Sea vessels are highly technical machines and require proper training and expertise to operate properly. Collisions, equipment malfunction, bad weather, or even human error can lead to off-shore accidents. This can leave seamen and other maritime workers with serious injuries.
If you’re a seaman and were hurt in an off-shore accident, an attorney from our firm can help. A Carencro seaman injury lawyer can guide you through your injury claim from start to finish.
Common Injuries Seamen Sustain in Off-Shore Accidents
Most jobs involve some nominal degree of risk. However, a seaman’s daily work involves dealing with heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and complex tools, which can expose you to a greater risk of fatal accidents. Examples of common accidents we see in our work with seaman include:
Slips and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents for seamen because sea vessel decks are often slippery from the water and oil rig platforms can suffer from oil spills. A slip or a fall can lead to a concussion, traumatic brain injury, fractured or broken bones, or even death.
Chemical Burns
Some chemicals required to run a sea vessel properly can be extremely hazardous. Without proper training and the necessary protective clothing, it can be easy for a seaman to mishandle the chemical resulting in chemical burns.
Repetitive Use Injuries
A seaman’s work may require performing tasks repetitively over a long period. Many maritime jobs require hours of twisting, pushing, pulling, and heavy lifting. Without proper safety training and adequate rest, there will always be a risk of overextending yourself and sustaining injuries through Repetitive Motion Disorder (RMD). Some of the body parts that are at risk of sustaining RMD injuries include your neck, back, spine, hips, legs, and feet.
Falling Overboard
Seamen are at risk of hypothermia or even drowning if they happen to fall overboard. This can happen when improperly handling or loading cargo or if huge waves buckle the ship. Unfortunately, contacting emergency rescue teams for rescue efforts can be difficult for sea accidents because of the remote nature and technical aspects of sea navigation.
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.
ClientThe Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that allows injured seamen to sue their employers for compensation after an off-shore accident. To qualify, you must work onboard a navigable vessel, contribute to its essential function, and spend at least 30 percent of your time onboard.
Under the Jones Act, you must report the accident to your employer within just seven days of the accident. You have up to three years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. A Carencro seaman injury lawyer can tell you more and determine whether you qualify.
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 | ClientIs It Worth Hiring a Carencro Seaman Injury Lawyer?
Even though you can pursue a seaman injury claim alone, distinguishing between maritime laws that govern seaman injury claims and those for regular personal injury claims is critical. Maritime law is complex and ever-changing. You could unknowingly negotiate for less compensation than your case is worth or accidentally waive your rights to compensation altogether. These would be simple human mistakes with very costly outcomes.
A seaman injury lawyer serving the Carencro area could use the facts and evidence surrounding your accident to build a compelling case. There are many different ways that a seaman injury lawyer could help you, including:
Investigating Your Case
Your lawyer can study photos of the scene, video surveillance footage, police reports, or safety data to find out more about the accident. Your lawyer can speak to eyewitnesses and use everything they’ve learned to determine who the at-fault party is and what evidence proves it.
Assessing Your Case’s Qualifications
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and the Jones Act have strict requirements that you must fulfill before pursuing compensation for your injuries. Your seaman injury lawyer can determine which legal path is right for your case specifically, and handle all the necessary legal procedures properly.
Calculating Damages
The compensation you can pursue will depend on the extent and severity of your injuries. Your lawyer can also consider medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of future earning capacity (among many other things) to calculate an appropriate compensation package that covers everything you qualify for.
Advising You on Your Legal Options
A seaman injury lawyer can analyze your case to find laws you can use to pursue compensation. Your lawyer can also offer solid legal counsel and advice throughout your case, and keep you updated on any changes or developments.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientDo You Have to Go to Court for a Seaman Injury Case?
Only a small number of seaman injury cases end up in court. In most cases, the seaman injury lawyer, the employer’s legal team, and the insurance company will negotiate until they settle on a fair compensation deal. Some of the reasons that your seaman injury case may proceed to court include:
- The insurance company’s failure to negotiate in good faith
- The employer’s or insurance company’s failure to admit fault for your injuries
- Failure to agree on the best compensation package
If this happens, your Carencro seaman injury lawyer can represent you in court and present the evidence and facts of your case.
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.
ClientHow Can I Afford a Lawyer in Carencro?
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand how devastating an off-shore accident can be, physically, emotionally, and financially. It can be overwhelming staring at a stack of medical bills and not knowing how to pay them. Having to take time off work to recover (and missing out on that income) can increase this stress.
This is one of the reasons our seaman injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. You won’t pay any upfront fees, beginning with your free consultation. If we win your case, and you receive a settlement, your lawyers will simply take their fees out of a percentage of your total compensation package. If we lose, you don’t owe us anything.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we proudly serve the brave seamen and maritime workers of the Carencro area. Let our attorneys handle the work of your injury claim while you rest and focus on recovering from your injuries. Call to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
