Off-shore injuries are a common, yet frightening issue in Jefferson Parish. Employees on oil rigs, platforms, and water vessels are often at risk due to their working environment, which can include extreme weather, heavy machinery, and other hazards.
If you have sustained personal injuries and property damages in an off-shore accident, you might be entitled to compensation. A Jefferson Parish off-shore accident lawyer can help you with your compensation claim every step of the way.
Common Causes of Off-Shore Injuries
Jefferson Parish off-shore accident injuries are caused by various issues, often negligence. One common cause of physical harm in these environments is slip and fall accidents. These can arise from spills, stray cords, and slippery decks.
Another prevalent cause of off-shore injuries is exposure to various harmful chemicals. Such exposure may cause skin burns, eyesight loss, lung damage, cancer, and organ damage. More causes of off-shore injuries include:
- Explosions or electrical fires
- Equipment malfunctions
- Transportation accidents
- Lack of safety equipment
- Lack of adherence to safety protocols
- Defective machine parts
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The Jones Act and Liability
If you are a seaman who has sustained injuries in a Jefferson Parish off-shore accident, you can file a claim using the Jones Act. This federal law allows you to sue your employer directly for compensation. The first step you should take in your Jones Act claim is reporting the incident. Under the Jones Act, you have just seven days to do this (you then have up to three years to file your lawsuit).
Under the Jones Act, you must prove that another party was liable for the accident. A Jefferson Parish off-shore accident lawyer could help you determine the responsible party and establish negligence when investigating your case. Your lawyer could study photos and video footage of the scene or talk to eyewitnesses.
To qualify for the Jones Act, you must work on a navigating vessel and spend more the 30 percent of your working time onboard. An oil rig or platform can count if it has some form of navigation.
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The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
For maritime workers who don’t qualify for the Jones Act, there’s the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA provides benefits for injured maritime workers who perform their duties on or near navigable waterways, including places like wharves, piers, docks, or shipping terminals.
Under the LHWCA, you have 30 days from the date of the accident to notify your employer of the incident, then you have up to one year to file your injury claim.
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Damages You Can Recover After a Jefferson Parish Off-Shore Accident
You may seek various damages when you sustain injuries in a Jefferson Parish off-shore accident. Your lawyer can help determine the settlement amount based on the extent of your injuries and the impact they’ve had on your life.
A Jefferson Parish off-shore accident can affect your life in many ways. An attorney can help you seek compensation for different pain and suffering injuries. These can include:
- Medical expenses, including treatment, surgery, medication, rehabilitative therapies, corrective procedures, and continued care
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Partial to complete disability
- Pain and suffering
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Wrongful Death Damages After a Jefferson Parish Off-shore Accident
Some off-shore accidents can cause fatalities. If you’ve lost a loved one in a Jefferson Parish off-shore accident, you could pursue various survivor’s benefits in a wrongful death claim. Some recoverable damages in such a case are:
- Pain and suffering
- Final medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Lost income and wages
- Funeral and burial expenses
An off-shore accident attorney serving the Jefferson Parish area can answer any questions you may have, tell you more about recoverable damages, and gently guide you through the legal side of this difficult time.
How a Jefferson Parish Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Jefferson Parish off-shore accident lawyer could help you in a broad range of ways. First, your attorney could gather all facts regarding your case and support them with the necessary evidence.
Other ways a lawyer can help include:
- Negotiating with insurance companies and your employer’s attorneys
- Proving each sustained injury
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Getting court orders to obtain video surveillance footage
- Keeping you updated on developments in your case
- Identifying the liable parties
- Evaluating recoverable damages
- Representing you in court if a settlement can’t be reached
At each stage of the process, a Jefferson Parish off-shore accident lawyer can help you determine the proper course of action. They could evaluate the viability of each option and all the risks involved. Your lawyer can answer all your questions, give solid legal counsel, and advise you on what to do next.
Can I Afford a Jefferson Parish Off-shore Accident Lawyer?
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand that unexpected injuries often come with unexpected medical bills. On top of being in pain, you could be facing a looming financial crisis. It can be hard to know where to turn when you really need help.
This is one of the reasons our off-shore accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront. Instead, if we win and you obtain compensation, your lawyer will simply take his or her legal fees out of a percentage of your total settlement package. If we lose, you don’t owe us anything.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
A Jefferson Parish off-shore accident lawyer from our firm can help you seek compensation for your injuries. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help. Let our attorneys handle the stress and work of your injury claim while you rest and recover at home. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
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