Maritime Law Blog

Injured while working offshore? Read the accident report before you sign it!

If you have been injured while working offshore, it is important that you report your injury to your employer. When you report your injury, your employer is required to fill out an accident report. Learn more about the importance of accident reports. The Young Firm of New Orleans represents those who injured offshore in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Alabama. If you think you have a maritime injury case, call our New Orleans law office at 1-866-938-6113 to schedule a free consultation with a maritime law attorney.F or more tips to help you win your offshore injury case, request our free book: “6 Secrets Your Company May Not Tell You When You Get Injured Offshore.”

What is the “Death on the High Seas Act”?

Hurt on a cruise ship? Cruise ships are legally responsible for passenger safety.

Two ships collide, crew feared dead - the dangers facing mariners on busy waters

A serious offshore accident in the Straits of Malacca highlights the dangers that maritime workers face when operating a vessel in busy waterways, either in US or international waters.

 

On August 18 a tanker carrying naphtha, a flammable light petroleum product, collided with a bulk carrier while navigating through the strait.  The crash caused the tanker to catch fire, and nine missing crew members are thought to have perished in the blaze.

 

Sixteen other crew members were rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, but rescuers have given up hope that they will find the remaining crew alive.  So far two dead bodies have been recovered.

 

What happened in this case?  Why did two large vessels collide with one another in a well-traveled body of water?  Maritime accident experts are investigating the case, trying to determine what caused the two ships to crash.

 

If you or someone you know is hurt in a maritime accident, it is important that you know you have rights.  Don’t let your employer, the vessel owner, their insurance company, or their lawyers push you around.  Sadly, many companies seem all too willing to put profits before people – but this doesn’t have to happen to you.

 

Want to find out how to protect yourself?  Please order our FREE book “Employee’s Guide to Maritime Injury Law” – that’s right, it is completely free – so you can arm yourself with the facts.

Looking for a Jones Act / Maritime Law attorney?

If you’ve been injured offshore, you face not only a long recovery from your injuries and an uncertain future, but you also bear the burden of medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and basic problems like how to pay for your living expenses.

 

This is enough to worry about without the pressure of having to hire a lawyer to stand up for your rights.  Unfortunately, if you want to be taken seriously by your employer and get the compensation you deserve after an offshore or maritime injury, you need good, experienced legal help.

 

The number one thing you need to look for in a maritime lawyer is experience.  You will do yourself no favors if you hire a nice attorney who hasn’t handled a good number and variety of maritime / Jones Act cases.

 

Why does this matter?  Maritime cases are governed by a murky, confusing, and convoluted set of laws that can trip up inexperienced attorneys.  A good lawyer with years of experience and an impressive, proven record of successful Jones Act cases is your best bet if you want to secure a reasonable recovery.

 

You can read more about the qualities you want for your maritime / Jones Act lawyer in our law library article “5 Qualities Your Jones Act Maritime Lawyer Must Have”.  Trust us, this is one article that you want to read before hiring an attorney.

Mesothelioma, a delayed risk for maritime workers

Common offshore injuries on the Gulf Coast

Coast Guard requires random drug testing of 50% of crewmen in 2010

The Coast Guard requires that maritime employers establish random drug testing programs for licensed crewmen. The Coast Guard recently issued its requirements for 2010, and in 2010, a minimum of 50% of workers must be tested. Maritime work is dangerous. When alcohol or drugs are involved, accidents can occur. If you’ve been injured offshore because a co-worker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you have rights to compensation under maritime law. Call the New Orleans office of The Young Firm at 866-938-6113

Jones Act seamen injured offshore are eligible for maintenance and cure

If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident and are unable to work because of your injuries, your employer could owe you for “maintenance and cure”.  This is the money that your employer is supposed to pay you after an accident so that you can pay your living expenses and medical bills until you are able to return for work.

 

Maintenance – the money given to injured seamen so they can pay bills and living expenses – typically isn’t very much money.  Some companies believe that $15 to $30 a day is adequate, but depending on your situation this may not be enough to cover your expenses.

 

Many working Jones Act seamen have bills like rent, a mortgage, utilities, transportation costs, and food to pay for – all of which would need to be covered by the maintenance compensation if they become incapacitated because of a workplace accident.  If the amount their employer offers them for maintenance isn’t adequate, they may have to involve an attorney to get what they need to survive.

 

Cure is the money give to injured Jones Act seamen so they can pay for medical bills resulting from their injuries.  Your employer is required to pay you for reasonable medical care until your condition is not likely to improve further – a point that your employer and your doctor may disagree on.

 

Do you have questions about an offshore injury that you sustained on a vessel or questions about maintenance and cure?  Please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced maritime law and Jones Act lawyers at The Young Firm to discuss your situation.

“Deadliest Catch” fishing boat captain Phil Harris dies

The Discovery Channel has announced that fishing boat captain Phil Harris whose commercial fishing ventures were featured on the reality TV series “Deadliest Catch” has died. The maritime law attorneys at The Young Firm would like express our sorrow for this loss. Harris is only one of many fishermen who risk their lives every day. If you have lost a loved one at sea, you have rights. Contact the Young Firm at 866-938-6113 to learn more.