Maritime work comes with a significant risk of physical injury. The hours are long, the work is strenuous, and the conditions are often extreme. These conditions can combine to result in severe or even fatal injuries.
If you have suffered one of these injuries, your prospect of financial compensation is through a claims system similar to the workers’ compensation process used by most states. These claims can be challenging, especially when you are acting on your own. Let a maritime injury lawyer help you pursue the compensation you deserve following an injury. A knowledgeable attorney could handle the legal work while you focus on your recovery.
The decision to hire a lawyer could be challenging following a maritime accident. However, attempting to seek compensation without the help of legal counsel could harm the success of a future claim.
It is not enough to contact a legal representative following a maritime injury. It is vital to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Any delay could make it difficult or even impossible to pursue a claim for compensation successfully.
Delays are dangerous for one simple reason: there is a deadline that applies to these claims. If an injured maritime worker files their claim after the deadline expires, they could lose the chance to secure compensation forever.
Countless injuries could occur when working in the maritime industry. Some of this harm is more serious than others. Some of the injuries that commonly lead to these claims include:
If a maritime injury prevents a person from maintaining their employment or living their life comfortably, an attorney could help.
The compensation an injured maritime worker could recover depends on the facts surrounding their accident. In general, more benefits are available in cases where there is evidence an injury resulted from negligence or occurred on a vessel that was not seaworthy. In these situations, a wide range of compensation could be available. This reimbursement could cover things like:
Only some of these forms of compensation are available in cases where negligence is not a factor. The same is true when a review finds the ship seaworthy. In these cases, compensation could be limited to maintenance and cure benefits.
Maintenance and cure benefits do not provide for non-economic losses like pain and suffering or emotional distress. Instead, this compensation pays for an injured party’s medical bills while replacing some of the wages they lost due to their injury. A lawyer could review the circumstances of a maritime injury case and identify the types of damages available.
Maritime injuries can have life-changing consequences. When you have suffered this harm, now is the time to seek legal counsel. Let a maritime injury lawyer help you pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve. Reach out right away for a private consultation about your legal options.