Seamen and other crew members face work-related risks every day, which can result in serious accidents. The nature of work on the sea can be very dangerous, due to the heavy machinery required and simply being out on the water.
If you’re a seaman and have been involved in an off-shore accident at your place of work, you could be entitled to compensation. An Arnaudville seaman injury lawyer from our firm can help. Our lawyers can pursue your compensation while you rest and recover properly at home.
What Should a Seaman do After an Accident?
If you are a seaman who’s been involved in a work-related accident, there are several things you can do following your off-shore accident that can help both your health and your injury claim:
Seek Medical Attention
Your priority after any accident should be getting medical attention. There is a high chance that your injuries are more severe than you can immediately tell. Lots of injuries don’t surface until later, or can seem much more minor than they really are. Also, keep copies of medical reports and bills. These are vital to filing a seaman injury claim as it establishes a foundation for seeking compensation. Your lawyer can use these as evidence.
Notify Your Employer
Your employer should cover your medical bills and maintenance benefits after sustaining injuries on board. However, most employers require that you fill out specific forms before giving any benefits. Usually, these forms require details on the accident, your injuries, and medical costs. Be careful when filling these out as you could inadvertently give up your right to further compensation. Your lawyer can review these documents, help you fill in the necessary information, and be present when you submit them to your employer.
Keep Copies for Evidence
Your Arnaudville seaman injury lawyer can gather most evidence, but you can do a few things to help too. Keep copies of medical bills and documents (x-rays, reports, etc.), the accident report, and police report. These can all be used for evidence. Also, take photos of your injuries, both before and after treatment. These photos could also be used as evidence if necessary.
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The Jones Act for Seaman Injuries
Under the Jones Act, a seaman is a person who spends at least 30 percent of their time working onboard a ship or any other navigating vessel, contributing to the overall mission of the vessel. An oil rig can definitely count as a Jones Act vessel depending on whether it has any onboard navigation. Your Arnaudville seaman injury lawyer can tell you more and determine whether your case qualifies for seaman injury claim compensation.
The main goal of the Jones Act is to allow seamen to sue negligent employers whose actions (or inaction) have resulted in their injury. Before seeking any compensation, the Jones Act stipulates that you must prove the employer’s, vessel owner’s, or crew’s negligence resulted in your accident. Your employer is responsible to provide safety measures and protocol for the work environment, and ensure that the vessel is seaworthy and a safe place to work.
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What Kinds of Damages Can I Pursue?
Remember that, as an injured seaman, the Jones Act entitles you to seek compensation for damages similar to those of a regular personal injury claim. They can include:
- Current and future medical expenses (emergency and outpatient care, surgery, prosthetics, or prescription medications)
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
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What Are the Deadlines for My Seaman Injury Case?
The statute of limitations (deadlines) for the Jones Act are strictly enforced. If you miss any of these deadlines, you could very well be giving up your right to seek compensation.
Under the Jones Act, you have up to three years from the date of your accident (or the date your injuries appeared) to file your lawsuit. You have only seven days from the date of the accident to notify your employer about it.
A seaman injury lawyer serving the Arnaudville area can help you file all of the appropriate paperwork on time, and save you from making costly mistakes.
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How Can an Arnaudville Seaman Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Maritime law is notoriously complex and ever-changing. Working on an injury claim alone can be overwhelming, especially if you’re injured. Your employer could try to exploit your own legal inexperience and offer you a meager amount of compensation.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand the dynamics of seaman injury cases and can fight to uphold your right to pursue fair compensation. Our seaman injury lawyers have experience working with employers and insurance companies in Jones Act cases and know which laws apply to your claim.
Our Arnaudville seaman injury lawyers can prioritize your recovery by giving you time to rest while they handle your case’s entire legal process from evidence gathering, presentation, and negotiation to representing you in court when necessary. Additionally, our attorneys can provide responsive legal care, giving you frequent updates on your case and addressing all of your legal concerns.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you’re a seaman with injuries resulting from a work-related accident, our seaman injury attorneys can help. We proudly serve the Arnaudville area and are waiting for your call. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
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