The boating and shipping industries encompass a large portion of Louisiana’s economy and employ thousands of individuals along the coast. Ships and boats could be dangerous workplaces that expose employees to serious hazards. Unlike workers in other fields, people who work in the maritime industry in Lafayette are not covered under traditional workers’ compensation laws.
Maritime workers are not typically protected under traditional workers’ compensation laws. As an alternative to seeking workers’ compensation coverage under a traditional insurance policy, injured maritime workers who wish to recover must seek compensation from an alternative source. You can speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to help you pursue compensation.
Plaintiffs should note that there are federal statutes established specifically to protect maritime workers. The Jones Act explicitly allows injured maritime employees—referred to in the Act as “seamen”—to sue their employers for work-related injuries and associated losses. This statute applies to any employee who spends the majority of their work time on vessels in navigable waters, including deckhands.
Bringing forth a case under the Jones Act is the responsibility of the plaintiff. Because filing a claim can be a complex process, injured workers may wish to retain a deckhand maritime injury lawyer in Lafayette for assistance. A seasoned legal representative could gather evidence and documentation of any injuries and guide an injured worker through the Jones Act litigation process.
