If you have been injured while working in the open sea on a ship, you could be entitled to compensation. A maritime lawyer works on these specific cases that involve all aspects of trade, transportation, and passenger travel by open sea on a boat. Call Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. to speak with a top-rated Seattle maritime lawyer about your Jones Act case. We offer a free consultation and experienced legal representation for maritime workers in the local Seattle area.
Maritime law governs all matters that involve shipping, insurance claims, and civil matters that occur in freshwaters within the United States, as well as coastal lines of the U.S. These laws include all aspects of injury for individuals under the distinction of seamen—a person who spends a majority of their time working on a ship. Maritime law firms deal specifically with cases that fall under the purview of maritime admiralty law.
Compensation for maritime injuries usually falls under the following categories:
Lost earnings. If you are unable to work because of your injuries, you should be compensated for the loss of income.
Medical expenses. Maritime law requires that all people injured on a ship or boat must be provided with medical care. The owner of the ship is responsible for paying these fees—and they can come at no small price, as some insurance companies will try to push back against claims by arguing that these costs aren’t “reasonable.”
Pain and suffering damages. It’s not fair, but it happens anyway: if someone else is negligent (like someone neglecting to properly maintain their equipment), and they end up injuring you, they need to compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Lost wages. If your injuries have caused you to miss time from work, you are entitled to compensation for your lost wages. We can utilize the evidence needed, such as bank statements and pay stubs, to recover your lost wages. If your injuries are severe enough, you can also seek compensation for future lost wages if you have been projected to miss extensive time from work.
Loss of consortium. Maritime law is very unique in that spouses can receive compensation for a loss of consortium as a result of their spouse being injured on the job at sea. This includes any type of expense, such as household services and child care expenses, caused by the injury to your spouse.
General maritime law helps protect maritime workers injured due to negligence. The maritime industry can be unforgiving when it comes to accidents. That is why it is critical that all of your rights are upheld following your injuries. For example, maintenance and cure is a legal right exclusive to maritime workers. If a worker is injured on a boat, they are entitled to cure from the shipowner.
Maritime injury claims are a good way for injured maritime workers, injured seamen, and injured commercial fishermen hurt on fishing vessels to recover compensation for their medical bills and other damages. We can take the stress out of filing an injury claim by advising you every step of the way and fighting to hold the negligent parties accountable for your injuries.
Pursuing a claim under maritime law can be very complicated. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris L.L.P. are experienced maritime lawyers in Seattle.
Most common injuries filed by crew members include:
Our attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. are dedicated to getting victims the fair compensation they are entitled to under the Jones Act. When pursuing a case, you want to be sure your longshoremen lawyer is well-versed in the complexities of maritime law. If you’re searching for a maritime injury attorney in Seattle, we can assist you by developing a legal strategy for your claim and securing you the compensation that will cover any losses or expenses. Our phones are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call today to get a free consultation with an offshore injury lawyer.
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