The maritime industry, while a boom in Louisiana’s economy, contains many hazards and dangers to those working in it. The risk of off-shore accidents and personal injury is a risk that maritime workers face every day simply doing their jobs. Many of these brave workers live right here in the Lake Charles area.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an off-shore accident, you could be entitled to compensation. A Lake Charles maritime injury lawyer can help you with an injury claim and provide solid legal guidance every step of the way.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act, also called the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal law that allows injured seamen to sue their employer directly for compensation. If you’re a seaman who has suffered injuries in an off-shore work accident, you could file a claim against your employer based on this policy.
However, you must take various steps and meet the specific requirements. Before filing a Jones Act lawsuit, you should report the incident to your employer. Under the Jones Act, you only have seven days to do this after your accident. Your lawyer can be present for this if you wish. After receiving medical care, some other precautions you should take include:
- Capture images of your injuries, before and after treatment
- Get a detailed medical report
- Request a copy of the accident report
- Keep copies of all documentation, medical bills, etc.
Remember, only seamen qualify for the Jones Act. This means you must work onboard a navigable vessel and spend at least 30 percent of your time onboard. A Lake Charles off-shore accident lawyer can help you determine if you qualify for the Jones Act and answer all the questions you have about your case.
For a free legal consultation with a off-shore accident lawyer serving Lake Charles, call (337) 777-7777
The Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
If you are a maritime worker who doesn’t fit the requirements of a Jones Act seaman, you can still claim compensation for your off-shore accident injuries. Your attorney can use the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) to seek reimbursement for damages sustained when working on or near navigable waters. The LHWCA covers harbor workers, dockworkers, shipbreakers, some oil rig workers, and those employed in the loading and unloading of vessels.
Lake Charles Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
How a Lake Charles Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Lake Charles personal injury accident lawyer can help you in many ways as you pursue compensation. Some ways they can help include:
- Informing your insurer about the accident
- Securing any footage of the incident through a court order
- Filing your injury case within the statute of limitations
- Assessing non-economic damages
- Negotiating with insurers and your employer’s legal team
- Representing you during meetings
- Compiling evidence
- Providing case updates
- Answering your questions and explaining anything you’re confused about
Click to contact our Lake Charles Maritime Injury Lawyers today
Damages You Could Seek After a Lake Charles Off-Shore Accident
You can claim various damages after sustaining injuries in a Lake Charles accident. Your lawyer could study the case to identify each injury and assign a monetary value. One type of damage your attorney can help you seek is medical costs. This can include the cost of hospital stays, medication, nursing care, consultation fees, and assistive medical devices. The compensation you can pursue in medical expenses will depend on the extent and severity of the injuries and how they’ve affected your life.
Another damage a Lake Charles lawyer may seek on your behalf is lost income and wages. This injury will apply if you miss work during the recovery period. More damages your lawyer could seek are:
- Damaged personal items
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Reduced quality of life
- Rehabilitative care
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
Off-shore accidents can be traumatizing experiences and can lead to various mental health issues. For example, you may have PTSD and experience disturbing flashbacks after an off-shore accident. In addition, the incident could trigger anxiety, making it challenging to use water vessels in your future career.
An attorney can evaluate the effects of a Lake Charles off-shore accident on your mental health. After that, they can determine the cost of the treatment and add that amount to your potential settlement.
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Wrongful Death Damages You Can Pursue After a Lake Charles Off-Shore Accident
You can seek compensation if your loved one passes after a Lake Charles off-shore accident. An attorney from our firm can gently guide you through the legal side of this very difficult time. Some wrongful death damages a lawyer could help you pursue include:
- Pain and suffering
- Grief
- Loss of consortium
- Burial and funeral costs
- Final medical expenses
- Lost income
Can I Afford a Lake Charles Off-Shore Accident Lawyer?
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand that whether you’ve lost a loved one or been injured in an off-shore accident yourself, the aftermath of such accidents can be among the hardest experiences of your life. Unexpected injuries often come with unexpected medical bills. With everything you’ve been through, worries about money can only add to your stress.
This is one of the reasons our off-shore accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means if we win and you receive 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
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we proudly serve the maritime workers of the Lake Charles area. Our off-shore accident lawyers can handle your injury claim while you rest and heal from your injuries. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case review.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
