Terrebonne Parish Deckhand Maritime Injury Lawyer
Deckhands do just about everything – including working with cranes and forklifts that continually move and haul cargo. While working on a boat can be dangerous work, the risk of injury increases when boats have not been adequately maintained or simply are no longer seaworthy.
If you have been injured while working as a deckhand, contact a Terrebonne Parish deckhand maritime injury lawyer. An experienced maritime injury attorney can work to review the details of the accident, determine who might be responsible for your injuries, and discuss which course of action might be best for your situation.
Deckhands Injured on the Job Have Options
Deckhands work hard moving cargo, performing maintenance, and making sure that the job gets done right. That can be difficult to do when a boat is battling intense sea conditions or simply traveling at full speed.
Deckhands generally work in all types of weather conditions and are exposed to the elements. Bad or inclement weather can result in accidents – especially during busy times. Deckhands often experience injuries such as:
- Back and spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Ear and eye injuries
- Foot injuries
- Hernias
- Neck injuries
- Severe burns
- Shoulder injuries
If someone has sustained any of the injuries listed above from working on a dock, they should contact a Terrebonne Parish maritime attorney as soon as possible.
Deckhands Entitled to Compensation
Whatever type of injury suffered, deckhands still need to provide for themselves and their families when an accident occurs. Anyone who works in maritime and admiralty-related jobs may be entitled to compensation for lost income and medical bills when they are injured. These sources of compensation include:
- Maintenance and Cure Claim: Any seaman who is injured while in the service of the vessel is entitled to have all medical treatment for his injuries paid for by their employer. The injured seaman, if they so choose, are entitled to be treated by a physician of their choice and not the company doctor. This medical treatment is known as cure and the injured seaman should continue to receive treatment at the employer’s cost until they reach maximum medical improvement.The employer is also required to provide maintenance, the rough equivalent of room and board, so long as the seaman is not fit for duty. If the employer unfairly refuses to pay for medical treatment or begin payment of maintenance following notice, a Terrebonne Parish deckhand maritime injury attorney can force the employer to begin payment and seek damages for the unfair refusal. These damages can include attorney fees and in some cases punitive damages
- Unseaworthy Vessel Claim: Unseaworthy vessel claims (also known as vessel negligence claims) provide Louisianans in Terrebonne Parish who were injured while working on a boat or vessel with compensation if the vessel was not seaworthy or was dangerous
- Jones Act: The Jones Act, also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act, provides certain Louisiana maritime and admiralty workers in Terrebonne Parish with compensation when their illness or injury occurred while performing their duties
An experienced Terrebonne Parish deckhand maritime injury attorney can review the situation and determine what types of compensation may be available for surgical procedures, hospital bills, doctor bills, lost income and wages, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and anything else which may have been related to the accident. These laws were enacted for just that purpose and injured deckhands may be entitled to compensation.
Talk to a Terrebonne Parish Deckhand Maritime Injury Attorney
Anyone who has been injured while working as a deckhand should contact a Terrebonne Parish deckhand maritime injury lawyer to discuss their legal rights.
Maritime and admiralty laws can be complex, and receiving compensation can often be subject to completing the right forms, in the right way, and at a certain time. Failure to do that can delay receiving the compensation you need to provide for your family.
This is where having an experienced Terrebonne Parish deckhand maritime injury attorney can be of significant help. Contact a knowledgeable legal advocate at Kopfler & Hermann to find out more about the types of compensation your injury may qualify for when you have been injured.