Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Lawyer

If you were injured while working offshore or aboard a vessel based out of Lafayette, you may have the right to recover compensation under the Jones Act. As Lafayette Jones Act maritime accident lawyers, we help injured crew members stand up to negligent employers and get the support they need to move forward. Maritime work is dangerous, and when companies cut corners on safety, workers pay the price.

You deserve a team that knows how to hold them accountable. As Lafayette personal injury lawyers, we’ve recovered millions for workers across Louisiana, using strong case preparation, clear communication, and a full-team approach. At Poolson | Oden, we take on employers and insurance companies so you can focus on getting better. Call today for a free consultation.

You Have Rights After a Maritime Injury Near Lafayette

Working offshore or on the river out of Lafayette isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. But when something goes wrong on a vessel, the consequences can be life-changing. Whether you’re a deckhand, engineer, crane operator, or part of an offshore drilling crew, you face hazards most people never encounter. Slippery decks, faulty equipment, fatigue, and poor safety practices all increase your risk.

Unlike workers’ compensation, the Jones Act isn’t automatic. You must prove that your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury. But the law favors injured maritime workers by applying a lower burden of proof. Even a small failure, like faulty equipment or an unsafe procedure, may be enough to hold your employer accountable.

At Poolson | Oden, our Jones Act maritime accident lawyers help Lafayette seamen and maritime workers understand their rights and take action when those rights are violated. If your employer failed to protect you, we’ll help you fight back with a legal strategy designed to get you paid for what you’ve lost.

How Maritime Accidents Happen

Maritime injuries aren’t just bad luck, they’re often the result of poor maintenance, unsafe procedures, or employer shortcuts that put workers at risk. Whether you’re offshore in the Gulf or working inland on the waterways, danger comes fast when safety isn’t taken seriously.

Accidents often start with simple negligence: oil left on the deck, worn-out rigging, missing guardrails, or broken equipment that was never repaired. Some crew members are injured after falling from ladders, being struck by unsecured cargo, or suffering electrical burns from faulty gear. Others have been hurt in chemical exposures, sudden fires, or even overexertion during long, understaffed shifts.

When these incidents happen, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences are often serious and long-lasting. Whether the harm is visible or not, these injuries disrupt lives. If your employer could have prevented what happened, the Jones Act gives you the right to hold them accountable—and we’re here to help you do it. Call us now to get started.

The Right Jones Act Representation for Severe Maritime Injuries

With decades of experience representing maritime workers under the Jones Act, our Lafayette team has the knowledge and resources to handle complex, high-stakes injury claims on behalf of seamen and their families. Our team includes:

• Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Amputation Lawyers – Amputations can end a maritime career and leave a worker facing lifelong physical and emotional challenges. We help amputation victims pursue compensation for medical care, prosthetics, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Burn Injury Lawyers – Burn injuries are among the most painful and disfiguring injuries offshore workers can experience. Our lawyers fight for victims of fires, explosions, and chemical burns to recover full damages for treatment, scarring, and trauma.
• Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Explosion Injury Lawyers – Explosions on oil rigs, ships, or barges can cause catastrophic harm. We investigate the cause of the blast and hold negligent employers accountable for injuries such as head trauma, internal damage, and severe burns.
• Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Extremities Injury Lawyers – Crush injuries, fractures, and nerve damage to arms, hands, legs, or feet can limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks. We help injured seamen secure financial recovery for their treatment, lost earning capacity, and long-term disability.
• Lafayette Jones Act Maritime Accident Wrongful Death Lawyers – If your loved one died due to unsafe conditions or employer negligence at sea, our wrongful death lawyers can help you file a Jones Act claim for compensation. We pursue justice for grieving families facing financial and emotional loss.

What We Do for Injured Maritime Workers in Lafayette

When you’re hurt on the water, the pressure starts immediately. Your employer may question your story, delay your care, or push you toward a quick settlement in order to prevent further action. With Poolson | Oden on your side, you don’t have to handle any of it alone. Our job is to protect your rights and take on the legal burden so you can focus on getting better. Here’s what our Lafayette Jones Act maritime accident attorneys can do for you:

• Investigate the cause of your accident, including safety failures, equipment issues, and employer negligence.
• Secure and review medical records to connect your injury directly to the incident.
• Work with trusted doctors who understand the demands of maritime injuries.
• Preserve critical evidence before it disappears, including photos, reports, witness statements, and maintenance logs.
• Handle all communication with your employer, vessel owners, and insurance companies.
• Build a case for full compensation, including future earnings and long-term care.
• Prepare for trial from day one, so you’re never pressured to settle for less than you deserve.

When you’re ready to take the next step, we’re ready to go to work.

Lafayette Maritime Accident Victims Can Recover Damages Under the Jones Act

The impact of a maritime injury goes far beyond the moment it happens. At Poolson | Oden, we pursue every category of damages permitted by law, including:

• Medical expenses, from emergency treatment and surgery to rehab and long-term care.
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity, including wages you’ve lost during recovery and the long-term impact if you are unable to work in your previous role or at your former earning level.
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional stress caused by the accident.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement, including permanent impairments or visible injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life, for the ways your injury limits your daily activities, hobbies, or relationships.

Remember, the Jones Act has a strict three-year statute of limitations per 46 U.S.C. § 30106. Waiting too long to take action can cost you your right to recover. The sooner you can reach out to us, the sooner we can get to work on your claim.

The First Moves After a Maritime Accident in Lafayette That Protect Your Rights

If you’ve been injured working offshore or aboard a vessel, what you do in the hours and days that follow can make or break your claim. Even before you contact a lawyer, there are steps you can take to protect your health, your job, and your right to compensation under the Jones Act.

Report the Injury Immediately and Document What You Can

Tell your supervisor or captain as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Delayed reporting gives employers room to question your credibility.

If you’re able to do so, take photos of the area, equipment, and your injuries. Get the names of witnesses who saw what happened.

Get Medical Attention and Prioritize Your Health and Recovery

Ask for medical care right away. If you’re sent to a company doctor, keep notes on what’s said and done. You have the right to seek a second opinion.

Make sure you get rest and follow the doctor’s orders. If you do not follow medical advice, you could make your injuries worse and even weaken your claim for damages. Keep records of every appointment, diagnosis, and recommendation to help provide proof of injuries and expenses.

Don’t Sign Anything

You may be pressured to give a statement or sign paperwork. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.

Once you’ve taken these steps, it’s time to call a lawyer who knows how to protect maritime workers. We’re ready when you are.

Our Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help You After a Maritime Accident Caused By Negligence

You’ve worked hard to support your crew, your family, and your future. Now it’s our turn to support you. If you were injured offshore or on a vessel out of Lafayette, you may be entitled to significant compensation under the Jones Act, and our Lafayette Jones Act maritime accident lawyers are ready to fight for it.

Call Poolson | Oden today for a free consultation. There’s no pressure, no upfront cost, and no fee unless we win for you.