It is best to consult an attorney familiar with maritime law, work injury cases, and tort claims.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is decided on its own facts. See our full case results.
Can I Lose My Job or Be Blacklisted for Suing Over Offshore Injuries?
It is against the law for employers to fire you or blacklist you from being hired simply because you are pursuing your right to get justice via an offshore accident claim. If you are the target of retaliation for filing a claim, you may have additional legal claims.
Your Ruston Injury Attorneys
Founding partners Trey Morris and Justin Dewett lead every Ruston injury case Morris & Dewett takes.
When Should I Contact a Ruston Offshore Accident Lawyer?
As soon as possible. You have limited time to file a claim, and the at-fault parties could already be building a strong defense. Contacting an attorney quickly helps preserve evidence and positions skilled advocates to build your case.
What clients say
- ★★★★★
Morris & Dewett does things the right way!
They put their clients first in measurable and impactful ways.
- ★★★★★
Trey morris, Joe Odom the attorneys and Jaime the case manager are all great!
Ruston has a phenomenal team.
- ★★★★★
I hired Morris and Dewett back in November of 2025.
They helped me get through my hard times of being off work, stress, and worry. Anytime I had a question I could call and they always had an answer. Very nice and professtional people. Thank you Morris and Dewett for making this an easy process for me and my family.
- ★★★★★
Morris and Dewett and their team of attorneys and staff go above and beyond.
They always were there to support me and answer all my questions after a shoulder injury that included multiple surgeries. They are caring and compassionate and that goes a long way! Highly recommended!
- ★★★★★
Thanks Morris and Dewett for the excellent work you have done on my behalf.
I want to personally thank Sarah for her kindness.
- ★★★★★
First time being injured and needing a lawyer they where very helpful.
They answered my questions Id have very well. Highly recommend them.
Reviews reflect individual client experiences. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
How Much Are Offshore Accident Settlements and Compensation?
Your injuries and the type of claims you have impact compensation amounts. Broadly speaking, offshore accident claims can result in compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other losses. An attorney can give you case-specific answers in an initial consultation.