Offshore accident claims

Working offshore carries risks, but that doesn’t mean you should expect to be injured. If you've been injured and it wasn’t your fault, our offshore accident lawyers are here to guide you through every step, on a No Win, No Fee basis.

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Reviewed by

Jamil Mohammed

Solicitor

Additional content

Ross Smith

International Injuries Team Lead

Last Updated

22nd July 2026

Can I make an offshore accident claim?

You can make an offshore accident claim if you were injured while working offshore and your employer, or someone else, failed in their duty to keep you safe. Offshore environments carry a higher risk of serious injury than most workplaces, and the consequences can affect your health, your income, and your family life.

You may be able to make a claim if your injury was caused by a colleague’s mistake when handling equipment, or unsafe working conditions. Claims can also arise from faulty machinery or a lack of training. Your employer is required to provide you with effective personal protective equipment (PPE). If they fail in this duty and you are injured as a result, you may have a claim.

You could also have a claim if you suffer a fall from a height or are injured because of a poorly managed manual handling task. These are all situations where your employer had a legal responsibility to protect you and didn’t.

You don’t need to be certain that someone was at fault to speak to us. If you were injured and something didn’t feel right about the conditions or the way the work was managed, it’s worth having a conversation. We’ll listen carefully and give you an honest assessment of whether you have a case.

Example of an offshore accident claim

Imagine a worker on an offshore oil platform is seriously injured when a piece of heavy machinery fails because it hadn’t been properly maintained or inspected.

If the employer hadn’t followed the required safety protocols and the equipment was known to be faulty, this could form the basis of a valid offshore accident claim.

The worker may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, as well as for lost earnings, and the cost of any ongoing care they need.

Common offshore accident claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Replacing lost income and funding your recovery.

Offshore accident compensation is about making sure you have the financial security to recover properly and plan for the future. Serious offshore injuries can take you out of work for months or longer, and the costs of treatment and rehabilitation can mount up quickly.

Every claim is different, but compensation is designed to address the full impact of your injury. That includes what you’ve already lost, and what you may continue to face in the months and years ahead.

When we assess your claim we look at the complete picture. This means we look at your injury and your recovery, as well as your ability to work and the financial impact to you and your family. We also seek to address your wellbeing and recognise any pian and suffering. Our aim is to secure a settlement that genuinely reflects what you’ve been through and what you’ll need going forward.

Understanding the potential value

The value of your claim will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries. It also takes into account the support you may need as a result, along with how your life has been affected both in the short term and over time.

Understanding interim payments

If you’ve been seriously injured and are facing financial pressure while your claim is ongoing, it may be possible to secure interim payments before your case is settled. Interim payments are sums paid during the claims process and can help cover immediate costs such as medical treatment or lost income.

You shouldn’t have to wait until the end of your claim to access the support you need, and where interim payments are available, we’ll work to secure them for you as early as possible.

Specialist offshore accident solicitors

Our team specialise in complex offshore and international injury claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your offshore accident claim?

At Fletchers, our solicitors specialise in offshore accident claims, combining our legal expertise with a global network of legal partners, we work with genuine care for our clients. These cases can be complex because of jurisdiction and international regulations, which is why having the right team with the right experience matters. Our offshore work accident experts can guide you through the process at a pace that feels right for you.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist offshore and international injury solicitors with unrivalled experience in complex cross-border claims
Recognised in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500
Global network of legal partners to support claims wherever they arise
Proven track record of successful outcomes in high-value offshore and oil rig injury cases
Dedicated international injuries team, led by specialists in this field
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we’ve supported
No win, no fee, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

A serious offshore injury can disrupt your sense of security both financially and physically. There can also be a knock on impact to your relationships and your plans for the future. Many of our clients tell us that the uncertainty of not knowing whether they have a claim and whether they’ll be able to return to work are some of their biggest worries.

We know that making a claim against your employer can feel daunting. You may worry about how it will affect your job and your working relationships. The reality is that your employer is legally required to hold liability insurance, and in most cases any claim is handled by their insurer, not paid directly by the company. Making a claim should not put your employment at risk, and if it does, you may have additional grounds to take action.

Many of the people we support felt exactly as you do now; unsure where to start, and looking for someone they can trust to take on the hard work for them. That’s what we’re here for.

From your first conversation with us, we’ll listen carefully, explain your options clearly, and handle every part of the process on your behalf. We’ll keep you informed at every stage, and we’ll fight to make sure any settlement truly reflects the impact that this injury has had on your life.

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FAQs about offshore accident claims

Can I claim compensation if I have been injured offshore?

Yes. No matter which industry you work in offshore, your employer has a legal duty of care towards you. If they breach that duty and you are injured as a result, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

We’ll help you understand whether your circumstances give rise to a valid claim.

How much compensation could I be entitled to if I am injured offshore?

Every claim and every set of circumstances are different, so there is no set amount you could receive. The compensation figure takes into account a range of factors, including the type and severity of your injury, as well as the lasting effects it has on you.

We also look at the psychological impact and any lost income both now and, in the future. As there are many factors at play when valuing your claim, we’ll assess your full situation and be honest with you about what you might expect.

How long do I have to make an offshore accident claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your injury to bring a claim. However, in some offshore and international cases this limit may be shorter, depending on the jurisdiction involved.

This is why it’s important to seek legal advice as early as possible, so that no deadline is missed, and your claim can be properly investigated from the start.

Will I lose my job if I make a claim?

Making a personal injury claim against your employer should not affect your contract of employment. It is illegal for an employer to treat you differently because you have made a claim. If you are dismissed, or your working conditions become so difficult that you feel forced to resign, you may have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

It’s also worth knowing that in most cases the compensation is not paid directly by your employer; it is covered by their liability insurance, which all UK employers are legally required to hold.

Will my offshore accident claim negatively impact the company or my colleagues?

In the vast majority of cases, no. UK employers are legally required to hold employers’ liability insurance, which is specifically designed to cover personal injury claims made by employees.

The claim is handled by the insurer, not taken directly from the business. Your claim is unlikely to have a negative financial impact on your employer or your colleagues.

How much do solicitors charge for offshore accident claims?

At Fletchers, we handle offshore accident claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means you won’t pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful.

If your claim succeeds, our fee will be a pre-agreed percentage of your settlement. We’ll explain this clearly before you go ahead, so there are no surprises. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything.

What types of injuries can I claim for?

We support clients who have suffered a wide range of offshore injuries, including injuries caused by colleagues mishandling equipment, falls from height or at the same level, faulty or poorly maintained machinery, inadequate PPE, manual handling accidents, substandard training, and unsafe working conditions.

If you’ve been injured in an offshore environment and you believe your employer may have been at fault, it’s worth speaking to us.