Chicago Maritime Injury Attorneys – Illinois

Whenever people think of workplace injuries, they often don’t immediately associate them with the maritime industry. Unfortunately, thousands of men and women are hurt every single year while working on a ship or boat. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP is a Houston personal injury attorneys firm that fights tirelessly for your rights in compensation after a serious accident at work. Maritime workers are often injured because of poor safety standards and failure to follow proper protocols. There are numerous reasons why people suffer injuries at work, such as:

• Unsafe working conditions
• Personal negligence
• The actions or inactions of another person
• Employer’s negligence

If you’ve been the victim of a maritime injury, it is critical that you know your rights. The legal team at our personal injury and Jones Act law firm will fight aggressively on your behalf to obtain compensation for medical expenses and other related damages. You need an experienced lawyer fighting for your best interests; don’t delay speaking with one of our attorneys today. Contact us to discover more about who we are and what we do to make sure the victims of accidents on boats or ships receive their due compensation.

WHAT IS MARITIME LAW?

A maritime lawyer works with specific cases that involve maritime law and the Jones Act. Maritime law governs matters that involve ships, shipping, insurance claims, and civil matters that occur in the fresh waters within the United States, as well as coastal lines of the U.S., like the Gulf of Mexico.

Maritime law is applied when an employee is injured at sea. This law is different from personal injury and workers’ compensation that apply to incidents that happen on land. The Jones Act protects the specific rights of the employees when they qualify under the law. The Jones Act allows a maritime lawyer to bring legal actions on the behalf of an injured employee.

WHEN SHOULD I FILE A CLAIM?

Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. are your go-to maritime attorneys in Chicago. Common injury claims filed by seamen include:

• Defective design
• Lack of proper safety training before permitting seamen to perform their duties
• Failure to perform regular check-ups on all equipment and parts
• Negligence of co-workers
• Sunken vessels from leaking oil
• Loss of vessel from poor construction

The sooner you contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP, the sooner we can start working on your case. Maritime accidents have a statute of limitations placed on them when it comes to filing a claim. That means filing soon after you have suffered an injury can help you get the compensation you need.

Our law firm can handle any maritime injury claim in Chicago. If your employer isn’t providing medical care or your employer denies benefits after suffering a work-related accident, we can help. Let us take on your case and protect your rights in court to make sure you receive the settlement package you deserve.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMPENSATION I CAN RECOVER FOR A MARITIME INJURY?

Our experienced team of lawyers will fight aggressively on your behalf for full compensation including:

Lost wages – This includes the amount of money you lost since your accident without work. This can include pay, bonuses, and any other monetary fees that were missed due to an injury on the job.

Medical expenses – These are costs related to medical treatment or medications that are approved by a doctor for injuries received during work.

Loss of benefits – If you have paid into any benefits at your place of employment, including 401K plans, long-term disability plans, unpaid vacation days, flexible spending accounts, etc., you are entitled to compensation for those losses as well.

Pain and suffering – You may also be able to receive compensation for how your injury impacted your life outside of your lost wages. A maritime attorney will fight with every resource available to ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.

No two cases are similar, so it is important to have an experienced lawyer who understands how to handle every detail of your case. Contact our firm today to speak with a representative or submit your information for a free consultation.

HOW OUR MARITIME LAWYERS CAN HELP

Our attorneys have years of experience and knowledge of maritime law in Chicago. Here at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. we are dedicated to helping victims get the fair compensation that they are entitled to under the Jones Act and other maritime laws. The compensation will cover any losses after the accident such as; medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

Injured seamen and other maritime workers deserve to have their rights protected under admiralty law. Maintenance and cure is an implied term of employment under admiralty law that requires a vessel owner to provide food, medical services and supplies, and shelter for the injured seaman until he can once again work.

Whether you suffered a personal injury in an offshore accident, on a cruise, or on a harbor, we can fight to hold any employers accountable for their negligence.

We can assist you in developing a legal strategy, gathering evidence to make the case stronger, and answer any legal questions that you may have. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us today for a free evaluation.