Maritime work is rewarding, but dangerous, work. Whether you work onshore or on a vessel offshore, if you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. A New Orleans maritime lawyer could help you understand your legal options.
Maritime workers who are injured on the job typically are protected by one of the following federal laws: The Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Let’s review the key aspects of each of these laws.
The Jones Act protects “seamen,” which is generally defined to mean maritime workers who spend a significant amount of their work time on a vessel in navigable waters – that is, workers whose main job function takes place offshore. Essentially, if you spend at least 30% of your work time on the water, contributing to the work of a navigable vessel, you are covered by The Jones Act.
Shipping lane at Seattle terminals at night
The Jones Act establishes a right to compensation for injuries that occur in the course of your employment, as a result of your employer’s negligence. “Negligence” means unreasonably careless conduct. Some examples of negligent conduct by an employer that might result in a seaman being injured include:
The employer’s negligence may result in injuries caused by, for example, a slip and fall accident; a falling object; an explosion; a chemical leak or other exposure to a toxic substance; or a mishap with heavy machinery.
If you are able to establish that you were injured as a result of your employer’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation for:
To ensure that you recover the full amount of compensation and benefits to which you are entitled, consult with an experienced New Orleans Maritime attorney before you sign anything or make any statements.
Not all maritime workers are seamen. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) protects maritime workers not covered by the Jones Act. More specifically, the LHWCA protects maritime workers who work on or near the water, but whose primary job functions take place on the land – for example, harbor workers, dock workers, shipbuilders and repairers, and harbor crane operators and construction workers. Just because you work at a shipyard or shipping terminal, however, does not mean you are covered by the LHWCA. You must be actively engaged in maritime work; thus, for example, office workers and individuals who build, maintain or repair recreational boats are not covered.
If you are a covered maritime worker, and you are injured on the job, on or at a facility near navigable water (e.g., at a harbor or wharf or anywhere ships are loaded or unloaded), then you may be entitled to disability benefits and compensation for medical treatment. Likewise, you may be entitled to benefits and compensation if you contract an “occupational disease,” which means an illness contracted as a result of exposure to harmful substances or conditions during your employment.
Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may be entitled to recover benefits for:
For purposes of the LHWCA, you are “disabled” if you are unable to earn the same wages you earned before your injury. Benefits are paid based on your “average weekly wage” at the time you were injured.
The LHWCA also provides for medical benefits, including compensation for “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment, medical supplies, diagnostic tests, physical therapy and other medical services, including reimbursement for the cost of travel for all such treatment.
Depending on the nature of your injuries, you also may be entitled to receive vocational rehabilitation services.
If you are injured on the job, you should seek medical treatment right away. In addition, in order to obtain LHWCA benefits, you must report the injury to your employer and file a written claim for compensation. Strict deadlines apply to the reporting and filing requirements, so do not delay. If your employer challenges your claim for compensation and medical benefits, you may be asked to submit additional documentation in support of your claim and may have to engage in a formal hearing process to resolve the dispute. This process can be time-consuming and frustrating. Our experienced New Orleans Maritime attorneys can help. We can complete the paperwork and deal with your employer and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs so that you can focus on taking care of your health and your family.
If you work on or near the navigable waters of the Gulf Coast, and you are injured in the course of your employment, you may be entitled to compensation and benefits. Our experienced New Orleans Maritime lawyers can assess your situation and help you navigate the legal process. Call us today or use the Contact form on this page to reach us by email.
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