Offshore Accident Lawyer

An offshore accident lawyer is a type of lawyer specialized in maritime laws, particularly relating to damages caused resulting from offshore accidents. They are legal professionals trained in legally pursuing maritime businesses, insurance companies, governments or other organizations in the event of an offshore accident to recover compensatory damages for their negligent acts or omissions, gross negligence, willful misconduct or other. 

If you need help with an offshore accident case, you can contact an offshore accident lawyer for a free evaluation of your case. 

Common Types Of Offshore Accidents

Some common types of offshore accidents include barge accidents, tugboat accidents, falling objects, slip and fall, trips and falls overboard, fires, extreme temperature exposure and explosions. Offshore injuries incurred from these accidents can include severe burns, head trauma, back injuries and even drowning. 

What to do if Injured in Offshore Accident

If you are injured in an offshore accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. This is especially important if you are injured seriously. Many offshore accidents result in serious injuries, and it is essential to get the treatment you need as soon as possible. Seeking medical attention has two main advantages. First, it ensures that you receive the care you need to recover from your injuries. Second, it creates a record of your injuries that can be used as evidence in your case. 

You should also report the injury to your supervisor and file a workers' compensation claim³. It is important to remember that you have the right to seek legal representation if you are injured offshore³. An experienced offshore injury lawyer can help you gather evidence, build your case, and get your deserved compensation. 

Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by United States citizens or permanent residents¹³. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act, is a protectionist law that regulates maritime shipping in the United States¹. The Jones Act requires that any cargo traveling by sea between two U.S. ports must sail on an American-owned ship, built in the United States and with a majority crew of U.S. citizens. 

The Jones Act was passed in order to prevent the U.S. from having insufficient maritime capacity in future wars. 

It includes dredging and salvage operations. 

How does the Jones Act protect maritime workers?

The Jones Act gives qualified maritime workers the right to sue their employer for injuries suffered on the job. 

The law also requires a mariner's employer to provide a reasonably safe working environment. 

If the captain or any other employee is negligent for another employee's injuries, then the employer may be held liable and sued by the injured party. 

The Jones Act outlines a set of international laws that regulate maritime commerce. Its primary objective is to protect the jobs and interests of American laborers, many of whom are seafarers (sailors). 

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – commonly known as the Jones Act – is a federal law protecting injured mariners by giving them the right to sue their employer for negligence. 

Workers covered under the Jones Act include seamen, longshoremen, harbor workers, and other maritime workers. 

The Jones Act provides an injured worker the right to sue an employer for negligence. 

How much compensation can I get for an offshore injury?

If you have been injured while working on an offshore vessel, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury. 

The amount of compensation you can receive for an offshore injury depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances that contributed to them. 

If you win your offshore injury lawsuit, you may receive financial compensation for medical costs and expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, medication, medical supplies, lost wages, lost earnings capacity, past and future economic loss, mental and emotional trauma, physical pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement (if applicable), including loss of limbs, eye loss and/or hearing loss.