Many offshore workers commute by crew boat, helicopter or company-arranged transportation, often over long distances and in unpredictable conditions. Travel is a necessary routine part of offshore work. Unfortunately, a journey to and from an offshore job site can be just as dangerous as work performed on a platform itself.
Because travel risks are so closely tied to the job, an injury that occurs en route may qualify for significant protections and compensation. With that said, when an injury occurs during job-related travel, seeking rightful compensation can be a complex process. Texas maritime workers are covered by a mix of federal maritime laws that recognize travel as an inherent part of offshore employment.
The basics of coverage by the Jones Act
For workers covered by the Jones Act, travel injuries can be compensable if the trip at issue was work-related or required by an employer. This includes transportation provided or arranged by an employer’s company, shuttle boats moving workers between vessels or helicopter flights to offshore rigs. If the vessel or aircraft at issue was unsafe, improperly maintained or operated negligently, an injured worker may have a strong claim for damages.
Unseaworthiness claims may also arise if the vessel used for transport in an accident scenario was impacted by defective equipment, untrained crew members and/or conditions that made it unfit for its intended purpose. A single unsafe condition—such as inadequate handrails, unsecured cargo or malfunctioning navigation equipment—can trigger liability for employers.
For workers not covered by the Jones Act, other maritime laws, such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, may apply. These laws recognize that offshore employment often requires dangerous travel and help to ensure that injured workers receive medical benefits and wage replacement even when fault is not the primary cause of a work-related travel injury.
Travel injuries can vary widely, from falls on transport vessels to helicopter turbulence incidents, collisions at sea or accidents during transfers between boats and platforms. Because offshore travel often occurs far from emergency medical facilities, even moderate injuries can become serious quickly. When serious injuries develop as a result of work-related travel, offshore employees should not assume they’re not eligible for benefits.