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Offshore lawyers can help injured maritime workers
Working on seas or oceans involves many risks, including that of severe injuries or even death. The U.S. government over the years issued a series of laws to protect this group of employees, exactly because the higher risk of injuries seamen are exposed to.
The legal term seamen includes the following employees: cruise ship workers, dock and ferry workers, fishermen, longshoremen, oil workers, seamen and officers, technicians and engineers who work aboard sea vessels, tug and barge hands and other individuals. They are exposed to a series of potential injuries like back or neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, broken bones, disfigurement, lost limbs and other permanent disabilities.
If maritime employees suffer any of these injuries, after they assured their own safety, they can contact an offshore injury lawyer. Unlike other employees, who can rely only on worker’s compensation, maritime workers can be compensated according to the Jonas Act. The Jonas Act is a set of federal laws, created in 1920. According to them maritime employers have the responsibility to provide a reasonably safe working environment. If they fail to do so and one of their employees gets hurt, they can be held legally responsible.
Unlike worker’s compensation which only covers medical bills and lost wages, The Jonas Act offers more rights to injured employees. They can be compensated also for present and future medical care, pain and suffering, future costs of living and deterioration of life style. However in order to benefit from this legal rights, injured seamen should contact an experienced maritime lawyer, familiar with the complicated admiralty legal system.
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If you have been injured during your work at sea, don't hesitate contacting an
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