Common Causes of Seaman Injuries in Baton Rouge

Here are some of the most common causes of injuries to seamen we see in Louisiana:

  1. Trips, Slips, and Falls: The floors of a vessel are often wet and slippery, either from water or dripping grease that ends up on the deck. Either way, it poses a safety hazard for passengers and maritime workers onboard. A trip and fall accident can likely cause severe fractures, back and spine injuries, or even head trauma, including concussions and traumatic brain injury.
  2. Toxic Chemicals: Toxic chemicals or corrosive materials in a confined space can be dangerous to anyone onboard a sea vessel. This is because corrosive substances present a hazard to the eyes, skin, or lungs by direct contact, whether touched or inhaled.
  3. Moving Objects: Maritime jobs involve heavy equipment that is constantly moving. For instance, loading and unloading goods and materials from cargo ships often involve using cranes and forklifts. If vessel owners fail to adequately maintain the equipment and it malfunctions, it could cause serious accidents and injuries including broken or crushed bones.
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What Is the Jones Act?

This federal law allows seamen to sue their employers or any other liable party for negligence if they get injured on the job.

What Is Considered Negligence Under the Jones Act?

The Jones Act requires the employer or vessel owner to maintain safe working conditions on the vessel that the seamen work on. Failure to do this can be considered negligence by the employer, and if it causes injury, the employer could be held responsible. Under the Jones Act unsafe conditions for working can include:

  • Grease or oil on the deck
  • Broken or malfunctioning equipment
  • Improperly maintained equipment
  • Improper training of crewmembers
  • Assault by a co-worker
  • Co-worker’s carelessness
  • Lack of safety gear or protocols

Damages Under the Jones Act

At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our seaman injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for many different types of damages. Some of which include:

  • Lost earnings
  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental and physical anguish
  • Trauma

The Jones Act Burden of Proof

Compared to standard negligence cases, the Jones Act burden of proof is relatively low. You only have to prove that the other party’s negligence played a part in your injuries. Your Baton Rouge seaman injury lawyer can help you with evidence and answer any questions you may have.

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Do I Qualify as a Seaman?

To pursue a Jones Act claim, the following conditions must be met:

1

The Vessel Must Be in Navigation

The sea vessel has to have some form of navigation on traversable waterways. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be moving at the time of injury. It could be at the dock.

2

The Vessel Must Be Operable in Navigable Water

The seaman must be in a vessel operable in navigable waters. Navigable waters include a river, lake, or sea.

3

You Must Contribute to the Vessel’s Work

A seaman can’t be merely a passenger. To get compensation for damages that happened onboard, you need to prove that you had duties on the vessel that were significant for its operation.

4

You Must Spend a Significant Time on Board

To qualify as a seaman, you must spend 30 percent of your time onboard the vessel. Your seaman injury lawyer can tell you more, determine which law you qualify for and which legal path is right for you.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law covering maritime workers who wouldn’t be covered under the Jones Act. Some of the employees eligible for the LHWCA include:

  • Longshoremen
  • Shipbuilders
  • Ship repairers
  • Shipbreakers
  • Dockworkers

Benefits Available Under the LHWCA

Under the LHWCA, if you suffer a work-related injury, you’re entitled to pursue compensation in the form of many different damages.

If your injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work, your Baton Rouge seaman injury lawyer can help you pursue rehabilitation benefits.

The LHWCA also provides the following:

  • types of monetary benefits:
  • Temporary total disability
  • Temporary partial disability
  • Permanent total disability
  • Permanent partial disability

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

I was very pleased with the attention and detail that was given by Karely with Laborde Earle’s Injury lawyers. She answered all of my questions ...

I was very pleased with the attention and detail that was given by Karely with Laborde Earle’s Injury lawyers. She answered all of my questions and concerns, and her professionalism was top notch. Her phone etiquette, and calm and caring attitude was outstanding.

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Baton Rouge

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs...

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs. Courtney. I spoke with her multiple times, and each time she was patient and answered every question I had. She made me feel like I was the only client. Grateful for her and Laborde Earls!

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Tracie M.

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is ...

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is truly a blessing!

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Tori E.

Love Laborde Earle's. They're dependable lawyers that let you know you can trust them. I would specifically recommend Derek Hebert. He's a great attor...

Love Laborde Earle's. They're dependable lawyers that let you know you can trust them. I would specifically recommend Derek Hebert. He's a great attorney who is extremely knowledgeable and you'll never doubt that he'll get the job done!

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I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situat...

I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situation. They made everything easy to understand and handled every detail with care. I felt supported the whole way through. I highly recommend Renee McCaslin to anyone looking for a paralegal who goes above and beyond.

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Rosann Roberts

Lake Charles

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, ca...

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, and goes above and beyond for everyone in her life. She is a true gem! To know her is to love her!! Anybody would be lucky to have someone like Toni in their corner.

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Sarah Jorden

Marksville

Elizabeth Lachney was super helpful in explaining a lot of things i didnt understand about my case. Very respectful and seemed so welling to help me! ...

Elizabeth Lachney was super helpful in explaining a lot of things i didnt understand about my case. Very respectful and seemed so welling to help me! She is the best, I 1000% recommend her if you have any questions!

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skylar bachman

New Iberia

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve h...

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve had with her has been positive — she takes the time to explain things clearly and makes the process much less stressful. Laborde Earles Law Firm is lucky to have someone like Jourdan on their team. I would highly recommend both Jourdan and the firm to anyone looking for trustworthy and reliable legal support.

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Matt Picard

New Orleans

I had the pleasure of working with Erica Ducote, and I cannot say enough about the excellent job she did on my case. From the very beginning, Erica wa...

I had the pleasure of working with Erica Ducote, and I cannot say enough about the excellent job she did on my case. From the very beginning, Erica was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail. She took the time to explain each step of the process, answered all of my questions thoroughly, and made sure I always felt supported and informed.
Her dedication and attention to detail were clear throughout, and it was evident she genuinely cared about achieving the best possible outcome. Thanks to Erica’s hard work and expertise, my case went smoothly and successfully.
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maddie jo

Marksville

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Can I Afford a Seaman Injury Lawyer in Baton Rouge?

At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our attorneys know how traumatic an off-shore injury can be for seamen. Unexpected medical bills can be daunting, especially if you’ve had to take time off of work to recover. The financial strain can be overwhelming.

This is one of the reasons our seaman injury lawyers in Baton Rouge work on a contingency basis. This means you won’t pay anything upfront, beginning with your free consultation. Only if we win and you receive compensation, your lawyer will take his or her fees from 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’re proud to serve the Baton Rouge area. Let our seaman injury attorneys handle the hard work of your case so you can rest and recover properly in the comfort of your own home. Your lawyer can represent you in negotiations and keep you updated on your case. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

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