Seaman Injuries
Seaman injuries occur while a person is working aboard ships, rigs and platforms or while working at docking stations or manufacturing stations. Seaman injuries are subject to admiralty and maritime laws, and therefore are often treated differently by many insurance agencies and medical providers. Understanding these laws is important. Personal injury attorneys who specialize in offshore and seamen injuries can help answer your questions and determine who is responsible for your medical expenses.
Seaman injuries usually occur while working on oilrigs, production platforms, lay barges, supply boats and helicopters. If a seaman receives an offshore injury, for example, the Jones Act allows that seaman to seek compensation for lost wages and medical expenses if the injury was due to an act of negligence on the part of the employer or other workers. If the seaman dies, his family may file a wrongful death suit under the Jones act, maritime law or the Death on the High Seas Act.
Examples of neglect include hiring untrained employees, buying and installing faulty equipment and not replacing faulty equipment, having slippery working surfaces and sailing or working with malfunctioning equipment. Typical seamen injuries include those that happen when there is an explosion or crash or when equipment falls or fails to function. Injuries that occur include head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, bone breaks and fractures, paralysis and many more.
Which laws apply depend upon each individual situation. Questions for an attorney to consider include:
- How large was the vessel?
- Were you working at sea or vacationing?
- Where did the injury take place?
- What is your occupation?
- Who is your employer?