Maritime Accidents
Working in the maritime industry carries an inherent level of risk.These are dangerous jobs but with the proper attention to detail and safety protocols, workers in these jobs can be protected.Unfortunately, far too many employees in maritime positions are frequently injured and sometimes killed.
Maritime laws, however, are in place to help ensure that injured individuals receive compensation for these medical conditions and that family members of loved ones who have been killed in a preventable maritime accident recover compensation.
WHAT TYPES OF COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE TO INJURED MARITIME WORKERS?
There’s no doubt that one of your primary questions will be related to the types of compensation you can recover. Immediately after an accident, it can be shocking to realize that the injuries you have sustained are serious and potentially permanent. Just a couple of seconds in an accident could change your life forever, which is why it’s imperative that you know how to react if you find yourself in this situation. There’s a lot on the line for your future when it comes to a maritime injury claim and you cannot afford to wait.
Injured workers may be eligible to recover compensation to assist with lost wages and medical expenses although a dependent survivor could be entitled to the money that could assist with paying for funeral or other costs. Maritime law is extremely complex and this is why it is important to identify someone who has an extensive background in maritime law specifically. Specialized knowledge in this complicated area of the law could make a big difference in the outcome of your case if you or a loved one has recently been injured in a maritime accident.
WHAT LAWS PROTECT INJURED MARITIME EMPLOYEES?
Many different laws intersect and involve injured employees and maritime employment. These include the Long Shore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Jones Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Death on the High Seas Act. Speaking with an experienced maritime lawyer as soon as possible after an accident occurs will give you an idea of what laws apply in your unique situation. More than one law may be involved in you case and an attorney can help you figure out if you’re eligible to file claims under multiple different laws.
Some of the most complex cases involving maritime law have to do with negligence. While true accidents happen on harbors or ships, many laws are in place to help minimize the chances of accidents. Filing a claim under the Jones Act, for example, can be complicated and confusing but it is also time sensitive and this is why an attorney should help you do it. Your employer could be held liable in an accident if the injuries could have been prevented by some action that falls under the employer’s responsibility purview.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EMPLOYEE AFTER A SERIOUS MARITIME INJURY.
Immediately after an accident happens, it’s your responsibility to report the injury to the supervisor. With an experienced maritime injury attorney on your side, you have a better chance of receiving all the compensation to which you may be entitled to including lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, mental anguish, and lost future earning capacity.
An attorney who has worked in this area of the law for some time can help you navigate the complex facets of all the different applicable laws and protections to which you may be entitled.
GETTING HELP NOW AFTER A MARITIME ACCIDENT
Acting in a timely fashion is critical if you wish to recover compensation associated with a maritime injury. There are many different ways that a maritime injury can compromise your life and it is important to get legal representation as soon as possible.
If you have sustained injuries including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, lacerations, fractures, broken bones or other medical conditions that have made it difficult for you to return to work or enjoy your life, consult an experienced maritime injury lawyer today.