When Should I Hire Maritime Attorneys?

Filing a claim after being injured while in the service of a vessel or performing other such duties while at sea can be a complex and complicated process. There are specific types of forms workers must complete and submit through their employers. It is essential to submit forms and responses in a timely manner. However, before doing so, it is best to consult with maritime attorneys first.

Your maritime injury lawyer will inform you of your legal rights and whether you could potentially be entitled to receive additional monetary compensation for your injuries well above what you are currently being offered.

In several cases, the injured party’s employer is a contractor hired by another company to do the work at sea. As a result, aside from your employer, there could be situations where one could also be entitled to file an injury claim against the owner or operator of the ship, oil rig, etc.

Furthermore, there are several different variations in the laws governing what an injured person is entitled to receive, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. To illustrate, any individual who is injured is protected under Maintenance and Cure. This provision provides financial relief to cover basic expenses while recovering from injuries, no matter who was at fault, including:

• Medical Bills
• Housing Payment (Rent or Mortgage)
• Property Taxes
• Food
• General Utilities (i.e., Electric, Gas, and Water)
• Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance

In the event the accident was caused due to the negligence of the employer, owner, or operator, then the employee could have further protections provided under the Jones Act. Even if one is not at sea, there are still remedies under maritime laws for longshoremen, harbor dock workers, and dockside shipyards, and shipping terminals.

In order to determine which maritime laws you are protected under and to receive a reasonable and fair settlement, you would want to hire a qualified and experienced maritime lawyer. Please feel free to contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with one of our maritime lawyers today!