Louisiana Offshore Accident Lawyers

When fishermen, longshoremen and other maritime employees are injured while working, a distinct body of law dictates when and how much they will be compensated. Louisiana offshore injury lawyers are personal injury attorneys with experience in building cases and securing settlements for maritime workers who are injured on-the-job.

While worker's compensation laws protect employees ranging from construction workers to bartenders, when it comes to the maritime industry, another distinct set of laws (including the following) apply:

the Jones Act: Also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act regulates U.S. commerce and protects the rights of maritime employees.
the Death on the High Seas Act: DOHSA allows relatives of deceased maritime employees to collect death benefits when the death occurs in international waters.
the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: LHWCA protects the rights of a vast range of harbor employees (including forklift operators, cargo unloaders, crane operators, etc.) should they be injured on the job.

Given the complexity of such laws, it's essential that injured maritime employees in Louisiana meet with an experienced offshore accident lawyer, once their health is stable, to learn more about their legal rights and find out if they are entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses.

Common Types of Offshore Accidents and Injuries

Some of the most common causes of offshore accidents and injuries include (in order of most to least common):

vessel-to-vessel collisions
vessel-to-fixed object collisions
skier mishaps
overboard falls
capsizing

In total, such offshore accidents cause over 500 fatalities and nearly 2,500 injuries each year. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that nearly 800 deaths occur as a result of offshore accidents each year.

It's important to note that such maritime accidents can occur on the ocean, as well as on insular bodies of water (such as rivers, lakes, etc.).

Types of injuries likely to result from such maritime accidents include (but aren't limited to):

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

Following an Offshore Injury or Accident

It's vital that injured maritime employees seek emergency medical care and follow through with all prescribed treatments to save their lives and achieve optimal recovery.

Once injured parties have stabilized their health, it's also crucial that they meet with an experienced Louisiana offshore accident lawyer to:

Learn more about their legal rights.
Find out if the Jones Act, DOHSA and/or LHWCA entitles them to a settlement for their injuries and losses.
Learn more about the process associated with winning personal injury claims.
Get expert advice regarding the best manner in which to pursue their case.

To encourage prospective plaintiffs to stand up for their legal rights, Louisiana offshore injury lawyers offer these initial consultations for free and will delay payment for their services until a settlement is reached.

Have you or a loved one been injured while working in the maritime industry? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced Louisiana offshore injury lawyer who will evaluate your claim and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

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Louisiana Offshore Accident Lawyers

Common Types of Offshore Accidents and Injuries

Following an Offshore Injury or Accident

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