For those hurt in a maritime accident or who have otherwise suffered an offshore injury, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Maritime accidents include oil rig explosions, cruise ship injuries, accidents on tugboats, cargo ships, and oil tankers, commercial fishing accidents, crane mishaps, shipyard accidents, and accidents on barges. If you’re injured offshore due to someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, getting that needed compensation can present challenges. That’s why you need a maritime accident attorney in California.
If you have been injured at sea, contact Johnson Attorneys Group at 1-800-208-3538 for your no-cost case review. You can trust that our experienced legal team will give you personalized attention and the respect you deserve. Learn more about clients we’ve helped by viewing our case results.
Common Offshore and Maritime Accident Injuries
Many common maritime injuries are the same as those that can happen to anyone who works a high-risk job. Dangerous conditions and environments often lead to similar types of injuries. These can include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken limbs
- Lost digits or limbs
- Spinal injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Complications from exposure to chemicals
There are other injuries that can occur based on your specific industry and job duties.
How Offshore and Maritime Accidents Occur
Many injuries occur due to some of the more common elements involved with maritime activities. These can include:
- Slip and falls
- Falling overboard, or drowning
- Tight or enclosed spaces
- Lack of proper ventilation
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Structural damage
- Fire and electrical hazards
- Piracy and robbery
It’s also possible to fall victim to situations which are unique to your particular job duty or the maritime environment. Maritime accidents can range from a small injury to a full offshore disaster.
How Injuries from a Maritime Accident Can Affect Your Life
There’s the obvious issue of the injury itself. It can leave you unable to work or even unable to move about freely in general. You will have to see doctors, take medications, or go through physical therapy. You will need a means to pay for those doctor visits and medications. Insurance companies will hound you. All the while, you will still have to tend to your household, your bills, and your general livelihood. Beyond that, you may go through emotional turmoil and stresses that can make the situation even worse.
What to Do If You’re Injured on the Job or While Offshore
Seek medical attention. No matter what’s going on, or how the accident occurred, you will need the help of the opinion of a medical professional. Some maritime accidents can lead to subtle injuries that may not have any outward signs. Keep records of all medical visits and correspondence. Don’t waste any time filing a thorough and detailed accident report. You should also contact a maritime accident attorney in California immediately.
At Johnson Attorneys Group, we can help you find the most appropriate doctors for your situation. We will work with you even if you don’t have medical insurance. Only an offshore attorney can help an offshore worker figure out the next step.
California Maritime Accident Laws and Admiralty Laws
Maritime and admiralty laws offer maritime workers several legal rights. However, taking advantage of these rights isn’t always easy. You may have legal coverage under any of the following:
- The Jones Act
- Longshore Harbor and Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
- Death on High Seas Act
- Maintenance and Cure benefits
- The Unseaworthiness Doctrine
Because these laws can vary in how they work, it’s important you speak with an offshore injury lawyer to find out which laws are on your side.
Who You Can You Sue For Negligence in a Maritime Injury Case
Several people can hold responsibility, depending on the nature of the accident.
- Employers and their parent companies
- Crewmembers and anyone else employed on the vessel
- Manufacturers and sellers of faulty equipment
- Shipping companies and vessel owners
Negligence isn’t always in the hands of a single person. Sometimes there’s a chain of negligent decisions that can lead to your injury.
Understanding Negligence in Maritime Injury Cases
In legal terms, negligence is a construct that consists of several parts.
- Someone has a duty to someone else, like a captain to his crew.
- Someone must breach that duty, like improperly training someone for a hazardous job.
- That breach of duty must lead to an injury.
- That injury must cause you calculable problems in one way or another.
Proving each of these things isn’t always easy. That’s why it helps to have an advocate to coach, prepare, and guide you.
Here are a few ways negligence can lead to an injury.
- Lack of training or instruction
- Lack of proper or mandated safety measures
- Lack of maintenance and care for equipment
- Lack of breaks or downtime for maritime workers
The Types of Compensation You Can Expect from a Maritime Injury Case
Compensation can include payment for:
- All current and future medical needs and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Items or property you lost because of the accident
- Lost wages and projected future wages
Courts sometimes force companies to pay additional funds as punishment. In some cases, you can become the recipient of those punitive damage payments.
An Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get the Maximum Recovery for Your Maritime Accident Injuries
Those on the line to pay for your injury will not want to do so. You will have to speak to investigators, insurance company employees, experts, and various other people. That’s why it’s important to have an advocate who can help you get the maximum recovery from your California maritime accident and injury.
