The maritime industry is known for being both adventurous and very dangerous. However, maritime workers aboard sea vessels and ships are not the only ones susceptible to work-related injuries. Off-shore workers on a platform or oil rig are also exposed to grave hazards and risks. Off-shore accidents can be common, but they can also be severe and sometimes fatal.
If you’re an oil rig or platform worker and have been hurt in an off-shore, work-related accident, a Crowley off-shore accident lawyer can help. After such an accident, your lawyer can collect evidence, identify all recoverable damages, prove negligence, and negotiate your settlement, so you can focus on resting and healing from your injuries.
Common Off-Shore Injuries
When off-shore accidents take place aboard a vessel or on an oil rig, the resulting injuries to the workers can be severe. Here are some of the most common:
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Head injuries, including concussions, and traumatic brain injury
- Crushed, broken, or fractured bones
- Frostbite or hypothermia
- Loss of hearing
- Chemical burns
- Lung damage
- Loss of limbs
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientDamages You Can Pursue in Your Off-shore Injury Claim
One of the main goals for your off-shore accident lawyer is to ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for the injury they caused. Your lawyer can help you seek compensation for all your medical bills and other damages. Damages are divided into two main categories, namely economic and non-economic. Economic damages are usually straightforward and may include:
- Money spent on medical care like medication, hospital bills, therapy and rehabilitation costs, mobility aids, and medical devices
- Money for anticipated future medical care expenses
- Income or wages lost during the recovery period
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot work for some time
- Vocational rehabilitation
Non-economic damages are not as obvious or clear-cut. Their purpose is to compensate for anxiety, emotional pain and suffering, and lack of enjoyment of life after experiencing a traumatic accident. Occasionally, you might be awarded punitive damages if the liable party had an intention to harm you. Your Crowley off-shore accident attorney can tell you more and answer any questions you may have.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientUnderstanding Off-Shore Accidents
Maritime workers are at a higher risk of illness, injury, and fatality than the average American worker. In addition, off-shore injury claims are covered by different laws than those applied to land-based workers. If you’re an off-shore worker based in Crowley and you get injured at work, an off-shore accident lawyer serving the Crowley area could guide you through the legal process of filing a successful personal injury claim.
There are several maritime laws that provide avenues to compensation for workers who suffer an injury due to an off-shore accident. An off-shore worker may qualify for compensation under the following:
The Jones Act
Off-shore workers covered by the Jones Act have the opportunity to sue an employer directly for injuries sustained at sea. To qualify under the Jones Act, the worker must meet the definition of a seaman. This means you must work on a navigating vessel and spend more than 30 percent of your time onboard. The damages must be from a work-related accident and must be the result of negligence. Your Crowley off-shore accident lawyer can help you pinpoint the responsible party and document evidence.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a workers’ compensation system established to protect workers in the maritime industry, such as dockworkers, harbor workers, shipping terminal employees, and shipbuilders. It covers workers who don’t meet the qualifications of being a “seaman” and wouldn’t qualify for the Jones Act. The LHWCA covers injured employees on duty on navigable waters or adjoining areas, including workers who repair, build, load, and unload vessels.
General Maritime Law
If you fail to qualify for compensation under LHWCA or the Jones Act after an accident, you may still be eligible to receive benefits under this law. General maritime laws, also referred to as admiralty laws, cover injuries sustained off-shore and can award maintenance and cure for employees working on or near water. A Crowley off-shore accident lawyer can tell you more and determine if you may be entitled to compensation.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientStatute of Limitations for Your Off-shore Injury Claim
The statute of limitations refers to the deadline to file a formal civil lawsuit or injury claim. Under the LHWCA, filing a personal injury claim must be done within two years of the accident date, and your employer should be informed within 30 days.
Under the Jones Act, you must file your off-shore injury lawsuit within three years of the accident date and your employer must be informed about the accident within just seven days. These deadlines are strictly observed and missing them could mean giving up your right to pursue any compensation at all. Your off-shore accident lawyer can make sure your case is filed within the mandatory deadlines.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientDetermining the Value of Your Off-Shore Injury Case
Your off-shore accident lawyer can determine the value of your injury claim by investigating and examining your case. When your lawyer calculates your claim’s value, he or she can consider past and expected future medical expenses, as well as:
- Your pre-injury salary (in a situation where you experience lost wages or income)
- Pain and suffering
- When or whether you’ll be in a position to resume work
- Property damage
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you’re a seaman or maritime worker from Crowley and were hurt in a work-related off-shore accident, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to talk to an off-shore accident lawyer. We understand that maritime law can be complex and injury claims can be challenging. Let our Crowley attorneys handle your claim or lawsuit so you can rest and focus on recovery. Call us today for a free case review.
