Thousands of people work in the maritime industry, such as commercial fishers, port workers, longshoremen, and various other occupations in Louisiana’s marine sector, including Slidell. Maritime employees face a variety of potential risks on the job every day, often far more than most other workers in the United States.
If you are a maritime worker and have suffered an injury due to a workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A Slidell maritime injury lawyer can help you find out more.
Common Maritime Injuries and Their Causes
On seafaring ships, harbor docks, and other maritime work environments, there are many potential risks for injury. The following factors can contribute to a large number of maritime injuries:
Objects That Move or Fall
Loading and offloading products and commodities from cargo ships on a ship’s top decks can be dangerous in itself. This is a tough job that can result in injuries from falling, swinging, or moving objects, equipment, and cargo. Poor equipment maintenance, inadequate supervision, a lack of training among the employees doing the work, and even lifting improperly can contribute to these accidents.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are one of the most common accidents in maritime environments. You may find slick, shifting, or uneven decks, stairways, and other surfaces on boats or ships. These factors can lead to falls or stumbles toward the inside or outside area of the vessel. A bad fall can result in fractures, traumatic brain damage, back or spine injuries, drowning, hypothermia, and more.
Electric Shocks and Burns
Electric arcs and explosions and contact with AC or DC electricity can result in burns, electrical shock, or electrocution. Fire, explosions, or scorching in the engine room can also cause serious thermal burns among the personnel aboard a ship. Smoke inhalation injuries and fatalities can also occur as a result of fires.
Confined Areas
Cargo compartments and other confined areas below deck may be polluted by carbon dioxide accumulation, flammable or explosive vapors, poisonous fumes, or oxygen deprivation due to insufficient ventilation. They also typically do not have simple access to escape or rescue. Onboard ships, asphyxiation, poisoning, fires, and explosions frequently occur in tight places.
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.
ClientHow Can a Slidell Maritime Injury lawyer Help?
A maritime lawyer from our firm could do a lot for your case, including:
- Gathering evidence
- Talking to eyewitnesses
- Studying photos of the scene, video footage, or any police reports or safety data
- Investigating your case to determine the cause and at-fault party
- Negotiating with your employer’s attorneys and the insurance company
- Representing you in court if necessary
- Working with your doctor to determine the extent of your injuries and how much treatment could cost
- Explaining anything you find confusing, answering your questions, and keeping you apprised of developments in your case
When you’re injured, you want to focus on taking care of yourself, not tackling a full legal claim. Maritime law is complex and can be hard to understand at the best of times. A Slidell maritime attorney can take that pressure off your shoulders and handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on healing.
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 | ClientHow Can I Afford a Maritime Injury Lawyer Serving Slidell?
Many accident victims are hesitant to seek legal counsel because they don’t think they can afford a lawyer. The fact is that for many wounded Scott maritime employees, the potential settlement they could pursue outweighs the expense of an attorney’s fees, which can be taken care of after you settle the case.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand that injured maritime workers could be facing a pile of unexpected medical bills that must be paid, and on top of that, it’s likely they had to take time off work to heal from their injuries.
Our maritime attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t have to worry about paying any legal fees upfront. If we win, and you receive compensation, our Slidell maritime injury lawyers simply take their legal fees out of a percentage of your total settlement package.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientThe Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Working at sea or in any other maritime setting can result in significant injuries, and you can pursue financial compensation for your suffering. Unfortunately, because of the complexities of compensation claims, determining which type of claim to file after an off-shore accident can be challenging. For maritime workers, two kinds of legislation are available to help you make a claim: the Jones Act and the LHCWA.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, was enacted to protect seamen by allowing them to sue their employers (or the shipowner or a coworker) for injuries caused by carelessness or negligence. To be considered a seaman, you must have worked on a navigable vessel, contributed to its operation and upkeep, and spent more than 30% of your time on the ship.
Under the Jones Act, you must file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the injury and you must report the accident to your employer within just seven days.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Another law protecting injured maritime workers is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA applies to maritime workers who wouldn’t be covered under the Jones Act. Longshoremen, harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship-breakers, and ship repairers are among those that fall under this category. The LHWCA covers accidents that occur offshore and in regions near navigable waters, such as loading docks, wharves, shipyards, and piers.
The LHWCA requires that you file your injury claim within one year of the accident. You also have 30 days to report that accident to your employer.
If you have any questions about which type of legislation applies to your case, a Slidell maritime injury lawyer from Laborde Earles can shed light on your situation and guide you through the entire injury claim process.
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 Today
If you’re a seaman or maritime worker who has been injured in an accident at work, our attorneys at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help. Let us handle your legal injury claim so you can focus on rest and recovery. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We can work together to come up with a plan to move forward and pursue your compensation.
