Unjury at work claim?

fairmorn308

Evening

3 days ago i hurt my back at work and been on light duties every since and due to my type of work ( offshore on oil rigs ) i went to the doctor on the rig for the last 3 days and being getting checked out etc and put on drugs etc.

1st it started off just spinal pain which he thought it was damage to the spinal colums in my back but now the pain has spread he also thinks its due to swelling on the nervs aswell on my spien.

The cause of the injury was due to pulling a locking device for the drill pipe which is meant to be used with 3 people as it has 3 handles but there was only 2 of us doing it all day. I know we shouldnt of done it but its not as simple as that. if we are told to do something we just have to get on and do it really. Also being out in Russia but on a British companies rig.

Am not sure if am liable for a claim or not?

orlao

Have you filled in the accident book yet? Most important thing to do if you might need to claim!

I know it's difficult when you're abroad but can you get to a healthcentre or something similar for a check up by an independent doctor?

The other thing is too check with the company doctor is this injury likely to be longterm or permanent.....it could just be "doctor speak" for a minor condition.....

If I remember correctly, oil rigs are one of the areas that have special H&S rules that are specific to them and these should be adhered to without exception(I'm assuming British Law applies to British rigs when they are offshore?) but the responsibility lies with both the operatives and the management so it won't help that you didn't follow the rules IYSWIM if it all becomes official....

IMO you need to

1. Sign the accident book (or equivalent)
2. Talk to your doctor in a bit more detail
3. Do a bit more research about specific H&S rules on rigs.....
4. In future, follow the bl00dy safety rules, they are boring but there for a good reason, not just for your health but everyone who has to work there....if your managers aren't following them...complain loudly in writing. If you don't and you injure yourself you are going to struggle to get compensation as companies as very good at "reducing their liability" and moving it back onto the poor s0d who's now injured. Sory, rant over now:o Hope you feel better soon

fairmorn308

1st of all i cant fill in the accident book cause i didnt complain about pain until the following day but thats another long story.

2nd thing is cause i didnt report it on the day of it happening then they dont clase it as a accident etc.

3rd easier said than done saying will follow the safety rules but when u got people wanting the job done u got to just do it really.

I know i was at fault for doing it but am still not sure if i can put a claim in tho but i did say to the bosses how i think i did it tho. No other reason for me doing it tho.
Its hard for him to say if its long term or permanent due to not able to give me a scan etc as there limited to what they can do out here tho. Cause we arent in british waters thats another tricky one when comes to HSE

McKneff

you can fill in the accident form even if it was the next day so dont let them fob you off. you may get better in time but these things have a way of biting yu in the bum 15/20 years down the line. Never say to anyone official that it was your fault. You were following instructions. lodge your compaint now if not you have 3 years to do it. Dont let the matter drop, they are bullying you

fairmorn308

well am going to wait until am off the rig and back home before i lodge a complaint with the company and also to see the outcome of my back cause i got to stay here for another week or so before i can go home early and dont want world war 3 to kick off while am still here tho

Conor_3

Only thing is that you'll have reduced the amount of any payout by doing a job with only two of you when you know it needed three.