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.”

Injured? What can you do when your company treats you unfairly?

If you have been injured while working offshore, you may not be being treated fairly by your employer. If your employer wants you to sign anything before treatment or return to work before you are healed, they are behaving unethically. At The Young Firm, we want to make sure that you get all the compensation that you are entitled to. Call us at 866-938-6113. We can help.

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

162 reported illnesses linked to Louisiana oil spill

The Louisiana state health department says it has received 162 reports of illnesses to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the 162 reported cases of illness, 128 involve offshore workers involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill clean-up. Offshore workers who become ill while on the job are protected under maritime law. Maintenance and cure benefits provide coverage for the injured worker’s medical costs as well as payment for living expenses if the sickened worker is unable to work. To learn more about maintenance and cure and other rights of injured offshore workers, call The Young Firm at 866-938-6113.

Louisiana Jones Act benefits do not exclude maintenance and cure

It is important that seamen know that there are additional benefits that can supplement a Jones Act claim. Under general maritime law, all seamen injured while working in service to their vessels are eligible for maintenance and cure regardless of who is at fault for the accident. They are also eligible to receive your wages until the end of your voyage or the end of your mutually agreed upon employment period. If you have been injured at sea and have questions about your benefits, contact the Louisiana maritime lawyers at The Young Firm