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Maritime Injury: When Can Victims Get Compensation?

If you’ve recently been injured in an offshore work accident, you may have several questions:

  • Will I still receive wages while I’m unable to work?
  • Will I get help with my medical bills?
  • What types of financial compensation are available?
  • Can I sue my employer if my injury was their fault?
  • What kind of damages can I recover in a lawsuit?
  • When should I talk to a lawyer?

Consider meeting with an experienced offshore accident lawyer who can answer your work injury concerns.

"Experienced maritime injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and secure the full compensation you deserve." - Laurence Banville

"Why Would I Need an Offshore Injury Attorney?"

All across America’s numerous waterways, various maritime employees work together to form a workforce that helps power our economy.

From the Northeastern ports in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey to the Gulf of Mexico and on rivers and lakes in between, these workers are forced to undergo hazardous working conditions. This type of work is also physically demanding.

Because of the hazardous and physical nature of this line of work, maritime workers often suffer serious injuries while on the job.

Maritime Injury Claims

If you’ve recently been injured while working on a sea vessel or in a port, dock, harbor, or other maritime settings, it’s important to know your rights. However, filing a claim for maritime injuries is often more complex than land-based workers’ compensation claims.

These accidents and injuries are governed by a complex set of statutes known as maritime law. There are numerous routes to compensation for personal injury in the maritime industry, and the right route for you depends on the nature of your injury, your work duties, and other factors.

maritime injury attorneys help with compensation claims

Maritime Accidents And Injuries Handled By Offshore Injury Lawyers

The dynamic settings in which workers of the maritime industry toil day-in and day-out can make for a wide variety of injuries; that is, in the instances where a maritime accident doesn't result in death.

Some of the most common types of maritime injuries include:

  • Crushing injuries, often caused by the heavy machinery used in the line of work
  • Falling overboard
  • Electrical, thermal, and chemical burns, among others
  • Enclosed spaces injuries, whether related to poor ventilation or blunt force trauma
  • Slip and fall accidents, such as by fishermen who spend long hours on slippery decks

The types of personal injury resulting from maritime accidents will have a significant impact on the amount of compensation that may be attained via a claim. This is largely due to the fact that compensation is calculated from costs incurred as a result of maritime accidents.

Yet, the type of maritime worker claim that is filed in a specific case depends less on a worker's injuries and more on the nature of their work. In the next section, we briefly cover the three types of claims, all of which rely on key pieces of legislation: the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Death on the High Seas Act.

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Forms Of Compensation For Maritime Injuries

Depending on your classification as a worker, you may be eligible for one of the following forms of compensation:

Jones Act Claim

Seamen, crew members, and other workers who spend at least 30% of their work hours in the service of a vessel can hold their employers liable when negligence contributes to a work injury, under the Jones Act.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

Maritime workers in docks, harbors, ports, and other on-shore maritime work settings are not covered under the Jones Act but can recover compensation for injury-related expenses in an LHWCA claim.

Death on the High Seas Act (DOSHA) Benefits for Surviving Families

When a fatal accident occurs due to negligence more than 3 miles off the coast of US territory, surviving families can recover financial compensation in a DOSHA claim.

Maritime Workers' Accident Lawsuits: When Is A Jones Act Claim An Option?

In order to file a Jones Act claim, you must meet the Act’s definition of a “seaman”.

Any crew member who spends at least 30% of their work hours on board or in the service of a vessel on navigable waters is covered under the Jones Act. Ship crew members, commercial fishermen, oil rig workers, cruise ship employees, and other workers on navigable waters are all covered under the Jones Act.

Maintenance and Cure

This Act provides automatic no-fault benefits for any work-related injury or illness.

Similar to what you’d receive in a land-based workers’ comp claim, maintenance and cure benefits provide financial compensation for medical expenses and necessary daily living expenses, such as rent and groceries. Since maritime workers generally are not covered under workers’ comp, receiving your maintenance and care benefits is a vital first step after a serious maritime work injury.

Negligence

If the negligence of a co-worker, your employer, or your vessel’s owner caused your injury, you have the option to hold them liable for injury-related expenses. If your employer failed to keep your workplace safe and free of hazards, or even if a co-worker injured you through a negligent act, you recover damages in a Jones Act claim.

A few common examples of negligence include:

  • Slip or trip and fall hazards from inadequate maintenance
  • Poorly trained staff
  • Failing to follow safety rules
  • Poorly maintained or defective equipment

Unseaworthiness

If your work vessel has a dangerous or defective condition or is an unsafe work environment in any way, the ship may be considered unseaworthy. The owners of unseaworthy vessels can also be held liable for damages following the injury of a maritime worker.

Some dangerous conditions which could make a vessel unseaworthy include:

  • Missing guard rails and handrails
  • Lackluster safety equipment
  • Defective gear and machinery
  • Broken steps, staircases, and walking surfaces

If you’ve recently suffered a serious injury due to an unsafe vessel or unsafe working conditions, consider speaking with a maritime injury lawyer about holding negligent parties liable for damages related to your injury.

What Should I Know About Filing A LHWCA Claim?

Maritime workers who aren’t covered under the Jones Act can recover financial compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. This Act mainly applies to maritime employees in workplaces which involve loading, unloading, repairing, and building vessels.

Who Is Covered?

Specific employees covered under the LHWCA include:

  • Longshore workers
  • Ship repair staff
  • Shipbuilders
  • Shipbreakers
  • Harbor construction workers

Some non-maritime workers may also be covered if they work on navigable waters and are injured on those waters.

What Should I Do First?

If you’ve recently suffered a maritime work injury, there are a few first steps to keep in mind:

  • Seek medical treatment
  • File a written report with your employer
  • Consider meeting with a lawyer
  • File a written claim

When Should I Talk With An Offshore Accident Lawyer?

It’s best to schedule an initial consultation as soon after your injury as possible. Our maritime injury firm offers free consultations, so you can learn more about your legal options with no obligation. If we determine that you need legal counsel for your claim, you’ll only be required to pay as a small percentage of your payout if and when we help you secure financial compensation.

The claims process for any maritime injury claim is complex and moves quickly. Many injured maritime workers have faith that their employers and insurance carriers will look out for their interests, but this faith is often unfounded. Remember that insurance companies increase their profits by denying claims and that they have skilled lawyers on staff who specialize in these denials.

In order to give yourself the best chance to recover the full compensation you deserve, it’s likely best to consult with an experienced maritime injury lawyer early in the process. This way, you can get the benefits you need without an excessively long waiting period while you’re out of work. To learn more about your options, contact us today for a free consultation.

Offshore Workers At Sea
About the Author
Paul
About Paul
Editor: Paul is a staff editor who focuses on bringing you the most important legal news regarding cases of sexual assault, drunk driving, and preventable violence. Contact Paul: paul@legalherald.com This article was fact checked prior to publishing by this author to ensure compliance with our rigorous editorial standards. We will only use authoritative sources. Our values compel us to provide only trustworthy information. If you find an error, please contact us.
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