If you were hurt while serving on a seafaring vessel in the Gulf of Mexico or other international waters, you may be able to recover benefits, including medical care costs and lost income. The attorneys from Morris Bart in Baton Rouge may be able to help.
You can learn about your legal rights and the actions you can take to seek compensation during a free case review with our team. We provide complimentary case assessments for sailors and others hurt at work on open waters.
Financial Recovery May Be Possible After an Offshore Injury or Jones Act Accident
The Jones Act and other federal statutes establish duties for boat owners and others responsible for workers on offshore vessels. These duties include providing the proper tools and protective equipment, securing the right training, and taking steps to reduce the risks sailors face.
Workers can suffer injuries when a boat owner, company owner, or other party fails to uphold these obligations. Because of the federal laws, those injured workers have an opportunity to seek financial benefits that include:
- Related medical care through the date of the claim
- Future treatment and care costs
- Lost income and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Additional expenses with receipts
- Pain and suffering and other intangible damages
What Happens If My Loved One Suffered a Wrongful Death from Their Injuries?
The Jones Act is only one of several statutes that protect those working on seafaring vessels and their families. The Death on the High Seas Act is another statute that addresses deadly injuries at sea.
This section of federal law lets certain family members take legal action based on the death of their loved one. This generally includes the same immediate family members who could pursue a wrongful death action if the injuries occurred in Baton Rouge.
To qualify to pursue compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act, you will need to prove:
- Your family member suffered injuries while working at least three nautical miles offshore
- They worked on a qualifying seafaring vessel
- They died from their injuries
For a free legal consultation with a Offshore Injury and Jones Act Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call (225) 341-5694
Morris Bart Injury and Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Sailors on Seafaring Vessels
Morris Bart has over 40 years of experience helping injured workers seek compensation to cover their treatment, wage losses, and more. This includes investigating, developing, and pursuing injury cases on the open ocean, such as in the Gulf of Mexico.
We may also be able to help others injured on a seafaring ship, such as passengers on cruise ships or volunteers on research vessels. We are a contingency fee firm with 15 locations serving the Gulf South. Our attorneys worked to secure compensation for more than 6,500 clients in 2019 in the following states:
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Arkansas
To learn how Morris Bart in Baton Rouge may be able to assist your pursuit of financial recovery after your offshore injuries, reach out to our team today. Our attorneys may be able to manage your claim or represent you in a civil trial.
Does the Jones Act Cover My Offshore Injury?
The Jones Act, also known as 46 USC § 30104, is a section of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. This act allows qualifying workers hurt on offshore vessels to seek compensation. Under this act, the ship must be seafaring. This could include sailors and other workers on:
- Fishing boats
- Cargo ships
- Barges
- Passenger ships
- Oil rigs
The Jones Act may cover you if you suffered injury or illness related to your work on an offshore vessel. There are other maritime laws to help those hurt while working on one of these vessels in the harbor, in a dry dock, or in other locations that are not offshore. This includes the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).
The team from Morris Bart in Baton Rouge can help you understand the maritime statutes that apply to your case and explain how you may be able to seek compensation. Connect with us today for your free assessment.
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Who Is Liable for My Offshore Injuries in a Jones Act Claim?
The Jones Act provides a way to develop a case against the party responsible for your safety while working offshore. The liability in these cases depends on the specific details of your case, but it could rest with:
- The owner of the vessel
- The captain of the boat
- Your employer
- Another party
As part of investigating offshore injury accidents, our team identifies potentially liable parties in your case. This is one of the first necessary steps in holding them accountable and seeking financial recovery.
In many cases, it may be possible to recover an appropriate settlement based on an insurance claim in this type of case. Most boat owners, captains, and other liable parties have insurance policies to cover injured workers, and our lawyers know how to develop a case to support a fair payout agreement.
Is There a Deadline for Filing My Claim?
There is a statute of limitations for Jones Act accident cases. Victims generally have up to three years to begin a lawsuit per 46 USC § 30106. Exceptions exist that could make this deadline arrive sooner.
We must take many steps before filing the paperwork to begin a Jones Act lawsuit. We recommend contacting Morris Bart in Baton Rouge as soon as possible after your injuries are stable. This allows us to evaluate your case and determine how quickly you must act to protect your rights.
Talk to Our Team Today About Your Offshore Injury Case
Morris Bart in Baton Rouge will assess your offshore injuries case for free. We provide complimentary consultations to those injured in seafaring vessels. You can discuss your Jones Act accident with us today. Call (225) 341-5694 to get started today.
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