Houma Work Boat Accident Lawyer
The hard-working people of Louisiana who work on boats for a living likely appreciate how difficult, and sometimes dangerous, working on the water can be. It only takes one trip or one slip to cause a serious injury which can put you in the hospital or keep you from working – instead of providing for your family.
If you have been involved in a Louisiana work boat accident, contact a Houma work boat accident lawyer to discuss your accident and injury. Your experienced legal team can review what legal options you may have regarding your employer’s responsibility, and determine which course of action makes sense for you.
What Vessels Are Commonly Involved in Boat Accidents?
The Louisiana coastline is home to various water-based industries from shrimping, to oil and gas exploration and production, and everything in between. Some of the most common types of boats on Louisiana’s waters include:
- Cargo freighters
- Oil tankers
- Jack-up boats
- Supply boats
- Derrick barges
- Pipeline lay barges
- Tenders
- Tug and towboats
- Anchor-handling tugboats
- Barges
- Dredges
- Fishing vessels
- Crew boats
- Service boats
- Riverboats and ferries
- Recreational and passenger boats
- Commercial diving boats
- Drilling rigs, platforms, and semi-submersible platforms
Even cruise ships and casino ships can be found cruising Gulf Coast waters. Regardless of the type of boat someone works aboard, wet conditions, rough waters, and faulty equipment can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), broken bones, and more. A persistent work boat accident lawyer in Houma can work tirelessly to help an injured party recover damages for their injuries.
How Maritime Injuries are Compensated
Employees who cannot work due to their injuries still have to feed their families and pay their bills. However, there are various forms of boat worker compensation which may be available to those who work on boats for a living, including the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Unseaworthy Vessel Claim, and, the Jones Act.
The Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides disabled longshore and harbor workers with medical coverage, compensation, and vocational rehabilitation services. Unseaworthy vessel claims (also known as vessel negligence claims) provide those who were injured while working on a boat or vessel with compensation if the vessel was not seaworthy or was dangerous.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act, also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act provides sailors with compensation when their illness or injury occurred due to employer or co-employee negligence while performing their duties. An experienced Houma work boat injury attorney can review the situation and determine what types of compensation may be available – and from whom.
Working With a Houma Work Boat Accident Attorney
Anyone who has been injured in Louisiana when working on any type or boat or vessel – or while in a harbor or shipyard – should contact a Houma work boat accident lawyer to determine what types of compensation may be available to them.
This can include lost income, the payment of medical expenses to those whose injury will heal to vocation rehabilitation services and possibly Social Security Disability (SSD – also known as Social Security Disability Insurance – SSDI) to those who may have become permanently disabled.
There may also be other avenues to receiving the compensation you need to provide for your family that are not readily apparent. This is where having a seasoned attorney on your side can help the most. Find out more about what types of compensation your injury may qualify for by calling today.