- How Claims Work
- During Your Case
- Hiring an Attorney
- Attorneys
- About The Young Firm
- Helpful Info
- Resources
- Client Portal Hub
Claim Calculator
Take Our Free Claim Assessment
Get Answers. Move Forward. 504-680-4100
Getting hurt while working at sea can turn your life upside down. You might be dealing with pain, medical bills, and worries about your future. If you’re facing this tough situation, you’re not alone. Many seamen have been in your shoes before.
Remember, a maritime injury lawyer can be a big help as you go through this process. They know the laws that protect seamen and can fight for your rights. Below are some things to know to prepare for maritime litigation.
As someone who works on the water, you have special rights. These rights come from laws made just for people like you. One critical law is called the Jones Act. It helps protect sailors who get hurt on the job. This law lets you ask for money to help pay for your injuries and lost income.
Another important legal principle is called maintenance and cure. This says your employer has to pay for your daily living costs and medical care while you get better. These laws are there to help you, but they can be hard to understand on your own. That’s where a maritime injury lawyer comes in. A lawyer can explain these laws in simple terms and use them to your advantage.
Your rights as a seaman differ from those of people working on land. You have more protections, but the legal process can be more complicated. A maritime injury lawyer knows these differences and can guide you through them. Don’t try to figure out these laws on your own. A lawyer can help ensure you get all the protections you deserve under the law.
After you get hurt, your health should be your top priority. Getting good medical care is not just important for your health – it’s also key for your legal case. Here’s why:
First, seeing a doctor creates a record of your injuries. This record is important proof for your case. It shows when you got hurt and how bad your injuries are. Tell your doctor about all your symptoms, even ones that seem small. Sometimes, small problems can turn into big ones later.
Second, following your doctor’s orders shows you’re serious about getting better. This looks good in your case. It shows you’re doing your part to heal. If your doctor tells you to rest, make sure you do. If they say you need physical therapy, go to all your appointments.
Remember, you have the right to choose your own doctor. Your employer might try to send you to their doctor, but you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. A maritime injury lawyer might even assist you in finding a good doctor who understands sea-related injuries.
Keep all your medical bills and records. These will be important for your case. They help show how much your injury has cost you. Ask a maritime injury lawyer if you’re unsure what records to keep. They can tell you exactly what you need. Good medical care helps you get better and builds a strong foundation for your case.
Writing down what happened when you suffered your injuries is really important. Try to do this as soon as you can after your injury. Write down everything you remember about the accident. What were you doing? What time was it? What was the weather like? Every detail matters.
Also, write down how the injury has changed your life. Are you in pain? Can you sleep well? Can you do your job? What about hobbies or time with family? All of these things matter for your case.
Keep a daily journal about how you’re feeling and what you can and can’t do because of your injury. This helps show how the injury affects you over time. Remembering all these details later can be hard, so writing them down now is really helpful.
Don’t forget about witnesses. If anyone saw you get hurt, write down their names and how to contact them. Their stories can help back up what you’re saying about the accident.
All this information will be really useful for your maritime injury lawyer. It helps them understand what happened and how it’s affected you. The more details you can give them, the better they can fight for you. Good documentation can make a big difference in your case.
When you’re dealing with a maritime injury, it’s easy to make mistakes that can hurt your case. Here are some things to watch out for:
Don’t sign anything without talking to a maritime injury lawyer first. Your employer or their insurance company might ask you to sign papers. These can be settlement offers or statements about what happened. Even if they seem okay, these papers can hurt your case. A lawyer can read them and tell you if they’re fair.
Be careful what you say to your employer or their insurance company. They might try to get you to say things that make it seem like the accident was your fault. It’s best to keep your comments short and stick to the facts. Let your maritime injury lawyer do the talking for you.
Don’t post about your injury on social media. Insurance companies and lawyers often check social media to find things they can use against you. Even innocent posts about feeling better or doing basic activities can be twisted to make it seem like you’re not really hurt.
Don’t wait too long to start your case. There are time limits for filing maritime injury cases. If you wait too long, you might lose your chance to get help. A maritime injury lawyer can make sure you file your case on time.
Don’t try to tough it out and keep working if you’re hurt. This can make your injuries worse. It can also make it seem like you’re not really injured. Follow your doctor’s orders about when it’s safe to go back to work.
Remember, a maritime injury lawyer can avoid these and other mistakes. They know what to watch out for and can guide you through the process. Avoiding these mistakes can help keep your case strong.
Getting proof for your case is really important. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Here are some types of evidence that can help:
Accident reports are a big deal. If your accident was reported, get a copy of that report. Check it to make sure it’s correct. If there are mistakes, tell your maritime injury lawyer right away.
Your work records can also be important. These show how long you’ve been working, what your job is, and how much you earn. They can help show how much money you’ve lost because of your injury.
Get copies of all your medical records. This includes doctor’s notes, test results, and bills. These show how badly you were hurt and how much your medical care has cost.
If there are maintenance logs for the equipment you were using when you got hurt, try to get copies. These can show if someone failed to maintain the equipment properly.
Photos and videos can be really strong evidence. If you have any pictures or videos of where you got hurt, save them. If you can safely return to where the accident happened, take more pictures.
Keep any clothes or equipment that sustained damage in the accident. These can be physical proof of what happened.
Keep the receipts if you had to buy anything extra because of your injury. This might be for medicine, special equipment, or even transportation to doctor’s appointments.
This evidence will help your maritime injury lawyer build a strong case for you. They know how to use this information to show what happened and how it’s affected you. Good evidence can make a big difference in your case.
The legal process for maritime injuries can be confusing. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you might expect:
First, your maritime injury lawyer will file a complaint. This document tells the court what happened and what you’re asking for. The other side (usually your employer or their insurance company) will file an answer to your complaint.
Next comes discovery. This is when both sides share information about the case. You might have to answer written questions or give a deposition. A deposition is when you answer questions under oath. Your maritime injury lawyer will prepare you for this.
After discovery, there might be settlement talks. This is when the two sides try to agree on a fair payment without going to trial. Your lawyer will handle these talks for you. They’ll tell you about any offers and give you advice, but you decide whether to accept a settlement.
Your case might go to trial if you can’t reach a settlement. In a trial, both sides present their evidence to a judge or jury. The judge or jury then decides who wins the case.
Remember, most maritime injury cases settle before trial. But your maritime injury lawyer will prepare as if the case is going to trial. This way, you’re ready for anything.
Throughout this process, your lawyer will keep you updated. They’ll explain what’s happening and what it means for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Understanding the legal process can help you feel more in control of your case.
You’ll probably have to deal with insurance companies when you’re hurt at sea. This can be tricky. Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. Here’s how to handle them:
First, be careful what you say to insurance adjusters. They might seem friendly, but remember, their job is to save the company money. Anything you say might be used to reduce your claim.
Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to a maritime injury lawyer first. The insurance company might ask for one, but you don’t have to give it. These statements can often be used against you later.
If the insurance company makes an offer, don’t accept it right away. First offers are often low. Talk to your maritime injury lawyer about any offers. They can tell you if it’s fair or you should ask for more.
Keep track of all your contacts with the insurance company. Write down who you talked to, when, and what was said. This information can be helpful for your case.
Don’t sign any papers from the insurance company without having your lawyer look at them first. Some documents might limit your rights or prevent you from getting full compensation.
Remember, insurance companies have lawyers working for them. You should have a maritime injury lawyer working for you, too. They can handle talks with the insurance company and protect your rights and interests. Having a lawyer on your side can level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies.
Don’t let immediate financial concerns keep you from getting the legal help you need. Many maritime injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they only get paid if they win your case. You have nothing to lose by talking to a lawyer and potentially much to gain.
Your health and your future are important. A maritime injury lawyer can help protect both. They can guide you through the legal process, fight for your rights, and work to get you the best possible outcome.
Don’t face this challenging time alone. Reach out to a maritime injury lawyer today and take the first step towards getting the help and compensation you deserve. Your rights matter, and a maritime injury lawyer can uphold and exercise all your rights under various maritime laws.
Make the call today – it might be the most important step you take for your future. The last thing you should ever try to do is face litigation alone, as there is much at stake.
