Have You Been Injured While Working on a Ship?

If you suffer an injury at sea, it is almost certain a maritime lawyer will be necessary for you to be properly compensated given the complexity of admiralty laws. This is because the rules are different depending on where and the type of rig or ship you are on.

First, consider the importance of good health and your functional ability to work under the demanding and hazardous conditions of ships, barges, freighters, tug boats, tow boats, supply boats, semi-submersibles, shrimp boats, trawlers, ferries, water taxis, riverboats, cruise ships, oil rigs, and other water vehicles. Almost any kind of injury can occur, including hearing loss or contraction of disease that may not be immediately apparent. If your injuries are serious, you may never be able to work again.

Two relevant maritime laws

Two maritime laws pertain to off-shore and on-land (harbor) types of injuries, the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, respectively. In brief, here is how they work:

• Jones Act—Moving watercraft plus stationary offshore oil rigs are covered by this law. In addition to being able to recoup lost wages and medical-related expenses, your Mississippi Jones Act attorney might be able to win a pain and suffering award, if warranted. If a death occurs due to an injury at sea, more than three nautical miles from shore, the law and compensation applied to the survivors is defined under the Death at High Seas Act (DOHSA).
• Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act—In Mississippi, Jones Act rules do not apply to injured workers who spend less than 30 percent of their time offshore but otherwise are employed in onshore maritime work (longshoring operations, harbor work, stevedoring, loading and offloading of vessels, ship repair, ship construction, and general maritime construction). For the worker whose injuries render him or her unable to earn pre-accident wages, benefits are awarded based on degree of disability.

Hire a maritime lawyer on a contingency basis

In Mississippi, Jones Act cases are best handled by attorneys who know the law concerning onshore and offshore accidents. If you are injured, there is no risk when you make an appointment. Your maritime injury attorney collects fees only if the case is settled to your benefit.

One call...that's all

The law firm of Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A. works on behalf of workers injured on the job, with a particularly strong case history in all areas of admiralty laws. One call is all you need to handle your Mississippi maritime law case. For a Mississippi Jones Act attorney, call Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A. at 1-800-844-1215, or contact us online.