Wind energy accident claims, whether onshore wind farms or offshore wind projects, involve a complex overlap of maritime law, energy regulation, construction liability, personal injury, products liability, and insurance coverage. The law firms that successfully handle these cases, especially catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, are a relatively small and specialized group. Choosing the right legal team is critical to securing the best legal services after a wind energy accident, particularly as offshore wind expands along the U.S. West Coast.
Onshore vs. Offshore Wind Energy Claims
The type of law firm best suited for a wind energy accident claim depends heavily on whether the accident occurred onshore or offshore. Historically, onshore wind energy accidents were more common in the United States. However, wind energy has rapidly migrated offshore, and that trend continues today as Washington, Oregon, and Northern California prepare for significant offshore wind expansion over the next decade.
Traditional claims were often handled by firms specializing in construction claims. These firms were concentrated in Texas, where most onshore wind production takes place in America. As offshore wind energy continues to grow, maritime and admiralty law firms are more involved in wind energy accident claims due to the unique legal framework governing offshore work.
Offshore Wind Energy Accident Claims
Only a small percentage of total offshore wind accidents occur in US waters. Based on aggregated data from 2015-2024 (G+, CWIF, and studies like those in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews), here’s where most accidents cluster:
| Region / Sea Area | Estimated % of Global Incidents | Key Countries / Farms | Common Incident Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Sea (Europe) | ~70-80% | UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands | Vessel collisions with turbines, worker falls during maintenance, lightning strikes, and blade failures | Highest due to mature infrastructure (e.g., 737 UK incidents in 2016; 81 UK worker injuries since 2014). G+ data shows Europe dominating 2023’s 1,679 incidents. Denmark/Netherlands saw doubled injury rates in 2024. |
| Baltic Sea (Europe) | ~10-15% | Germany, Poland, Sweden | Ship collisions, cable damage, and electrical fires | Fewer but notable (e.g., 2019 MV Raba collision off Rügen, Germany) vessel incidents. |
| Asia-Pacific Waters | ~5-10% | China, Taiwan, South Korea | Construction mishaps, typhoon damage, and worker evacuations | Rapid growth (China leads in new capacity), but underreported. G+ added India/Finland data in 2024; 865 global offshore accidents in 2019, many Asian. |
| U.S. Atlantic Coast | <5% (rising) | U.S. East Coast (Massachusetts, planned sites off New York, Virginia, Maryland | Early construction incidents, Blade drops, vessel strikes | Limited operations (first farm operational 2024), but increasing (e.g., 2021 blade disintegration off the US East Coast caused pollution). |
| Other / Global | <5% | Australia, Ireland (Irish Sea), scattered pilots | Rare fires, sabotage risks | Includes emerging sites, e.g., 2021 Irish Sea blade drop. Geopolitical risks (e.g., North Sea cable sabotage) are noted but not major yet. |
While only 5% of accidents take place in American waters, that number is expected to grow as we catch up in the offshore energy race.
Legal Services to Call After an Offshore Wind Accident
After an offshore wind energy accident involving crew transfer vessels, service operation vessels, cable-lay ships, jack-up rigs, or turbine platforms, injured workers need a highly specific combination of legal expertise.
The combination of legal services involved in an offshore wind accident claim could include:
- Maritime lawyer: Determines whether the injured worker qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act or is covered by general maritime law. Handles claims involving unseaworthiness, maintenance and cure, and punitive damages.
- Energy and renewables regulatory lawyer: Represents workers during BOEM, BSEE, Coast Guard, and flag-state investigations while preserving civil claims. You need counsel who can represent you in the regulatory probe without waiving privilege in the civil case.
- Trust attorney: Large settlements (especially with minors or long-term disabilities) are almost always structured with annuities and special-needs trusts.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, offshore wind operations involve higher occupational risk due to vessel interaction and offshore construction environments.
“Offshore wind presents unique occupational safety challenges due to its reliance on marine transport, offshore construction, and complex mechanical systems.”
To obtain the best legal services after a wind energy accident, injured offshore workers should speak with attorneys experienced in maritime law before providing statements to investigators or insurers.
Onshore Wind Energy Accident Claims
Based on aggregated data from 2009-2025 (CWIF, OSHA case files, state energy reports, and news compilations), here are the locations where most onshore accidents occur. Percentages are approximate, reflecting reported incidents (fatalities + non-fatal failures/fires):
| State | Estimated % of U.S. Incidents | Installed Capacity (MW, 2024) | Key Farms/Areas | Common Incident Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ~25-30% | 42,000+ (largest globally) | West Texas (e.g., Roscoe, Horse Hollow) | Worker falls, blade failures, fires | Leads in jobs (26,000+) and turbines (15,000+); multiple OSHA-cited fatalities from electrical/height hazards. High exposure due to scale. |
| Iowa | ~15-20% | 13,000+ | Central Iowa (e.g., Adair, Story counties) | Turbine fires, structural collapses | Frequent fires (e.g., 3 in Cedar County, 2010-2023); farmer lawsuits over crop damage. 2nd in capacity; lightning common. |
| Oklahoma | ~10-15% | 10,000+ | Panhandle (e.g., Woodward County) | The tower collapses, blade throws | Recent 2025 collapse at unnamed farm; high winds exacerbate failures. 3rd in capacity; growing incidents with expansion. |
| Kansas | ~8-12% | 8,000+ | Central Plains (e.g., Republic County) | High-wind collapses, maintenance falls | 2024 tower collapse during storm; rural sites increase response delays. 4th in turbines; underreported non-fatal cases. |
| California | ~5-10% | 6,500+ | Altamont Pass, Tehachapi | Fires, wildlife collisions (indirect accidents) | 2024 brush fire from overheated turbine burned 200+ acres; historical eagle deaths (10,000+ raptors since 1980s) lead to worker safety probes. |
| Oregon | ~5-8% | 4,000+ | Columbia Gorge (e.g., Biglow Canyon, Klondike) | Lightning strikes, transformer failures | State tracks ~20 incidents (2007-2022), including the 2007 fatal collapse (1 dead, 1 injured); Gilliam/Morrow counties hotspots. |
| Nebraska | ~3-5% | 3,000+ | Western Plains (e.g., Plum Creek Project) | Equipment failures during maintenance | 2025 dual fatality fall (2 dead) at Winside turbine; Orsted-owned sites under scrutiny. |
| North Dakota | ~3-5% | 4,000+ | Northern Plains (e.g., Rugby) | Blade cracks, operational halts | 2011 blade falls at Iberdrola farm; voluntary reporting limits data. High winds but fewer turbines. |
| Missouri | ~2-4% | 2,500+ | Northern (e.g., Atchison County) | Multiple collapses | 2024 Vestas turbine failures (3 incidents) kept the Ameren farm offline; emerging hotspot. |
| Other (e.g., Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico) | ~10-15% | Varies (1,000-3,000 each) | Midwest/Plains farms | Fires, electrical shocks | Scattered, e.g., New Mexico oil leaks, Illinois worker injuries. Under 5% each. |
Texas accounts for nearly a third of all onshore wind accidents by itself. OSHA reports over 120 preventable deaths annually on American onshore wind farms. While total accidents are increasing, the rate of accidents has dropped as modern technology (like sensors on turbines) has made onshore energy work safer.
Legal Services to Consider After an Onshore Wind Accident
- Catastrophic injury lawyer: Serves as lead counsel. Knows wind-industry defenses (workers’ comp exclusivity, independent-contractor arguments, premises liability limits) and how to beat them.
- OSHA workplace specialist: OSHA almost always investigates fatalities and serious injuries. Separate counsel is required so statements to OSHA don’t destroy the civil case. Many plaintiff firms now have in-house former OSHA investigators.
- Product or premises liability attorney: Blade breaks, brake fails, yaw system malfunctions, or tower buckles, or defective claims based on farmland, are handled by this counsel.
- Insurance coverage attorney: Wind farm owners and turbine manufacturers carry massive general liability, umbrella, and builders ‘ risk policies. You need someone who can force quick policy-limit tenders.
In onshore wind, you almost always start and finish with one highly experienced plaintiff catastrophic-injury firm that already has the other services built in or on retainer. Unlike offshore cases, you rarely need maritime/admiralty lawyers, P&I clubs, limitation actions, Jones Act, DOHSA, or OCSLA expertise. The fight is almost entirely state-court negligence, products liability, and Texas non-subscriber law.
To get trustworthy legal advice that’s specific to your situation, contact us for a consultation.
Consult with Top-Rated Maritime Attorneys About an Offshore Accident
Interested in consulting with a maritime lawyer about a wind energy accident claim? BoatLaw’s top-rated maritime attorneys serve injury and wrongful death claims for workers in Washington, California, Alaska, Oregon, Arizona, and Florida.
Contact us online or call us at (800) BOATLAW to schedule.
Industry Safety Statistic: According to OSHA, more than 120 fatalities occur each year on U.S. onshore wind farms, with falls and electrical hazards as leading causes. Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. The information on this website is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney. Legal outcomes and laws can vary by jurisdiction, and only a qualified lawyer can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
Nicholas J. Neidzwski is a trial attorney who handles maritime and personal injury litigation. Appearing for plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and other jurisdictions. Nick’s litigation experience includes the successful resolution of various Jones Act, general maritime, and product liability cases on behalf of many different individuals. Nick was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers 2016 through 2024. Learn more here.
