Maritime workers tend to face catastrophic injuries because they work in harsh conditions on the river, where there may be drops of 15 feet to a steel bottom or breakdown of equipment. There are lines or wires that can snap and cause amputations, or a serious incident could cause them to fall overboard.
Laws that govern maritime injuries vary and are difficult to understand, but a knowledgeable personal injury attorney from the Law Office of David E. Gordon can help. A Bartlett maritime injury lawyer like Elissa M. Coombs has experience with these challenging cases and can work to recover everything the law allows after your injury or the death of your loved one.
Unique Maritime Laws
One of the most important duties a lawyer has in a maritime case is determining which laws apply to an incident. Depending on the situation, federal maritime law for workers, state law, or general maritime law (which refers to case law that applies in all maritime cases) could apply.
After an injury or accidental death occurs, there is a specific time frame in which the vessel owner must report the incident to the Coast Guard or various state agencies. A Bartlett maritime injury lawyer can come on board and make sure the vessel owner reports to the federal or state agencies, as they are supposed to do regarding the incident.
Another unique maritime situation concerns the collection and preservation of evidence. Nearly all towboats on the inland waters have electronic equipment in the wheelhouse that record the towboat’s movements, and actions of the pilot or captain in the wheelhouse, for a period of time. When an injury occurs, it is important a lawyer comes on board, puts the maritime tortfeasor on notice, and sends a preservation of evidence letter so the evidence does not disappear.
An injured person should get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible following a maritime accident. Elissa M. Coombs at the Law Office of David Gordon has handled maritime injury cases for over twenty years, knows the ins and outs of maritime law, and can argue for the maximum compensation.
Recoverable Compensation
When maritime workers are injured, they may have the right to sue their employer under the Jones Act. People who work on docks, oil rigs, and shipyards and are hurt while performing jobs related to maritime operations could recover compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Both economic (financial) and non-economic forms of compensation may be available, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Lost wages and ability to work
- Medical bills, including hospital treatment
- Future earning capacity due to catastrophic injury
A lawyer in Bartlett with experience in maritime injury cases can determine what compensation an injured worker is eligible for.
Contact a Maritime Injury Attorney in Bartlett Quickly
When you are injured at your maritime job or lose a loved one in an accident, contact a lawyer at the Law Office of David E. Gordon as soon as possible. A Bartlett maritime injury lawyer can start working on your behalf to gather evidence, make sure it is preserved, and ensure your immediate rights are taken care of as soon as possible.
Contact us today to schedule your free confidential consultation.
