2 Potential Types of Employer Negligence in a Piracy Incident

As with any offshore injury claim that falls under the Jones Act or maritime laws, damages resulting from an act of piracy should be due to a case of negligence. An attack by pirates in international waters can be a traumatic experience, resulting in both physical and mental damages. While it’s impossible to prevent these attacks completely, there are reasonable safety measures employers should take to raise crew safety.

2 Employer Acts of Negligence in Regards to Piracy

You should consult with maritime lawyers experienced in piracy damage cases to help you determine if negligence of your employer contributed to the occurrence of the pirate attack. 

• The employer failed to take measures to prevent the attack or provide adequate defensive measures against piracy. You employer should avoid navigating your vessel through areas known for piracy. There are many types of onboard defense systems that can also be used to deter or resolve attacks. 
• The employer fails to address any psychological damages you suffered after the pirate attack. You may suffer mental trauma from being through such a stressful ordeal, such as being held hostage or kidnapped, and your employer should provide medical support for any psychological conditions such as PTSD, anxiety or insomnia. 

Emotional distress lawsuits aren’t as common as offshore injury cases, but they can still be viable maritime claims. If you’ve been the victim of an act of piracy while working on an oil rig, offshore platform or vessel in international waters, you may want to consult with maritime lawyers to discuss your potential psychological damages. 

Maritime Lawyers Can Help with an Emotional Distress Lawsuit under the Jones Act 

The Jones Act Law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. Maritime lawyers from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana can help you if you are seeking to file an emotional distress lawsuit after becoming the victim of piracy, kidnapping, or other traumatic situations while working on an overseas oil rig, vessel, or platform.

Though we are based in Louisiana, we are ready and able to help injured victims throughout the U.S. Order our free Maritime Injury Law guide and/or our guide to what to do when you are injured offshore to learn all about your rights as an injured worker. 

When you are ready to get started with your Jones Act injury case, we urge you to contact us today for a FREE case evaluation – call 1-504-680-4100 or toll free at 1-866-938-6113.