We often portray sailors and other off-shore workers in a romantic light. There’s an air of rugged charm and mystery surrounding them. The reality, however, is a little less glamorous than the tall tales. Ships can be hazardous places to work, especially for young people who are just getting their sea legs.
The dangers of being a seaman include falling from heights, working in high winds, and exposure to various other hazards. If you’re a seaman and you’ve suffered injuries while at work, an Andrew seaman injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation, navigating you safely through the murky sea of maritime law.
Common Causes of Maritime Accidents
Maritime law differs from land-based law because it involves navigating ships across oceans and seas. Successful voyages require knowledge of the tides and weather patterns which can affect navigation. Seamen can suffer many injuries onboard ships and oil rigs. Heavy machinery, storm systems, and human error can all play a part. Common maritime accidents include:
- Equipment failure
- Explosions or electrical fires
- Poor or absent training of crewmembers
- Lack of safety equipment
- Lack of following safety protocol
- Slip and fall accidents
- Long hours of physically demanding labor without proper breaks
- Not enough crew hired for the required tasks
- Improper handling of toxic chemicals
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Common Injuries for Seamen
- Loss of limbs: Seamen who work with large cranes or equally heavy machinery can be at risk for crushing injuries, which can entirely amputate limbs.
- Loss of hearing: Working around loud, constant noise, like the machinery required on rigs and some vessels can cause partial or complete loss of hearing.
- Frostbite and hypothermia: Hypothermia and frostbite can occur when seamen are exposed to extreme temperatures and weather conditions for long periods.
- Crushed, fractured, or broken bones: Heavy equipment required for off-shore drilling can put seamen at risk of broken bones, which can cause further internal damage if left untreated for any length of time.
- Lung damage: Inhalation of toxic airborne chemicals can cause permanent long damage to seamen.
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury: Slip and fall injuries often result in an impact on the head. These can result in anything from a minor headache to full-blown trauma.
- Repetitive motion injuries: All of the twisting, pushing, pulling, and lifting associated with loading and offloading vessels can result in this type of injury. While this may not seem quite as serious as some others on this list, repetitive motion injuries can cause pain long into the future, especially if left untreated.
- Burns: Burns can occur on any ship or oil rig, due to explosions, malfunctioning electrical panels, or even exposure to chemical spills.
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The Jones Act
Since typical workers’ compensation programs do not apply to seamen and maritime workers, special legislation has been created to provide avenues of compensation. The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, allows injured seamen the right to sue their employers directly for compensation after an off-shore accident.
Negligence must have played a part in your accident for it to qualify, but this could be the negligence of a coworker or even the vessel owner or manufacturer. Your Andrew seaman injury lawyer can help you pinpoint the at-fault party and hold them responsible.
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What Should I do After An Off-Shore Accident?
The moments and days following your accident can seem to go by in a blur, especially if your injuries cause you a lot of pain. However, there are certain actions that you can take immediately after an accident to help safeguard your health and your injury claim.
- Seek medical help: Your health is the utmost priority. Do your best to get professional medical care as soon as possible. If you are at sea when the accident occurs, you can call the Coast Guard to get you to shore.
- Report the accident to your employer: This should be done as soon as you are treated, if possible. Under the Jones Act, you only have seven days from the date of the accident to make this report, after which you give up your right to pursue compensation. Your lawyer can be present for this report if you wish.
- Gather evidence: Unless your injuries preclude it, take photos (or even video) of the accident scene. Also take photos of your injuries, before and after treatment. These can be invaluable to your lawyer and may be used as evidence in your claim.
- Keep copies of everything: Keep copies of the incident report, medical bills, and all medical documentation (x-rays, etc.). These could also become important evidence proving your injuries and their related expenses.
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Can I Afford a Seaman Injury Lawyer in Andrew?
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we know that unexpected injuries often come with unexpected medical bills. If you’re injured, you could be staring at a stack of medical bills, wondering how you’ll pay them, especially if you’ve had to take time off of work to recover. With all of this financial strain, you may be wondering if you can even afford a lawyer.
For this and many other reasons, our Andrew seaman injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means you won’t have to pay anything upfront. In fact, our lawyers don’t get paid unless they win for you. If we win and you receive compensation, your lawyers will take their fees out of a percentage of your total settlement package. That’s it. And if we lose, you don’t owe us anything.
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today!
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an off-shore accident, we can help you seek compensation. Contact our seaman injury attorneys in the Andrew area to start the injury claim process. Let us handle your case while you take time to rest and recover. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
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