For maritime workers hurt offshore and on the water, it can be difficult to know how to recover compensation to pay for your medical care, lost income, and other expenses. A New Orleans Jones Act maritime accident lawyer from our team can help you understand your rights and explain how these cases work.
When you work with our team at Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers, you have more than 52 years of combined experience on your side. Our New Orleans personal injury lawyers know how to navigate maritime accidents and injury claims.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you. We provide free, confidential consultations.
What Damages Will a New Orleans Jones Act Maritime Accident Attorney Seek for Me?
At Poolson | Oden, our team have recovered more than $26 million for our clients in the last 5 years. We know how important securing a financial recovery is for you and your family, especially if you have lasting impairments or cannot return to working on the water because of serious injuries.
As a part of managing your Jones Act case, our team will make sure that your company continues paying Maintenance and Cure while you are undergoing medical treatment for your on-duty injuries.
We also gather evidence to document your expenses and losses related to your accident and injuries. In order to secure a favorable result, we must prove that your company was negligent, and then we can hold the liable party accountable and recover money for expenses and losses related to:
- Your medical care costs for injury treatment, current and future
- Emergency evacuation from your vessel, if necessary
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity for lasting injuries
- Non-economic damages, such as physical pain and suffering, disability, and disfigurement
If your loved one died from their maritime accident injuries, our team is here to provide support and legal representation, too. We handle wrongful death cases for families whose loved ones died while working on open waters or on vessels that operate offshore.
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Our New Orleans Jones Act Attorneys Have the Knowledge and Skillset to Manage Maritime Accident Cases
At Poolson | Oden, we uphold Our Promise to You: Your health and well-being always come first. We will ensure you get the care you need and are well on your way to recovery while we begin working toward putting all the pieces together to successfully settle and close your case. This ensures we have a full view of your injuries and future care needs.
When you hire us, you have our full team behind you. We work together to ensure we are fighting for top dollar for our clients based on the applicable laws, the unique facts of your case, and your injuries and medical treatment.
We understand the importance of filing your case in the best venues and courts, and we work tirelessly to discover all information necessary to protect your case and secure a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Our firm also handles these cases based on contingency fee. We know you do not want to pay money upfront for fees and costs right now while you are under financial stress because of your accident.
We only get paid from the money we recover for you. We never ask you for a penny or to come out of pocket for any of the legal expenses in your case. We do not get paid unless and until we obtain a recovery for you. Contact us today to learn more.
Our Maritime Injury Lawyers Explain How Jones Act Claims Work
The Jones Act provides a way for workers on sea-faring vessels to get compensation for on-the-job injuries and work-related illnesses. Because these workers work offshore, typical workers’ compensation laws set by state statutes do not apply. The Jones Act is found under 46 U.S. Code § 30104. It is a part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.
The Jones Act covers workers on ships, barges, fishing boats, oil rigs, and other types of vessels. When these workers are hurt onboard, have chronic injuries related to work, or have a work-related illness, they may file a case based on the Jones Act.
A Jones Act claim is a lawsuit against your employer company that caused or is vicariously liable for your injuries. Other potential maritime claims may be made against your employer, the vessel owner, or the boat captain all depending on the relationships of each potential party. If a co-worker such as a boat captain is responsible, the employer is likely vicariously liable for their actions.
Jones Act Claims Are Often Complex
Most workplace injury lawyers do not handle Jones Act maritime accident cases. The lawsuits filed based on the Jones Act are significantly different from workers’ compensation or even third-party injury claims.
A Jones Act case requires specialized experience most law firms do not have unless they handle maritime injury cases regularly. Our team has the experience to manage these complex claims.
You only have one chance to recover compensation based on your maritime injuries. Choose our team and you choose a team of attorneys who know how to handle the process and fight for fair compensation.
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What Are Some Common Maritime Accidents and Injuries Covered by the Jones Act?
Almost any type of accident and injury that occurs because of someone else’s negligence while working on a sea-faring vessel could qualify you to file a Jones Act case. Some examples of accidents that could occur onboard include:
- Fires and explosions
- Falls
- Equipment failures
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Chemical exposures
- Vessel collisions
- Groundings
- Man overboard incidents
- Line or cable accidents
The injuries possible in these accidents are wide-ranging. This could include:
- Thermal, electrical, or chemical burns
- Respiratory injuries, like those associated with smoke or chemical inhalation
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries and internal injuries
- Amputations
- Severe lacerations
- Whiplash or other neck injuries
- Hypothermia
- Drowning or near-drowning injuries
- Musculoskeletal injuries
How Long do I Have to Sue Based on My Accident and Injuries?
The deadline to file a lawsuit in a Jones Act case is set by a federal statute of limitations, 46 U.S. Code § 30106. This statute of limitations offers most people up to three years to sue the liable party or parties and seek compensation.
However, you want to act quickly after your accident to ensure you have the best opportunity to develop a strong case and recover a fair payout.
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Discuss Your Maritime Accident With Our New Orleans Jones Act Team
Our team at Poolson | Oden will assess your case and offer guidance during a free, confidential consultation. You can learn how a New Orleans Jones Act maritime accident lawyer from our team will fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now to get started.