Offshore Accident Lawyers in Houston

If you or a family member has been hurt while working as a dock worker, seaman, or oil and gas industry employee, it is crucial to hire the best offshore accident lawyers. These are extremely risky and difficult jobs. You count on your employer and other liable parties to implement safety precautions and see to it that they are followed. Unfortunately, far too many businesses fail to provide adequate worker protection.

How Much Can I Recover for My Maritime Worker Injuries?

You are given the funds required to cover your expenses and heal from your wounds.
There are two main types of damages to which you may be entitled: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are fairly simple. They could consist of:

Money for medical expenses, including hospital bills, costs associated with medical equipment and mobility aids, copays for prescription drugs, and therapy and rehabilitation fees.
Money for anticipated future medical costs.
Wages lost while you were recovering.
Rehab for the working world.
Loss of earning potential if your injuries will make it impossible for you to work for a long time or ever again.

Also Read: Houston Maritime Attorneys: Sailing to Success

Of course, not every loss is blatant or obvious. Non-economic damages are intended to make up for your suffering from anxiety, lower quality of life, and other non-economic pain and suffering.
You might be entitled to punitive damages in certain circumstances of extreme negligence. These are intended to penalize the plaintiff.

The terms “maintenance” and “cure” refer to benefits that you may be entitled to if the Jones Act deems you to be a seaman (see below). The cost of the worker’s lodging and food, while they recover, is covered by maintenance. The cost of the injured seaman’s medical bills and any necessary travel expenses to receive treatment is referred to as the cure. Benefits for maintenance and cure stop when the seaman reaches “maximum medical improvement.”. Maximum medical advancement denotes the patient’s highest level of health, even if they are not completely cured.

What Does the Jones Act Mean and Does It Apply to Me?

The 1920 Merchant Marine Act is also known as the Jones Act. Certain protections are provided to seamen by federal law. If they sustain an injury at work as a result of their employer’s negligence, they are permitted to sue them. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)

You might be regarded as a seaman if you work on a boat or other vessel most of the time when it is in navigation.
You could fit the definition of seaman if you work on a ship as a sailor, deckhand, diver, engineer, driller, mechanic, captain, mate, steward, cook, fisherman, or in another position.
You are not entitled to workers’ compensation if you fall within the legal definition of a seaman.
You must file a Jones Act claim for damages for your injuries.
Employers of seamen are required by the Jones Act to maintain the vessel in a reasonably safe state and to offer a work environment that is reasonably safe.
The Jones Act holds employers accountable even if the injured worker inadvertently caused the accident.
Examples of unsafe conditions for which employers may be held accountable include damaged or improperly maintained equipment, oil or grease on the deck, inadequate training, inadequate equipment, coworker negligence, coworker assault, insufficient manpower, and failure to issue warnings about risks the employer is aware of.
Typically, you have three years from the accident date to file a Jones Act lawsuit. The statute of limitations and any other deadlines that apply to your claim(s) should always be discussed in person with an attorney. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)

Also Read: Houston Maritime Attorneys: Sailing to Success

Even if the Jones Act does not apply to you because you are not a seaman, you may still be covered by other laws. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act are two examples. The Death on the High Seas Act may be applicable if your loved one died in a maritime accident.
severe brain injury. significant back injury. Burns. losing a limb. The injuries suffered by maritime workers are frequently severe, irreversible, and costly. If you or a loved one has been hurt at work, you should hire a lawyer to help you navigate the complex legal system. You can seek compensation for your losses in the most appropriate ways with the assistance of an attorney. Don’t attempt this alone. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)

What is the cost of my offshore accident case?

Without meeting with you and conducting research on your case, it is impossible for to estimate the value of your case. Even then, past recoveries cannot predict or assure future results. The amount of money you might get depends on a number of factors, including the following.

Your salary prior to injury.
Your hospital bills and other costs.
Your anticipated medical costs in the future.
How soon you’ll be able to resume work, if at all.
Your non-monetary losses.

Why Do I Need an Offshore Injury Attorney?

If you’ve been hurt offshore, a representative of your employer or their insurance provider might come up to you and make you a financial offer. You might be having a difficult time recovering and worrying about household and medical expenses during this difficult time. Accepting this down payment can be seductive. However, you are giving up the option to take further action even though it might be beneficial in the short term. It’s likely that you won’t get paid everything you should for your injuries.
The laws governing these cases are only known to an offshore accident lawyer.

It can occasionally be challenging to determine which laws offer protection to workers on injured offshore platforms. What law(s) may apply to a claim depends on where it is and what kind of platform it is permanent or mobile.
Injuries are very common when working on offshore platforms because of the hazardous working environment and the large, heavy equipment and gear that are required. It can be challenging to determine responsibility, though. The negligence of an employer, a contractor, a worker for another contractor, or even the makers of the defective equipment could be to blame for the injuries.
Offshore workers who sustain injuries frequently are unaware of the procedures they must take to safeguard their legal rights. In circumstances like this, we comprehend that putting food on the table continues to be a top priority. But without legal representation, hurt offshore workers run the risk of doing themselves and their families a disservice.

What Should I Do (and Not Do) After My Offshore Accident?

When you’ve had a serious workplace accident, you might be in pain, anxious about your finances and the future, and just not be able to think straight. However, what you choose to do or refrain from doing in the moments following your accident matters. It may seriously affect your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)

Do seek medical care. Get medical help as soon as possible after your accident, regardless of where you are or how serious you believe your injuries are. Your primary concern should be your health and well-being, to start with. Medical experts can perform tests to look for problems that might not be immediately apparent. When we file a claim, we also need a complete paper trail of your medical issues and costs. In order to avoid further delay, either call your personal physician or visit an emergency room. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)
Do tell your employer about your injury right away. It is critical that they are informed immediately of the accident. This enables them to address any safety problems and safeguard other employees. Furthermore, it is crucial to support your claim with evidence. Do not assume that your coworkers will report your injuries on your behalf. Make the effort yourself if at all possible. Even better, record every detail of the incident and your injuries on paper. Keep one copy, and give the other to your employer.
Try your best to capture the accident on film. Keep a record of any witnesses. Gather their contact details. Snap pictures of the accident site, any pertinent machinery, and any infrastructure or security issues.
Interact with a lawyer. A lawyer with experience in these kinds of cases can give you advice on what to do and what mistakes to avoid. They’ll aid in your comprehension of the intricate law or laws that might be relevant to your claim.
Never talk about your case with anyone other than your attorney. Naturally, your employer must be informed of your injuries.
However, telling others about your wounds can be extremely damaging.
If you later decide to sue your employer, even the most casual remark could be used against you in court. (Offshore Accident Lawyers)

Offshore Accident Lawyers in Houston