As an off-shore worker in St. Charles Parish, you depend on various responsible individuals to take necessary precautionary measures that keep you safe while working. Unfortunately, these measures are not always followed, and off-shore accidents occur frequently.
If you or a loved one has recently sustained injuries in an off-shore accident, a St. Charles Parish off-shore accident lawyer can help. A lawyer could help you navigate the legal process, and provide solid counsel every step of the way.
Injuries Associated With Off-shore Accidents
Various injuries can result from off-shore accidents, some more common than others. We often see a combination of the following:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Traumatic head injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation of limbs
- Brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal bleeding
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 a St. Charles Parish Off-Shore Accident Lawyer Can Help
After sustaining severe injuries in an off-shore accident, the aftermath can be emotionally and financially draining. You may even find yourself in a financial crisis, especially if you’re the main breadwinner of the family. You know that you need to pursue compensation but might not know where to start. Let an off-shore accident lawyer from the St. Charles Parish area take this pressure off your shoulders.
Off-shore accident lawyers understand maritime law, and they can fight for you against your employer and the insurance companies. A lawyer could do the following to help your case:
- Investigate the off-shore accident to determine which maritime law applies to your case
- Gather enough evidence to determine the cause of the accident and all the liable parties
- Present evidence that proves the unseaworthiness of the vessel and your employer’s negligence
- Interview all witnesses present at the scene and record their statements
- Evaluate the available legal options and determine the most appropriate course of action
- Handle the paperwork and communications with the insurance company on your behalf
- Identify all recoverable damages and determine a settlement amount
- Negotiate a fair settlement with your employer and the insurance company on your behalf
- Represent you in a court trial if a fair settlement isn’t reached
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 | ClientMaritime Laws for Compensation
The state workers’ compensation systems across the country provide compensation for most employees’ injuries, whether they’re liable for the accident or not. These programs do not apply to the off-shore industry. However, off-shore workers can sue their employers for negligence after an accident. In most cases, off-shore workers are only required to prove that the employer was liable to a small degree for the accident to file for compensation.
Your St. Charles Parish off-shore accident lawyer could help find and prove the negligence in your case. An off-shore worker who has recently been injured while on duty may qualify for compensation under the following maritime laws:
The Jones Act
This is a federal law that protects the legal rights of off-shore and maritime employees. Under the Jones Act, an employer is responsible to create and maintain a safe working environment for workers. The Jones Act allows an injured off-shore worker to sue the employer directly if the accident is a result of those shortcomings. You must be a seaman to qualify for compensation under the Jones Act.
A seaman is defined as someone who spends at least 30 percent of their time on the off-shore vessel they work on traveling navigable waters. These off-shore vessels can include cruise ships, tankers, fishing boats, drillships, diving vessels, floating barges, cargo ships, and oil rigs (as long as they have some form of navigation).
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
This maritime law was created specifically to protect the rights of maritime employees who wouldn’t qualify for the Jones Act, such as shipbuilders, shipbreakers, dockworkers, harbor workers, dockers, and ship repairers. Under this law, off-shore workers who work in adjoining areas to navigable waters are entitled to compensation if they’re injured while on duty.
The LHWCA allows maritime employees to receive total or temporary disability benefits.
General Maritime Law
Maritime workers who don’t qualify for compensation under the Jones Act or the LHWCA can still recover compensation under the general maritime law. This law provides compensation for injuries sustained by maritime workers while on duty, including maintenance and cure benefits.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat Kinds of Compensation Can I Pursue?
If you’ve been injured in an off-shore accident while on duty, a St. Charles Parish off-shore accident lawyer can help you pursue various damages, including:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost earning capacity
- Total or temporary disability
- Counseling and rehabilitation expenses
- Diminished quality of life
If you’re filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased loved one, you may recover compensation for the following:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Final medical expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
An off-shore accident lawyer serving the St. Charles Parish area can tell you more about this kind of claim and gently guide you through the legal aspects of this difficult time.
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.
ClientPreparing For Your Off-Shore Accident Claim
Your injury’s severity will heavily influence the compensation you’ll get on your case. However, there are some pieces of evidence that you may already have that your lawyer could use to strengthen your claim, including:
- A copy of the accident report
- Copies of your medical records and bills
- A medical report from a recognized health provider linking your injuries to the off-shore accident
- Statements from witnesses at the accident scene
- Receipts detailing the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred following the accident
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in an off-shore accident, you can always reach out to a St. Charles Parish off-shore accident lawyer for legal help. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our attorneys can help you build a strong case for your compensation claim. Call today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
