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.
Offshore accidents happen, and the injuries offshore workers suffer can be severe. When disaster strikes, an Alexandria offshore accident lawyer can do a lot for an injured deckhand or offshore oil rig worker in need of help and advice.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we can help injured offshore maritime workers file for the compensation they need, navigating them through the complex seas of offshore law. If you’re a maritime worker who has been injured in an offshore accident, we could help you too.
Common Causes of Offshore Accidents
Disasters give no warning before they strike, and on offshore vessels and rigs, there are many things that can go wrong. For example, while there are many safety protocols designed to keep offshore workers safe on the job, they won’t help at all if they aren’t followed, or if crew members aren’t properly trained to use them. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of offshore accidents reported in recent years:
Explosions & Fires
Offshore oil rigs can be dangerous since daily operations often release lethal pollution into the air and water. In the wrong circumstances, these flammable substances can create explosions and fires that could cause serious physical harm to workers. Common injuries after offshore explosions and fires include serious burn injuries and even amputations that leave workers with life-long damage.
Slips & Falls
Workers on vessels contend with seawater as a simple fact of their job. Employers are advised to keep surfaces dry and put anti-slip skid features in place to reduce risk and protect workers from dangerous slip and fall incidents.
When employers neglect this duty or hire workers who ignore their responsibilities, workers can slip and fall with dangerous consequences. A slip and fall at sea could lead to bruising, broken bones, concussions, or even drowning.
Transport Mishaps and Malfunctions
The waterways form an integral part of the world’s transport system. As ships ferry cargo from one port to another, they battle against the forces of nature. Sailors using a gangplank or personnel transport basket must trust they will work properly as they use them. At sea, offshore workers always face mortal risks and dangers. A tornado or massive storm system can be the last thing a seaman faces before losing his or her life.
Seamen who survive accidents at sea are brave, but this doesn’t mean they have to fend for themselves. Employers bear a level of responsibility for the dangers their employees face while working for them. Consulting with an offshore accident attorney from our firm after an offshore incident can be a great way to discover your options for recovery and compensation.
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.
ClientFederal Laws That Protect Workers in the Maritime Industries
Laws are there to protect us. They ensure that our rights are respected and honored, ideally creating fairness for all. Workers in the offshore industry are protected by various federal and naval laws that cater to their unique needs when they get injured.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act covers everyone that considered a seaman. To qualify, you must work on a navigating vessel, and spend at least 30% of your time onboard. The Jones Act provides a way for seamen to sue their employer for damages. If you’re a seaman who’s been injured on a vessel, you could be entitled to compensation for damages to cover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
When offshore workers don’t work on vessels, they could be employed by construction companies, harbors, or oil rigs. These workers are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The U.S. Department of Labor introduced the LHWCA to protect maritime workers who have been injured and need compensation for medical bills and lost pay.
Understanding your legal rights can be challenging. Fortunately, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can explain all your options and help you recover the money you need and deserve from the liable party.
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 | ClientStatutes 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.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow Can an Alexandria Offshore Accident Lawyer Help Me?
We all have different levels of legal knowledge. If you choose to represent yourself in an offshore injury claim, you could discover that you are out of your depth against your employer’s attorneys and insurance evaluators. By hiring an Alexandria offshore accident lawyer to represent your interests, you are taking the responsibility and stress off of your own shoulders.
Some of the meaningful tasks your attorney could fulfill include:
- Evidence collection: Your attorney can work with investigators, witnesses, and even the police to create an extensive report.
- Negotiations: After the facts of a case are established, the attorney representing you can meet with your employer’s (or insurance company’s) legal team. The two sides can then start negotiations to determine a settlement for you.
- Litigation: In scenarios where opposing sides cannot come to an agreement, the case proceeds to court. Your attorney can represent you before the court, presenting arguments and evidence.
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.
ClientCall Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we recognize that offshore workers work hard to earn their living. To extend premium services to all seamen and offshore workers, we offer free consultations. When you’re in pain and upset, the last thing you want is the pressure of handling a full legal claim yourself. Let us take that pressure off your shoulders.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an offshore accident, our Alexandria lawyers can fight for you. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
