Maritime off-shore accidents can be harrowing experiences. The resulting injuries can sometimes even be life-threatening. This can leave the workers involved in a state of anxiety and confusion. In such circumstances, the inevitable legal matters can be overwhelming. Maritime law is notoriously complex and can be tough to understand at the best of times.
An off-shore accident lawyer serving the Metairie area can help. Our attorneys can handle all the stress and work of your claim while you rest and recover properly at home, updating you on your case, and providing solid legal counsel and advice throughout the claim process.
Metairie Off-shore Accident Lawyer
Workers within the off-shore oil drilling industry often work 12-hour shifts in dangerous conditions. The work is physically demanding and can involve being away from family and friends for months at a time.
If you’re injured in an off-shore accident, it can be hard to know where to turn. Although you might be eligible for compensation, the process of making it a reality can be difficult. A Metairie off-shore accident lawyer can represent you from the very first meeting onward.
Your lawyer can explore all legal options to achieve the best outcome possible, considering all aspects of your case. Your lawyer could file all paperwork by the deadlines, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer’s legal team.
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Types of Off-shore Accidents
Many types of accidents occur within the off-shore drilling industry, whether on a barge, drillship, or an oil rig. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Slips and Trips: One of the most common ways to suffer an injury off-shore is in a slip or trip accident. While this may not seem like a serious injury, it could result in broken bones or fractures, requiring medical treatment and surgery and extensive time off work.
- Falling From Height: Another serious type of accident that could result in fatalities is falling from height. From scaffolding platforms and ladders to the edge of the rig itself, if you’ve fallen from height while working on an oil rig, it’s possible to claim compensation as long as your own negligence didn’t cause it.
- Falling Overboard: If you’ve fallen overboard when working on an oil rig, you could claim compensation as long as you can prove that someone else was negligent and allowed the accident to happen (an attorney from our firm can help find proof of negligence).
- Fires and Explosions: The potential for fires and explosions is one of the key reasons petroleum drilling platforms are regulated so heavily. Workers can suffer burns, smoke inhalation, and other catastrophic injuries when an accident occurs.
- Flying, Falling, and Swinging Objects: Workers operate around heavy equipment and materials that can become airborne under certain circumstances. Being hit by swinging chains or pipes can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or back injuries that make it impossible to work.
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Liable Parties in Off-shore Accidents
In an off-shore accident case, liability is a complex issue because multiple parties could be at fault. Your employer, a coworker, or an equipment manufacturer may have contributed to or caused your injury. Your Metairie off-shore accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case and hold all responsible parties accountable, including:
- A coworker who didn’t follow safety protocol
- A negligent or reckless supervisor
- An employer who failed to train the crew properly
- A vessel captain responsible for a rig or vessel accident
- The manufacturer of a defective product or equipment
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The Jones Act
Liability is very important if you are filing under the Jones Act. The Jones Act is a federal law that allows injured seamen (those who work a certain amount of time aboard a navigable vessel) to sue their employer for compensation. An attorney from our firm can help you determine if the Jones Act is right for you, and help with every step of your Jones Act lawsuit.
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The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
If you do not qualify for the Jones Act, you’ll most likely qualify to file an injury claim under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA covers maritime workers who work on or near navigable waterways, such as piers, wharves, docks, or shipping terminals.
Recoverable Benefits in Off-shore Accident Claim
An accident can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones. The pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical injury sustained can be life-altering. Because of this, it’s important to understand the monetary compensation that may be available to you. Some of the most common types of damages include:
Medical Bills
If you suffer an off-shore injury while working in the maritime or oil and gas industry, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills. This includes the cost of surgery, hospitalization, medication, and rehabilitation. If your injuries require a lifetime of recovery or treatment, you should also be compensated for future medical costs.
Lost Wages
After an accident on an off-shore oil rig or vessel, you may be unable to return to work until your injuries heal. It can be impossible to earn an income for yourself and your family during this time. Compensation for lost wages could cover the income that you cannot earn due to your inability to work.
Property Damage
If any of your property is damaged in the accident, such as your car, cell phone, laptop, or other electronics, you can also seek compensation. Your lawyer can help you calculate how much it would cost to repair or replace your property and then pursue that amount from the negligent party’s insurance company.
Pain and suffering
These damages are often hard to quantify because it’s difficult to put a price tag on emotional trauma and mental anguish. Another reason is that such damages are subjective, so what one person perceives as pain and suffering may differ from what another person thinks it’s worth. Even if two people go through the same accident, they’ll have different ways of looking at it emotionally based on their life experiences.
Permanent Disability
Suppose an injured worker cannot return to their previous job after an off-shore accident. In that case, they may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits until they reach maximum medical improvement.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
This is usually associated with an individual who can no longer participate in activities they enjoyed before an accident due to their injury, such as playing sports, hiking, etc.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
You might be feeling disoriented after a terrifying accident at sea. You could be overwhelmed by the pressure of taking on your entire legal claim alone and not knowing who to turn to. Let our attorneys take that stress off your shoulders. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we’re ready to help and can start the process for free. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation.
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