Overview of Maritime Accident Injury Acts that May Apply to Your Case (Part B)
Determining if the Maritime Injury Acts Apply to Your Claim
There are several maritime injury acts that may make workers eligible for a claim for damages suffered in a maritime accident. Instead of trying to read through these complicated laws, attorneys who help Lafayette, LA workers can decipher the basic details.
Location is a key point in determining which acts apply to your maritime accident claim. Accidents that occur in waters considered part of the Outer Continental Shelf may be governed under the OCSLA. Accidents that occur on a shipping dock or port are considered to be on land and are therefore often not included in Jones Act or Maritime Law claims, but they may be covered under the LHWCA. The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) applies to workers when they’re 3 miles beyond shore.
The nature of the workers’ occupation is also called into question when determining which acts apply to their maritime accident claim. A Lafayette injury lawyer can help you review your employment status and employing vessel or location to see if you classify as a seaman or dock worker under these laws.
Why Maritime Injury Acts Matter to Your Claim
When you file an accident claim, you typically do so with your employer, who will refer it to their insurance company. In many cases, they won’t provide the full compensation you’re entitled to, and you may not even know it. By working with attorneys that handle Lafayette, LA maritime worker claims you may have an advantage having legal counsel that knows when you have a right to further compensation.
Your accident may leave you with injuries that cause future damages and suffering, in both financial and physical/mental capacities. Your claim settlement should address these future damages, and it often can only be accomplished through a claim under one of the acts for maritime workers.
Attorneys near Lafayette, LA That Can Help Your Claim
Maritime law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. If you are near Lafayette, an injury lawyer from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana can help you if you have suffered in an accident.
When you are ready to get started with your offshore accident 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.
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