Offshore accidents

A worker approaching an oil rig

While working offshore can be rewarding financially, it brings with it higher risks than many other jobs. If you’ve been injured while working offshore, be it on a rig, platform, vessel, wind turbine, or during offshore transit, you may be able to claim compensation under Scottish law.

At Allan McDougall Solicitors, our experienced, friendly team helps you deal with the fallout from offshore accidents. We operate with no-win, no-fee funding arrangements, and help you recover financial stability and focus on recovery while we focus on your claim.

What is an offshore accident claim?

An offshore accident claim can be made when a worker suffers an injury from working on, going to, or coming from offshore installations. These claims can be brought when negligence, unsafe practices, or breaches of statutory safety duties have caused the harm.

Common examples of offshore accidents include:

Slips, trips, and falls
Falling objects during lifting or crane operations
Machinery accidents, such as drilling, winches, or moving parts
Fire and explosions linked to electrical faults
Helicopter or vessel transfer injuries
Fatigue-related accidents.

Each of these can have serious and lasting consequences, and each is often preventable. Since they generally come about due to inadequate safety procedures, poor training, or defective equipment, all of them can usually be claimed for.

Scottish law recognises the fundamentally risky nature of offshore work, and regulations like the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 and reporting duties under RIDDOR 2013 place strict responsibilities on employers. If any of these aren’t followed and you’re injured, you’re probably able to claim compensation under Scottish law.

How are offshore accident claims paid in Scotland?

Most offshore accident claims are covered by insurers acting on behalf of employers, operators, or contractors. They reflect the real impact any harm has caused to your life, such as:

Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
Loss of income
Specialist medical treatment you need and have paid for regarding rehabilitation
Care and support from professionals or family
Travel and expenses linked to your treatment or recovery
Future loss of pension or career opportunities
Adaptations you need, such as mobility equipment or home modifications

Scottish courts use the Judicial College Guidelines for these kinds of claims and may use other cases as reference points for compensation. They also apply the personal injury discount rate when calculating financial losses.

When can you make an offshore claim?

According to the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim, or three years from when you first became aware of your injury and its cause. However, getting legal advice quickly is highly advised.

What to do after an offshore accident

To give your claim the best chance of success, you should carry out the following steps:

Report the incident to your supervisor and make sure it’s recorded correctly, including under RIDDOR if relevant.
Seek medical treatment immediately and make sure everything is accurately documented.
Take photos, collect incident reports, and take witness details to call upon for your claim.
Keep records of all your financial losses accrued as a result of your injury.
Seek legal advice as soon as you can.

How we can help

Our personal injury law team has decades of experience helping people across Scotland with offshore accident claims.

Bringing extensive expertise and a trauma-informed approach, we ensure your claim is managed with sensitivity and professionalism, and you understand it at every stage. We also have clear funding options, with no-win, no-fee arrangements for offshore accident claims.

We guide you all the way from your first consultation with us to settlement or court proceedings, and handle negotiations with insurers on your behalf to achieve the maximum compensation available.

Contact our specialist personal injury law team

If you’ve been injured while working offshore, contact the experts at Allan McDougall solicitors as soon as you can. We’re here to provide clear and practical advice and support you through every stage of the claims process.

Contact us

Email us
Call our personal injury claims team free on 0808 560 0872
Arrange a callback by using our enquiry form

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