Offshore Injury Lawyer

Offshore injury lawyers provide professional, aggressive representation to individuals injured while working in the maritime industry.

While employees in a number of industries are protected, in the event of an injury, via worker's compensation lawyers, for maritime employees, the Jones Act is a complicated law that:

protects workers' rights
stipulates when injured maritime workers are entitled to settlements for their injuries and losses
dictates the factors for which injured parties can be compensated
allows maritime employees to collect settlements if they are made to sail on an “unseaworthy” vessel
offers death benefits to families of deceased maritime workers who are killed on-the-job

In most cases, settlements awarded via the Jones Act are larger than those allotted according to worker's compensation laws.

Given the complexity of the Jones Act, it's essential that injured maritime workers meet with an experienced offshore injury lawyer to learn more about their legal rights and get the knowledgeable representation they need to secure compensation.

Details of the Jones Act

To recover compensation for damages via the Jones Act, an injured maritime employee:

has to be injured while working
must spend at least 30 percent of his (or her) time working in the service of a sea vessel
has to be able to prove that the negligence and/or recklessness of a ship owner, a captain and/or crew caused or intensified the employee's injury

Maritime workers typically covered by the Jones Act include (but aren't limited to):

cruise ship employees
dock workers
ferry workers
fishermen and crabbers
longshoremen
oil workers
seamen and officers
technicians, electricians and engineers who work aboard sea vessels
tug and barge hands

Typically, such maritime workers can receive Jones Act benefits following injuries such as:

back and neck injuries
burns
crushing injuries
disfigurement
electrocution
falls (including those resulting from slippery surfaces, collapse of structures, faulty equipment, etc.)
fractures
loss of limbs
permanent disabilities
traumatic brain injury

Offshore Injury Statistics

The following offshore injury statistics were compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard for the year of 2008:

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to nearly 27,100 events.
Nearly 800 deaths occurred as a result of maritime accidents.
Over 475 individuals died as a result of drowning (Ninety percent of these drowning victims were not wearing life jackets).
Offshore accidents resulted in over $121 million in property damage.

When to Meet with an Offshore Injury Lawyer

It is essential for injured maritime workers to meet with an offshore injury lawyer as quickly as possible following an injury so none of the evidence is lost. An experienced attorney will gather the information needed to prove the cause and severity of the injury which will help ensure the best possible outcome.

If you or someone you love has been injured at sea, contact us today and speak with one of our experienced offshore attorneys today.

Online Lawyer Source

Lawyers & Legal News Near You

Need Legal Help?

Start Here for a Free Case Review!

Offshore Lawyers

Find a Lawyer in Your State

Need Help?

Offshore Injury Lawyer

Details of the Jones Act

Offshore Injury Statistics

When to Meet with an Offshore Injury Lawyer

Other Areas of Law