Maritime work includes some of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. Maritime employees—such as offshore oil rig workers, deckhands, and longshoremen—face daily risks that can result in serious, life-altering injuries. When an accident occurs in a maritime work environment, the legal process for obtaining compensation is very different from a standard workers’ compensation claim. A Lake Charles maritime injury lawyer could help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you are legally eligible to recover.
At Baggett McCall LLC, our personal injury attorneys represent injured maritime workers and their families. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial strain a maritime injury can cause, and we are committed to holding negligent employers, vessel owners, and third parties accountable.
Unlike most onshore workplace injuries, it is primarily federal law that governs maritime injuries. Depending on your job duties and where the injury occurred, your claim may fall under the Jones Act, the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (USL&H), or general maritime law.
Seamen who contribute to a vessel’s mission could pursue claims under the Jones Act. This law allows injured seamen to seek compensation for injuries caused by employer negligence, unsafe working conditions, or unseaworthy vessels.
Maritime workers who are not seamen—such as dock workers and shipyard employees—may qualify for benefits under the USL&H Act. This federal statute provides wage replacement and medical benefits without requiring proof of employer fault, and it often provides these at higher rates than state workers’ compensation systems.
Determining which law applies to your case can be challenging, and employers and insurance carriers often dispute a worker’s status to limit their own financial exposure. Having legal help for at-sea injury claims is therefore important, and our experienced attorneys in Lake Charles could help you protect your rights.
Maritime injuries often result from hazardous working conditions and demanding job environments. Common causes include:
These accidents can lead to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, crush injuries, burns, and wrongful death. Our Lake Charles lawyers could help you establish causation and gather evidence to support your maritime injury claim.
The compensation available in a maritime injury case depends on the applicable law and the circumstances of the accident. Our attorneys in Lake Charles could help you understand what you may recover for harm acquired during at-sea work. Compensation may include:
In Jones Act cases, compensation may also include damages for long-term disability and loss of quality of life. In fatal maritime accidents, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims to recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
At Baggett McCall LLC, we conduct thorough investigations into maritime accidents to identify all responsible parties. Our attorneys work with industry experts, accident reconstruction professionals, and medical specialists to build a strong case on your behalf.
We understand the methods used by maritime employers and insurers to deny or minimize claims. Our lawyers in Lake Charles are prepared to aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for your maritime injuries through negotiation or litigation when necessary.
Since we take these cases on contingency, you will not need to pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our focus is on protecting your rights while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
If you sustained injuries while working offshore or in a maritime environment, time is critical. Federal maritime laws impose strict deadlines, and early investigation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
A Lake Charles maritime injury lawyer could help you secure fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation, or call 337-478-8888 or 1-800-New-Claim (639-5246) to speak directly with one of our experienced attorneys.
