Maritime workers face dangers every day, all day while on the job. The hazards vary, but they can occur aboard vessels, in the shipyard, or at sea. Heavy machinery, slick surfaces, and malfunctioning equipment can cause injuries that could become a potential negligence claim. If you or a loved one is recovering from a work-related maritime injury, a Jennings maritime injury lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation.
We will investigate your accident and determine how negligence led to your injuries. From there, we will use evidence to build your case and seek compensation from the liable party. We are ready to review your accident and your next steps during a free consultation today.
We will Handle Your Jennings, Louisiana Maritime Claim
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers provides support and guidance for your personal injury. We provide comprehensive legal services, taking care of each phase of your case so that you can recover without worrying about:
- Investigating your accident to determine what happened and what caused your injuries
- Naming all liable parties in your accident
- Establishing how negligence occurred on liable parties’ part
- Gathering evidence that supports your account
- Explaining state and federal maritime laws that apply to your case
- Filing all case paperwork on time and managing case communications
- Meeting all key deadlines, including the statute of limitations
- Calculating your economic and non-economic damages
- Evaluating potential settlement offers you may receive
- Regularly updating you on all case developments
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.
ClientYou Don’t Have to Pay Us to Start on Your Case
The legal team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers works on contingency. This means that we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. We understand that money can be tight as clients recover from their injuries. We believe you should have the legal recourse you need to recover the compensation you are due.
If you want to pursue financial recovery, our Jennings maritime injury lawyer can review your case and discuss your next steps with you. We will take care of everything for you, giving you time back in your schedule so you can take care of yourself and your family.
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 | ClientOverview of Federal Laws That Protect Maritime Workers’ Rights
Federal laws give maritime workers and their families avenues to compensation if a workplace injury or fatality occurs. These include:
The Jones Act
Fortunately, The Jones Act covers maritime workers when at sea. This legislation establishes that maritime workers can bring a lawsuit against their employers or other parties if they suffer an injury due to negligence while employed. Per the act, any worker on a seafaring vessel is a maritime worker and meets the definition of a “seaman.” Under this federal legislation, a complainant must sue no later than three years from the injury date.
Filing a lawsuit is an intimidating process. The procedure can be difficult for a layperson to navigate. Our Jennings maritime injury lawyer will walk you through the process and explain every step so that you are prepared and know what to expect.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
If workers were loading a vessel, their case would fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This federal law applies to maritime employees who work on land and suffer injuries while working on vessels. This includes loading and unloading them and building or fixing them.
A claimant may be entitled to recover:
- Compensation for lost earnings
- Costs for past and future medical treatment
- Costs incurred during rehabilitation
They also may be able to choose their doctor, which other compensation packages may not offer.
The Death on the High Seas Act
Under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOSHA), the family of a maritime worker who has died at sea is entitled to claim compensation for negligence. The late worker must have suffered fatal injuries in waters than 3 nautical miles off the coastal U.S. If the case meets these requirements, the family can file a lawsuit against a company or individual.
They must show how another party, such as the decedent’s employer, was liable for negligence that caused their relative’s death. As United States Code 46 § 30303 outlines, claimants can recover only measurable out-of-pocket (pecuniary) expenditures. They would not cover pain and suffering or loss of companionship, which are damages awarded in other kinds of wrongful death cases.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhen Should I Seek Legal Advice?
If you are a maritime employee and had an accident while working, you are entitled to seek legal compensation for the injury and its subsequent consequences. An accident may mean medical bills, lost income, and other losses, and each warrants compensation if a lawyer can establish liability against the employer, shipyard, or another liable party.
A maritime injury in Jennings could mean a long period of managing pain and other hardships while recovering from a workplace accident. We encourage you to seek legal advice as soon as possible after your accident. Different filing deadlines apply depending on the claim you file. If you hire us, we can examine your case to see how much time you have to file your lawsuit.
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.
ClientCall Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
If you suffered a maritime injury in Jennings, Louisiana, and want to explore your legal options, we will explain how we could help you with your case when you call. There’s no need to handle an injury claim on your own. Maritime cases can be complex, especially for people who are healing from serious injuries. A lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can take the case off your hands, saving you time and costly claim errors.
It can help to have legal representation that can make the process easier for you and your family to manage. Contact us at (337) 777-7777 for your free consultation today.
