Every worker wants a safe working environment. Ideally, we should all be able to wake up, do our jobs, and go home safely. However, for offshore workers, there are a lot of inherent risks that can result in different types of injury.
Statutes of Limitations for Formalizing an Offshore Injury Claim
Offshore workers who seek out the services of an Alexandria offshore accident lawyer soon discover that there are limits on when they can file an injury claim.
- Filing under the LHWCA: When offshore workers suffer from a workplace injury, they have 30 days to report the incident to their employer and up to two years from the date of the offshore accident to file an injury claim. Failure to meet this limit can mean giving up their chances of recovering any benefits.
- Filing under the Jones Act: Seamen have up to three years after the accident to file an offshore injury suit against their employers, but must report the injury to their employer within seven days. Since they can stay on the sea for lengthy periods, the allowance ensures that they have time to seek legal help when they get back to shore. This requirement also ensures that claims can be verified and corroborated while the facts are still fresh.
