Offshore workers have a significant role in driving the country’s economy. However, as an offshore worker, you can face a lot of risky situations on the job. If you’ve suffered an injury due to an off-shore accident at work, you may be in pain, under stress, staring at a stack of unexpected medical bills, and not know where to turn.
A Catahoula off-shore accident lawyer can help. An attorney from our firm can take the stress of your case and see it through to the end. Your lawyer could do all of the hard work of your case, so you can rest and recover properly at home.
Your Legal Options After an Off-Shore Accident
Maritime law is quite different from the laws that cover land-based workers. An off-shore accident lawyer can navigate the complexities of maritime law and use it to strengthen your case. The federal statute that covers your off-shore injury is determined by where and how you work.
The Jones Act
According to the Jones Act, an injured seaman can bring a lawsuit directly against their employer. However, the injuries must have occurred as a result of the employer’s negligence. You also have to be considered a seaman to file a claim under the Jones Act.
To be a seaman you must work aboard a vessel on navigable waterways (an oil rig counts as a vessel as long as it has some form of navigation). You must also have spent 30 percent of your time on board the vessel. A Catahoula off-shore accident lawyer can examine your case to see if you satisfy the requirements of a seaman.
The Jones Act provides you with three years to file a claim for your injuries. You must also report the incident to your employer within just seven days.
Conducting Investigations into Your Jones Act Claim
Bringing a lawsuit under the Jones Act requires you to prove that your employer was negligent, resulting in your accident. You may not know where to start. A Catahoula off-shore accident lawyer can help with this. A lawyer can conduct investigations into your off-shore accident.
For example, your company likely keeps comprehensive documentation on the operation of the vessel. Your lawyer could get access to these logs and then evaluate them to see if the correct safety measures were put in place. Thus, these records could help shed light on any of your employer’s past negligent actions.
Inspecting the scene of your accident can also help your lawyer uncover facts. Eyewitness reports from other off-shore workers who were there at the time of the accident may also give insights into the events of the accident.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that adheres to the no-fault system. It provides benefits to offshore workers injured on the job, without considering who was at fault for the accident. The LHWCA covers maritime workers who wouldn’t be considered seamen and who would not qualify for the Jones Act.
If you work on or near navigable waterways, the LHWCA may apply to you. Some of the workers covered in the LHWCA include those who build, fix, load, and unload vessels. To know if the Longshore Act applies to your off-shore accident, you can ask your attorney.
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Ways a Catahoula Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Whether you file for compensation under the Jones Act or the LHWCA, you will need to fill out paperwork. Making a simple, human error in this process can harm your case and end up being very costly. An off-shore lawyer can help you complete the necessary paperwork correctly and file it all on time.
You will need to notify your employer of your offshore injury shortly after it occurs. Your off-shore accident lawyer can help ensure you give the notice of the personal injury within the required period and be present when you report if you wish.
Your Catahoula off-shore accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and your employer’s legal team on your behalf. Your lawyer could also work with your doctors to determine the extent and severity of your injuries and the potential cost of treatment to add to your settlement amount.
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Recoverable Damages in a Catahoula Off-Shore Accident Case
Some damages are easy to quantify. They include the cost of medical care, the value of your lost wages, and lost future earning capacity. To help prove your economic damages, keep all accident-related bills and medical documents.
Other damages are more difficult to measure. These are non-economic damages. They can include compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. An off-shore accident lawyer can identify which damages apply to your case. They can also help you calculate the value of these damages.
Sometimes, an off-shore accident may lead to the death of a family member. You and your family can select a representative from our firm to file the claim on your behalf. You could be entitled to loss of companionship, loss of consortium, funeral expenses, and final medical costs. An off-shore accident lawyer serving the Catahoula area can gently guide and counsel you through the legal aspects of this difficult time.
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Reach Out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve been involved in an off-shore work accident, you may be entitled to compensation. An off-shore accident attorney from our firm can explain the legal options you have and help you pursue them. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers we do not charge upfront fees for our services. We only get paid if we win your case. Call us today to schedule a free consulation.
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