Working on a ship, a sea vessel or any other maritime work environment poses more challenges and risks than other types of work. Suppose you rely on a maritime job as a living, such as a seaman, boatswain, machine operator, deckhand, engineer, pilot, or other maritime jobs. If you do, it can be essential to know what steps to take after sustaining an injury while at work.
If you have sustained injuries after a maritime work accident, a Laborde Earles maritime injury lawyer serving the Terrytown area can help. When you’re seriously hurt and feeling vulnerable, it can be hard to know who to turn to. Our maritime attorneys can answer all of your questions and handle your injury claim from start to finish, so you can focus on recovery.
What Should I Do After a Maritime Accident?
The moments and days following a maritime accident can be crucial to your health and wellbeing, and to your claim for compensation. Here are a few essential actions you should take immediately after you’ve been injured in a maritime accident.
Seek Medical Attention
In an accident, maritime employers have a responsibility to provide emergency medical care, if possible. If you’re at sea and there is no physician on board, seek medical attention as soon as you reach port, or call the Coast Guard. Make sure that you seek treatment even for injuries that seem minor. Common accidents like slips and falls, chemical burns, or hypothermia can result in internal injuries that may surface later.
Also, make sure to keep copies of all medical documentation and bills. These could become evidence in your injury case.
Inform Your Employer
Maritime compensation laws like The Jones Act and the LHWCA have strict requirements for notifying an employer after a work-related accident. As a victim, ensure that you inform your employer of the accident as soon as possible, or at least within the deadlines listed below. If direct communication with your employer isn’t possible, notify your immediate supervisor.
Gather Evidence
Proper evidence is the backbone of any accident claim, and that includes maritime injury cases. If possible, take photos of the scene and any equipment involved in the accident. Additionally, include the contact information of any eyewitnesses who saw your accident. Witness reports are essential in verifying your side of the story.
Proper evidence can help your maritime injury lawyer build a solid case. If you wish to hire a Terrytown maritime lawyer to handle your case, you can call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers as soon as the accident occurs.
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.
ClientCommon Maritime Injuries
Ships and other sea vessels depend on heavy machines and hazardous chemicals to operate correctly. For this reason (and many more), it’s not surprising that a maritime accident can be severe and even fatal. Some common maritime injuries include:
- Slips and falls
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Falling overboard
- Chemical burns
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury
- Injuries and muscle strains from overexertion
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 | ClientWhat Your Compensation Can Cover
As the victim of a maritime accident, you have several legal options to pursue compensation depending on the extent of your injuries, the extent of the employer’s liability, and your job type in the maritime industry. A Terrytown maritime injury lawyer can evaluate your case and offer advice on the best possible options.
Depending on your specific circumstances, you could be eligible for compensation for the following damages after a maritime accident:
- Medical expenses, including physical therapy, emergency room treatment, prosthetics, or prescription medication
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Partial to complete disability
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
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
The Jones Act, also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, gives seamen the chance to sue their employers directly for compensation after an injury. A seaman is anyone who works on a navigating vessel, contributes to the overall mission of the ship, and spends more than 30% of their time onboard. Note that some negligence must have been involved in your accident to file under the Jones Act.
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.
ClientThe Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The LHWCA protects the rights of maritime employees who aren’t considered seamen and wouldn’t qualify for the Jones Act. This can include occupations like longshore and harbor workers, shipbreakers, and ship mechanics. Negligence does not need to have played a part in your accident to file an LHWCA injury claim.
Deadlines Under the Jones Act and the LHWCA
Under the Jones Act, you must file your lawsuit within three years of the date of your accident or three years from the date your injuries surfaced. Remember that some injuries can take time to appear. You must also report the accident to your employer within just seven days.
Under the LHWCA, you have just two years from the date of your accident to file your injury claim, and you must notify your employer or immediate supervisor of the accident within thirty days.
A Terrytown maritime injury lawyer can help you determine which legal path is right for you, and ensure that all paperwork is filled out properly and filed on time.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand the frustration of pursuing compensation for maritime injuries while still recovering. Let our Terrytown attorneys handle all the complicated work for you. We can take on the hard work of your case so you can rest and focus on healing from your injuries. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and let us start working on your maritime injury case immediately.
