Baton Rouge Jones Act Attorneys

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What is an Offshore Accident?

When a serious or fatal injury occurs on a vessel that is on a body of water, it is referred to as an offshore accident. The definition, however, also includes any property damage that you might encounter. No matter if you work on an offshore oil rig, tugboat or production platform, you are at risk for experiencing a maritime injury. Although those accidents are the most common, the same laws apply to commercial fishing accidents and injuries that occur on the deck of a vessel.

What Is the Jones Act?

The federal government has placed several laws into effect that serve to protect those who get injured in a maritime accident. Those who work offshore understand the risks to which they are exposing themselves on a daily basis, but they have no choice if they want to maintain their livelihood. You will always need to take safety precautions to reduce the odds of an incident, but nothing can eliminate the threat. You can only control your actions, but your safety also depends on the choices of your employer and co-workers.

If someone else performs their job with negligence, it could impact you negatively. The Jones Act gives employees or their surviving spouses the right to file a lawsuit to gain compensation for the damages. In these situations, you will also have the right to get your case heard by a jury, which is uncommon for maritime issues. In addition to the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act will protect your loved ones if you are killed during the course of your job. Because of its long coastline, Louisiana depends on offshore workers to sustain the economy and to provide residents and tourists with food and other supplies. These laws are important when it comes to ensuring that people feel safe taking on these difficult and challenging jobs, putting their minds at ease.

Some people, such as harbor workers, are not covered by the Jones Act, and they often feel as though they are without options, which is untrue. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act serves to fill the gap. In such cases, the employer’s insurance company or the department of labor is responsible for paying the compensation to the injured workers.

How Can a Baton Rouge Offshore Accident Lawyer Help?

Although you would hope that your employer has your best interests at heart, this is not always the case. Companies will often ask their employees to sign paperwork immediately after an accident. They will want you to agree to give up certain rights in exchange for a benefits package, and taking this offer can be tempting.

Offering a benefits package, though, is often a way for businesses to get out of paying you the compensation that you need and deserve, and many people opt for the agreement without knowing better. Unless you are an expert in maritime legal cases, you won’t want to sign anything without first speaking with a maritime attorney. Your legal professional will review each document to help you determine the best course of action, and you won’t need to worry about surrendering your rights.

Also, your employer has an entire team of legal experts, and their job is to award you with as little compensation as possible. By enlisting the services of a caring attorney, you won’t need to worry about your employer playing games or treating you unfairly. The business for which you work does not want to pay you a penny more than needed, and they will do what it takes to make your case go away. When we stand by your side, we won’t let them benefit at your expense.

It is easy to feel alone when you are facing a serious offshore injury; complex laws and an employer who wants to downplay your situation may cause you to feel lost. Those who try to confront this problem without legal help usually fail to protect their case, but you don’t need to fall into that trap. When you choose Broussard & Hart, we will always be here to answer your questions and address your concerns. With experience, skill, and dedication, our team will gladly guide you each step of the way. We don’t like to see companies bully employees into giving up their rights, and we will do everything that we can to allow you to win in court.

Not only will you need to deal with complex laws, but you will also need to consider the documents that you had signed as a condition of employment. Companies will often require employees to sign paperwork stating that the employee won’t try to seek legal damages if an injury occurs. Some people feel as though these issues are simple, but you won’t want to move forward without having an experienced legal team to review every aspect of your case, including the paperwork that you had signed in the past.

Contact Broussard & Hart Today

If you consider the roadblocks and challenges that you will face when it comes to getting enough compensation to maintain your lifestyle and independence, you won’t have much trouble seeing how a Baton Rouge Jones Act attorney is a valuable resource. After you contact us, we will help you understand the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, allowing you to discover the benefits to which you are legally entitled. We care about each of our clients, and we will work around the clock to review and build your case.

We Also Help Victims of Offshore Accidents in these Areas of Louisiana
Alexandria | Lafayette | Lake Charles | New Orleans | Shreveport