Maritime injury lawyer
An offshore injury lawyer covers any maritime accident in which a seamen is injured due to the negligence of another party. Common examples include failure of employers to: Provide adequate safety training. Ensure all equipment is in working, functioning order.
At Patrick Daniel Law, our Houston maritime lawyers are well-equipped to handle difficult maritime injury cases that other Houston maritime law firms find too complex. Houston maritime injury law, also known as admiralty law, has a lot of quirks and inconsistencies. It takes an experienced maritime injury attorney to be able to see these inconsistencies, and we find them every case that makes it to our Houston law office.
Houston maritime workers are at a disadvantage in some maritime cases. In other maritime injury cases, they have some advantages in their favor. But only a skilled Houston maritime attorney will be able to figure it all out. So, whether you’re in Houston, Harris County, Pasadena, Baytown or the outlying suburbs, if you’ve been injured at sea and are in need of a Houston maritime injury attorney, Patrick Daniel Law is here to help.
Offshore Injury Lawyer
If you’re a seaman, chances are that you already know how dangerous maritime work can be. Accidents can happen frequently and injuries are all too often. Many of these injuries leave maritime workers with severe health conditions and large medical bills. As an offshore worker, however, you have legal rights under general maritime law and the Jones Act that protects you in the event of injuries sustained while on the job. Since maritime law has its own sets of rules and regulations that are quite different from land-based laws when it comes to accidents and injuries, you’ll need an experienced offshore injury attorney who specializes in and has in-depth knowledge of maritime law and disability benefits.
What is an Offshore Injury Lawyer?
Offshore attorneys specifically focus on cases involving maritime law (sometimes known as admiralty law). These unique set of laws were written solely for the maritime industry and to help protect workers in the event of accidents, illnesses, and injuries. Maritime laws are different from any other type of disability law, including worker’s compensation, in that they are only provided to those who work offshore. These laws are extremely intricate and not all attorneys are equipped with the knowledge about how maritime laws, acts, and regulations work. An offshore attorney helps those who have been injured at work by applying their knowledge of maritime laws in order to assist their clients in receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
Why Do Seamen Need an Offshore Injury Lawyer?
When seamen are injured on the job, in a ship, or an offshore facility, they are legally entitled to receive compensation for their medical costs and living expenses while they recover. This compensation, known as maintenance and cure, is required by the provisions of general maritime law that govern personal injuries on the job. In many instances, however, employers and their insurers attempt to pay only a fraction of maintenance and cure or in some cases, not pay at all.
Employers usually want to deny that they are responsible for any injuries sustained by their workers on vessels and other offshore facilities. Not only does it hurt their profit margin, but it also stains their reputation. In many cases, they will not only dispute the claim, but they will retaliate against employees who seek compensation by making it difficult for claimants to find other maritime work. This retaliatory tactic is known as blacklisting.
Because offshore injuries occur far from where an investigation can be carried out without complications, it’s easy for a company to try to make things look more in its favor than in the injured worker’s. If an offshore accident occurs, the employer will send lawyers and investigators on short notice to make sure the evidence is tilted to fit its version of events and make it difficult for the injured person to make a successful claim. Offshore injury lawyers are experienced in detecting these types of tactics and trained to handle the intricacies that come with maritime cases.
Seamen may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages, additional medical expenses, and pain and suffering under the Jones Act. In addition, for maritime workers who may not qualify as a seaman, such as a harbor or longshoreman, other acts are in place that protect them in the event of an accident or injury. An experienced offshore injury lawyer will be able to explain your options to you and fight to ensure that you get the damages you’re entitled to.
What Types of Accidents and Injuries Does an Offshore Injury Lawyer Cover?
An offshore injury lawyer covers any maritime accident in which a seamen is injured due to the negligence of another party. Common examples include failure of employers to:
- Provide adequate safety training
- Ensure all equipment is in working, functioning order
- Provide proper safety gear and protective clothing
- Provide appropriate rest periods and breaks
- Make sure work areas are clear of dangerous materials and debris
- Provide warning signs in appropriate areas
- Ensure ladders and steps are stable and in functioning order
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