While every job has risks, few occupations are as hazardous as those in the maritime industry. Injuries that affect Lafayette maritime workers are common, but unlike many other employees in Louisiana, maritime workers are not generally protected by traditional workers’ compensation policies.
Fortunately, these workers have alternative legal options to help them financially recover from their injuries. If you were hurt while working in a maritime setting, a Lafayette maritime injury lawyer can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
At Laborde Earles Law Firm, LLC, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers have recovered over $1 billion for injured victims. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to find out how we can help.
How a Lafayette Maritime Injury Attorney Can Help
When you are fighting the compensation you need to recover from a maritime injury, you need someone on your side who knows the law. While every case is different, here are some of the ways we can help.
Accident Investigation
Our maritime injury lawyers serving Lafayette can investigate your accident to see if negligent or reckless behavior caused your injuries. We can review evidence, including photographs and video footage, to determine what happened.
If your offshore accident lawyer can identify, from the evidence, who is liable for your accident, we can build your case and seek to hold all responsible parties accountable.
File for Compensation
We can assess your economic damages and arrive at a fair compensation amount. Even if your actions contributed to your injury, you may still have a compensation claim. Generally, an injury victim simply needs to demonstrate that an injury happened during maritime work or while on the clock.
Paperwork and Deadline Management
Hiring a maritime accident attorney from Laborde Earles can save you time. While we seek compensation on your behalf, we manage all case communications and negotiate with all involved parties. We will also keep you abreast of any changes in your case and explain any laws that affect your case.
Affordable Representation
We encourage you to reach out to us to learn more during a free consultation. Our attorneys work on contingency. We aim to lower barriers to securing legal representation with this payment arrangement.
When you become our client, our personal injury attorneys start on your case with no upfront fees or expenses from you. If you receive compensation, our fee will come from that award.
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.
ClientShould You File Your Claim Under the Jones Act?
Maritime workers are one of the few classes of employees that are not generally protected under traditional workers’ compensation laws. Instead of requesting compensation through a workers’ compensation insurance policy, maritime workers may file a personal injury lawsuit directly against their employer.
46 U.S.C. 30104, also known as the Jones Act, establishes this right. This Act states that “seamen” are authorized to file civil lawsuits against their employers for injuries sustained while working on a maritime vessel.
How to Qualify
The term “seamen” includes any individuals whose jobs normally require work on or around vessels that travel over navigable waters, including rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Individuals may be asked to demonstrate their service on a vessel to file a lawsuit under the Jones Act. A Lafayette maritime injury attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help workers confirm their employment so they may proceed with a potential lawsuit or pursue compensation.
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 Benefits
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law administered by the United States Department of Labor. It generally applies to workers injured while loading or unloading a vessel or those who participate in the construction and repair of ships.
Unlike most workers’ compensation services, the LHWCA also allows injured employees to choose their doctors and medical providers. The LHWCA often acts as a mediator to resolve claim disputes between employers and injured workers.
This allows them to discuss issues and voluntarily come to mutually agreeable decisions. If disputes cannot be settled this way, Lafayette workers’ compensation lawyers must request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Available Compensation
With the help of a maritime attorney, injured maritime employees, harbor workers, and longshoremen may rely on this law for protection and provision after a workplace accident. Financial compensation for economic damages under this law may include:
- Medical care expenses
- Future medical bills
- Compensation for lost wages
- Rehabilitation expenses
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCommon Types of Maritime Injuries
Depending on their positions, maritime workers could be exposed to various dangerous conditions, including heavy machinery, moving objects, or slick surfaces. As a result, maritime accidents are unfortunately common.
Accident victims may endure a wide range of severe injuries, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Fatal accidents
If you have suffered an injury listed above or any other injury, a Lafayette maritime injury attorney can help you fight for the compensation you need.
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.
ClientFiling Your Case Within State Deadlines
Injured workers need to be aware of the filing deadlines under the LHWCA. An accident claim must be filed using Form LS-203 with the United States Department of Labor within two years of the injury or accident. Waiting until after this deadline has passed will likely strip the injured worker of their right to financial compensation.
Third-Party Liability Claims
In addition to receiving state or longshoreman and harbor workers’ compensation benefits, maritime employees may be able to file a claim against a third party for their negligence.
An attorney from our firm can help you identify the party responsible for your maritime accident and hold them accountable. Third parties can include the manufacturer of machinery or tools related to an injury or even the vessel owner if they are not your employer.
What Sets Laborde Earles Apart from Other Firms in Lafayette?
When you hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you know you’ll receive a high standard of legal care. We’ll answer questions you have about the legal process and our firm in particular. Our team members remain available around the clock to respond to calls and emails. Communication is paramount when handling a maritime injury case.
We don’t receive a fee unless we win for you, so it’s in our interests to present the strongest possible case.
Case Results Obtained By Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Maritime injuries can prevent you from earning an income. Your injuries may also saddle you with significant medical expenses. When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer for your case, you need to be confident they can get the job done.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has a strong record of verdicts and settlements, including:
- A $23 million wrongful death judgment
- A $17 million trial verdict
- A $10.4 million recovery
- A $7 million judgment
- Several other multi-million-dollar judgments and settlements
We make no financial promises to our clients. However, our personal injury lawyers in Lafayette promise to fight for the recovery you deserve.
Work with a Lafayette Maritime Injury Attorney Today
We take immense pride in every case we handle. Our firm knows how tough maritime workers are and how crippling a serious injury can be. Our team will provide the legal representation you and your loved ones deserve.
Our Lafayette maritime injury attorneys handle each case with empathy and urgency. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation that helps you get your life back on track. We value our clients’ words, and when they have special requests, we do our best to honor them.
Injured maritime workers can hold their employers directly responsible for their losses. Though filing a lawsuit may seem daunting, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
