Working for a maritime company poses many risks and injuries can be common. A maritime injury can turn your life upside down, and as a result, you may not be able to work. These accidents can be caused by many different things, from equipment malfunctions to human error and negligence.
Maritime law provides the injured party with a chance of recovery when they are injured on the job. When a maritime accident occurs, a Branch maritime injury lawyer can help.
Causes of Maritime Injuries
The following are some possible causes of maritime injuries:
- Working for Long Hours
Long working hours pose a risk of maritime injuries. Maritime workers often work for extended periods. As a result, they are prone to developing back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint problems, and even foot problems. Long working hours can also lead to exhaustion and fatigue. Any one of these issues can be a factor in a maritime accident.
- Work-Related Stress
Working for long hours, taking on an excessive workload, and other factors can cause work-related stress. Extreme stress can cause you to feel physically sick, and can also affect your overall mental state. Onboard a ship, continuously pushing, pulling and loading can cause stress-related injuries.
- Negligence of Management and Employers
Negligence can often be a cause of maritime injuries. Negligence may happen when employers fail to provide adequate training for employees, either verbally or visually. Managers who neglect to give warnings or correct unsafe working conditions can cause an injury.
- Equipment Malfunctions
Injuries can also occur when your employers are unwilling to provide you with proper equipment. The equipment you use on the job could have a variety of safety issues, even if it is brand new. Employers can be negligent if they do not adequately maintain their equipment or replace equipment that is already damaged and rendered unsafe for the worker.
For example, working with an unsafe ladder may cause an injury to the worker climbing it, or even someone standing nearby. Maritime injuries can also be caused by managers and supervisors who fail to properly train their employees on safety rules and regulations, and how to handle new equipment.
- Dangerous Working Conditions
Dangerous working conditions are often a factor in maritime injuries and deaths. These conditions can include hot and cold weather, extreme exposure to heat or cold, lack of personal protective equipment, and improper lighting.
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 was created to compensate maritime workers injured on the job. This law was designed to help pay for medical expenses and lost wages for those who qualify. To qualify under the Jones Act, you must be a seaman who spends at least 30% of your time onboard a navigable vessel and work onboard in a professional capacity. To file a claim, you must submit the following items:
- Proof of your maritime employment, and status as a seaman, such as a ship-issued ID card
- Proof of injury incurred while working
- Proof that your injury was due to your employers’ negligence
It’s also important to know the statute of limitations regarding the Jones Act. You have three years from the date of the accident to file your claim.
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 | ClientThe Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that provides compensation to maritime workers not covered under the Jones Act. This can extend to dockworkers, longshoremen, harbor workers, shipbuilders, and workers at shipping terminals, as long as they work near or adjacent to navigable waters.
The LHWCA can provide many financial benefits to maritime professionals injured at work, including loss of wages while you were unable to work. The LHWCA can also provide medical compensation to workers who have sustained injuries. This money will pay for medical treatment, medicine, and rehabilitation needed to heal from injury.
The statute of limitation for the LHWCA is different than that of the Jones Act. Under the LHWCA, you must file within two years of the time of the accident, and the accident must be reported to your employer within 30 days.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow Can a Maritime Injury Lawyer Help?
Maritime injury lawyers have experience in maritime legal cases. A lawyer who knows all of the complex maritime laws surrounding your injury claim can help you navigate the legal process. The lawyer may:
- Offer legal advice
- Organize paperwork
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court and administrative hearings
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.
ClientContact a Branch Maritime Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a maritime injury at work, contact a Branch maritime injury lawyer to see if you are eligible for compensation. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we are ready to help you. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay legal fees unless you win. Trust us to let our experience work for you. Contact us today at (337) 777-7777.
