Off-shore workers can often suffer catastrophic injuries due to off-shore accidents in their working environments. These off-shore accidents can also cause workers to lose valuable property, or even succumb to severe injuries. If you or a loved one have been involved in an off-shore accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our off-shore accident lawyers proudly serve the brave maritime workers and their families in the Chalmette area. Your attorney can handle your entire off-shore injury claim while you rest and recover at home.
Common Causes of Off-shore Accidents
Many off-shore accidents occur due to negligence on the part of one or more parties. For example, employers may fail to repair machines leading to operational failure during use. Manufacturers can also produce poor quality or defective parts, causing damages and injuries.
Another prevalent cause of off-shore accidents, especially in oil rigs, is explosions. These may result from unsafe drilling procedures or using damaged equipment. Others may be due to faulty electrical wiring, blowouts, or chemical spills. More causes of off-shore injuries are:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Transportation accidents
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Inadequate training
- Bad weather conditions
While many off-shore accidents happen due to carelessness, others may be due to poor working policies (this too, can be considered a form of negligence). For example, employers may require workers to operate for long hours without proper breaks. They may also fail to provide appropriate safety equipment.
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
When you sustain injuries in an off-shore accident, you can file a case against the party at fault using the Jones Act. This law allows injured seamen to recover compensation if the incident was due to the negligence of various parties. This could include your employer, vessel owners or officer, or a fellow employee. Your Chalmette off-shore accident lawyer can help you determine if you qualify for the Jones Act.
Since the process of filing a claim under the Jones Act is time-sensitive, you must take several precautions very quickly. First, get immediate medical attention for your injuries (keep copies of all bills and medical documentation). Next, you need to report the incident to your employer within seven days of the accident. This will provide a formal record of the incident. Your lawyer can go with you if you’d like.
When filing a claim under the Jones Act, you will need evidence of each injury you claim. Take photos before and after treatment. You will also need proof of negligence. Your lawyer can help pinpoint the at-fault 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 | ClientLongshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
If you sustained a disability due to an off-shore accident, but don’t qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you might claim damages using the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This federal law can help you recover medical care costs and other rehabilitative therapy expenses. While the Jones Act caters to seaman working onboard a vessel, the LHWCA covers maritime workers who build, repair, deconstruct, load, or unload vessels.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow a Chalmette Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Chalmette off-shore accident lawyer can assist in many ways as you pursue compensation. Your attorney can investigate your case to identify the party responsible for damages. Then they can investigate and find proof to establish and prove fault.
Gathering evidence for an off-shore accident claim may involve interviews and questioning. Your attorney could help you collect more details by talking to witnesses. They could also request various records proving negligence and showing that you sustained certain damages. More ways your lawyer could help include:
- Getting court orders to acquire video footage
- Working with your doctor to identify your injuries and the cost of treatment
- Advising you on legal matters
- Updating you about the case
- Communicating with other parties (like the insurance company and your employer’s attorneys) throughout the claims process
- Assessing non-economic damages
Some off-shore accidents may have limited evidence, especially if there were no recordings of the incident or eyewitnesses. Your attorney could identify alternative ways you may be able to prove your injuries. For example, they could work with a reconstructionist to determine each step leading to the accident.
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.
ClientDamages You Can Pursue After an Off-Shore Accident
You can pursue a broad range of damages when you file a compensation claim for an off-shore accident. These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income and wages
- Personal items damaged by the accident
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
- Reduced quality of life
An off-shore accident could severely harm your body and require expensive medical care. Your lawyer could help you seek reimbursement for various expenses such as:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Home nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Trauma counseling
- Medication
- Assistive medical devices
Another damage recoverable after an off-shore accident is lost career opportunities. Your Chalmette off-shore accident lawyer can determine if you missed out on lucrative chances such as a promotion or working on a significant project because of your injuries. They can then estimate the value of the damage and add it to your overall settlement amount.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we offer legal representation as you seek compensation for your off-shore injuries. Our attorneys understand the financial strain of an unexpected injury and work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay any legal fees unless we win. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case consultation.
