Toll-Free: (866) 938-6113
Phone: (504) 680-4100
Estimating the Value of a Jones Act Claim
So you're now recovering from a serious accident, say from an explosion on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. You haven't worked for weeks, medical bills are accumulating and you're wondering how you'll pay for all this. You don't want to accept the first settlement offer the insurance company makes without discussing it with an attorney.
New Orleans, Louisiana, can be a great place to recover, but it's not going to be cheap. Your Jones Act claim settlement should cover these 3 basic compensation types:
The value of your initial medical expenses should be fairly obvious, as you've probably already gotten a few bills in the mail. However, an attorney for Jones Act claims will know that there are often future medical expenses involved with serious injuries from accidents like explosions on oil rigs off the Gulf of Mexico.
Your settlement not only should cover current medical expenses, but also provide additional compensation for estimated future expenses like therapy or disability equipment. A New Orleans lawyer can help you determine your potential medical needs and estimate the cost.
As for lost wages, you calculate those estimates in 2 time periods: the wages you've already lost up to this point and the estimated time you will not earn your full wages in the future. If you return to light duty work with lower pay, you can seek compensation for the difference from your previous income. If you are expected to be unable to work for a longer, if not permanent, term, you would estimate based on that time frame that you should have been working for full income.
Pain and suffering is the most difficult type of compensation to argue for in a Jones Act claim. This is non-tangible damage done to you as a result of the accident and injuries, also known as non-economic damages. Depression or loss of enjoyment of life due to physical limitations can be considered symptoms.
Your best method of estimating the value of a fair settlement for your Jones Act claim is to speak with an experienced attorney. In New Orleans, Louisiana or anywhere else maritime workers reside, an attorney for Jones Act claims is there to help you understand your rights as a maritime worker.
An Attorney in New Orleans, Louisiana, is Your Attorney for Jones Act Claims
The Jones Act law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. A New Orleans lawyer from The Young Firm can help you if you have suffered boating accident injuries, an offshore accident on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico or other injuries that fall under maritime law.
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.
Get Your Copy Of This Jones Act & Maritime Law Book - FREE!
Employee's Guide to Maritime Injury Law is intended to help maritime workers who have been injured offshore.
Get answers to such questions as:
"What is the Jones Act and does it apply to me?"
"Do I have a maritime claim and what should I do?"
"I just want to understand my options."
You NEED to get this free report before you sign any forms, give any statements, or talk to any adjusters.
Click here to get your complimentary copy.
Louisiana Jones Act Attorney | Louisiana Maritime Attorney | Maritime Lawyer
