The job of a deckhand can be both taxing and rewarding, but it also contains dangers unique to the job. Serious injuries or even a potential deadly accident may occur when a deckhand is on the job, but an experienced maritime injury attorney like Elissa M. Coombs can help protect your rights to compensation following an injury. Federal law provides for certain protections for you after an accident. If you were injured while working on a boat, let an Olive Branch deckhand injury lawyer help you seek justice. The Law Office of David E. Gordon is ready to stand with you during this difficult period.
Deckhand Injuries on the Job
When a deckhand gets in an accident, the injuries they may face can be gravely consequential for their health, daily life functions, and finances. Major physical injuries can lead to high expense costs that can greatly add to the stress and psychological harm the client suffers. Injuries common to deckhand accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of fingers or limbs
- Toxic substance exposure
- Electrical shocks
- Fire or chemical burns
- Death and drowning
These types of injuries, among many others that are possible, reflect the unique dangers that a worker faces while on the job. A deckhand injury attorney in Olive Branch could help a person with their lawsuit no matter what kind of injuries they sustained.
Deckhands and Maritime Law
When a deckhand is injured while working a ship in “navigable waters,” they are usually subject to maritime law. Navigable waters refers to any waterway that supports commercial navigation. This may include injuries to deckhands who are working on:
- Yachts
- Ferries
- Cruise ships
- Barges
- Oil rigs
- Riverboats
- Dive boats
- Fishing boats
- Commercial boats
These types of watercrafts, and potentially many others on navigable waters, including the Mississippi River, may be subject to federal maritime law when a worker has been injured and is pursuing compensation.
The Jones Act: Protecting the Rights of Deckhands
With the assistance of an Olive Branch deckhand injury attorney, a client may seek compensation through the Jones Act. A deckhand who contributes to the mission or function of a vessel spends at least 30 percent of their time onboard a ship, and has duties that are of a seagoing nature and expose him or her to the perils of the sea river, likely qualifies under the Act.
Under the federal law, a deckhand can seek personal injury damages from their employer, with a right to trial by jury, when the requisite criteria for eligibility are met. Employees must prove that the employer was negligent and somehow at fault for the deckhand’s injuries.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
For deckhands who do not spend at least 30 percent of their time on an active vessel, they may instead be protected by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. This act is also designed to provide protections to deckhands who were injured on the job, but who are more land-based. Determining which law applies can be somewhat difficult without the assistance of qualified counsel, so utilizing a skilled attorney is highly recommended.
Seek Counsel from an Olive Branch Deckhand Injury Attorney
After a major accident that has left you injured, you need to assess your avenues for financial compensation. Understanding your rights with the help of seasoned counsel like Elissa M. Coombs may help you secure the monetary compensation you deserve. For assistance in analyzing and pursuing your potential claim, place a call to an Olive Branch deckhand injury lawyer as soon as possible.
