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Steve Kherkher - July 24, 2026
The offshore marine industry has celebrated declining injury rates over the past few years as evidence that workplace safety is improving. However, a newly released report from the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) suggests those numbers may not tell the full story.
The report serves as a sobering reminder that while many offshore work injuries may be prevented through improved safety practices, workers face life-threatening hazards every day. It also reinforces the importance of identifying and mitigating the hazards most likely to result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
At Kherkher Garcia, our maritime and offshore injury attorneys have represented workers and families affected by offshore accidents, vessel incidents, explosions, equipment failures, and other serious workplace injuries. When safety is not the industry’s highest priority and workers suffer the consequences, our team can help.
According to the IMCA 2025 Annual Safety Statistics Report, overall workplace injury rates declined across the global offshore marine contracting industry. Yet despite the encouraging trend, the number of fatal workplace accidents more than doubled compared to the previous year.
The IMCA report analyzed more than 1 billion working hours submitted by 167 offshore marine contractor members across the world. Most notable among its findings:
According to IMCA, focusing solely on traditional statistics can create a false sense of security if companies fail to address the hazards that are most likely to cause death or permanent disability. Instead, the organization encourages employers to prioritize preventing serious injuries before they happen.
The IMCA report identified several recurring hazards responsible for many of the industry’s most serious incidents. These hazards include:
These hazards are well known throughout the offshore industry. However, the IMCA noted that many fatal and life-altering accidents occur during ordinary, everyday work, not only during unusual or high-stress operations. That finding highlights the importance of consistent safety planning, supervision, and hazard recognition.
Offshore work remains one of the most physically demanding and risky occupations in the world. When accidents occur, workers often suffer catastrophic injuries. Some of the common life-altering offshore injuries include:
Injured offshore workers require emergency evacuation, specialized medical treatment, and extensive rehabilitation. They may require months, or even years, away from work. For families, the financial and emotional consequences can be overwhelming.
While every incident is unique and investigations remain essential, many fatal offshore accidents involve hazards that can often be identified and prevented before tragedy occurs. Some of these hazards include:
The IMCA report emphasizes that preventing catastrophic injuries requires more than simply reducing minor incidents. It requires identifying the events most likely to cause harm and addressing them before they happen.
Offshore workers who suffer an injury on the job may have important legal rights. Their rights and options depend on their occupation, employer, and where the injury occurred. Depending on the circumstances, injured workers and their families may qualify for legal actions under laws such as:
These laws can provide legal remedies that differ significantly from traditional workers’ compensation systems.
Because offshore injury claims involve complex questions about vessel ownership, employer responsibilities, contractors, and maritime law, determining the appropriate legal path requires an attorney with experience in this area of law.
For more than three decades, Kherkher Garcia has represented workers injured in some of the nation’s most dangerous industries. Our attorneys have helped workers injured during offshore drilling, maritime transportation, petrochemical manufacturing, refining, and other industrial operations.
We understand the unique challenges in offshore injury litigation, including cases involving:
We work with experts to investigate complex incidents and pursue accountability when negligence contributes to a worker’s injuries.
Offshore workers perform physically demanding tasks around heavy equipment, cranes, vessels, electrical systems, hazardous materials, and changing weather conditions.
Common causes include falls, equipment failures, lifting and rigging accidents, electrical hazards, vessel incidents, dropped objects, explosions, and fires.
It depends on the worker’s employment status and the circumstances of the accident. Some offshore workers may have legal claims under the Jones Act, General Maritime Law, or other maritime laws.
Depending on the circumstances, injured offshore workers may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages.
A thorough investigation can help determine whether equipment failures, unsafe work practices, inadequate training, or other forms of negligence contributed to the accident.
Every offshore worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift. While the IMCA report shows progress in reducing offshore workplace injuries, the increase in fatal offshore accidents demonstrates that serious hazards remain.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while working offshore, understanding your legal rights is an important first step. Kherkher Garcia has decades of experience representing offshore workers, seamen, maritime employees, and families affected by catastrophic workplace accidents. Our attorneys understand the unique nature of maritime law and we are committed to helping injured workers pursue the compensation they may be entitled to.
Contact Kherkher Garcia today for a free consultation to discuss your offshore injury or maritime accident claim. Our experienced maritime attorneys are here to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you move forward toward the best recovery possible. Start now by calling 713-333-1030, or by submitting our online contact form.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
