The Maritime industry is essential to the Louisiana economy. Seamen endure long hours, strenuous labor, extreme conditions, and hazards you cannot find in any other industry. Off-shore accidents are increasingly common. They continue to cause injury, paralysis, and even death to seamen and other maritime workers.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an off-shore accident, you could be eligible for compensation. A Henry seaman injury lawyer from our firm can take care of your entire case, guiding you safely through the injury claim process.
Common Off-Shore Accidents
Off-shore accidents may occur on an oil rig or drilling platform out at sea. Sometimes they involve vessels like tugboats, commercial fishing boats, ferries, cruise ships, or even big oil tankers.
When a crew member falls sick or gets injured due to the vessel’s unseaworthiness, the vessel’s owner is liable for these injuries. General maritime law dictates that the vessel’s owner must provide a safe vessel for the crew to work on. Here are some of the most common maritime accidents:
- Onboard slips and falls
- Falling overboard
- Electrical fires
- Crane accidents
- Broken mooring lines or hoisting equipment
- Welding accidents
- Explosions
- Vessel collisions with permanent structures or other vessels
- Equipment failure or malfunction
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Common Seamen Injuries in Off-Shore Accidents
Seamen face many life-threatening injuries in the event of an accident. Some of the more common ones we see in our line of work with seamen include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Bone fractures and breaks
- Head injuries, including concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Lung damage from toxic chemical inhalation
- Vision loss
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Internal bleeding and internal injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Hearing loss from exposure to loud, constant noise from heavy machinery without proper hearing protection
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The Jones Act
Maritime law recognizes the dangers of working at sea and protects the rights of injured seamen with laws such as the Jones Act. A seaman is defined as a maritime worker who devotes 30 percent of their working time contributing to a vessel in navigation.
You must file your Jones Act lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident, and you must report the injury to your employer within just seven days. These deadlines are taken very seriously and missing any of them can mean giving up your right to pursue compensation.
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Who Is Liable in an Off-Shore Accident?
When seamen are hurt or their property damaged in an off-shore accident, numerous parties may be held liable. In some instances, multiple defendants may be named in a single lawsuit, making it difficult to track all of the parties that may have contributed to the accident.
Your seaman injury lawyer can gather the facts of the accident, determine who was at fault and then pursue them for compensation. Here are some of the most commonly responsible parties in maritime accidents:
- Negligent workers: A maritime accident can be caused by another seaman’s negligence. The Jones Act is strict on employers’ responsibility to provide a safe vessel and even requires them to fire any workers who might pose a threat to other workers.
- Vessel owners:Vessel owners are responsible for providing a safe and seaworthy vessel for their seamen. If an accident occurs due to a lack of proper vessel maintenance or non-compliance, the vessel owner is liable to the accident victims.
- Parts manufacturer: If a vessel causes a maritime accident because of defective parts, the company that made them is liable to the victims.
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What Types of Damages Can My Lawyer and I Recover?
An off-shore accident can have serious effects on your health, mental well-being, and finances. It’s important to seek compensation and protect yourself from these adverse effects. There are several types of damages you and your lawyer can recover in a seaman injury suit, including:
- Medical bills: This includes hospital bills, costs of any special medical procedures, medication, and estimated future costs of ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages: This includes wages for the time you are unable to work because of your injuries.
- Living expenses: When the accident results in life-changing events, such as amputation, you need to be compensated to adjust to your new life.
- Loss of Potential Income:A serious injury or permanent disability can reduce your capacity to earn over your lifetime.
- Pain and suffering: Maritime accidents are often serious. If the injuries sustained are excruciatingly painful and take a long time to heal, you could pursue this damage.
Every case is different. Your Henry seaman injury lawyer can determine which damages apply to you. Even if you think your injury or loss is minor, you might still be able to receive some compensation.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we are here to help. Our seamen injury lawyers understand the life-changing impact off-shore accidents have, and how long they can take to heal from.
Let our attorneys handle your compensation claim, while you focus on rest and healing properly at home. If you or someone you know is involved in an off-shore accident, call us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Henry seaman injury lawyers.
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