Common Causes of Offshore Injuries
Equipment Malfunctions
Faulty machinery and equipment like cranes, derricks, or lift equipment breaking down leads to catastrophic injuries for offshore workers. Lack of inspection heightens risks.
Boating Accidents
Collisions between crew boats, supply vessels, barges, and other maritime vessels in busy port areas contribute to worker injuries and fatalities.
Falling Objects
Tools, drilling pipes, cranes, chains, and a myriad of heavy objects falling in crowded rig and platform environments crush workers below.
Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Toxic fumes, combustible fuels, drilling fluids, and other irritants lead to respiratory issues, burns, and serious illnesses among offshore crews over time.
Fatigue and Human Error
Mentally exhausted crews working long shifts in harsh conditions make mistakes that jeopardize safety. Lack of training also causes accidents.
How Offshore Accident Lawyers Can Help
Investigating the Cause of the Accident Thoroughly
Lawyers dig deep into root causes like equipment defects, safety violations, human errors, and environmental factors that contributed to offshore accidents and injuries.
Identifying Negligent Parties Responsible
Culpable parties could include equipment manufacturers, vessel operators, crane technicians, site managers, or even co-workers who acted negligently and caused accidents.
Proving Liability of Employers and Contractors
Experienced maritime lawyers prove offshore employers breached duties to maintain safe working conditions and are therefore liable for worker injuries.
Calculating the Full Extent of Your Damages
Attorneys account for medical bills, lost income, reduced future earnings, pain and suffering, and all tangible and intangible accident costs when negotiating injury claims.
Holding Liable Parties Accountable
Offshore injury lawyers tenaciously pursue compensation and use litigation if warranted until clients receive full restitution from all negligent parties.
Offshore Accident Lawsuit Process and Timelines
Maritime Laws and Legal Complexities
These cases involve intricate maritime laws and navigation of complex workers’ comp systems. Lawyers must understand offshore regulations.
Strict Statutes of Limitations
Time limits to take legal action after offshore accidents are strict, often just 1-3 years. Prompt attorney consultation is critical.
Longer Lawsuit Timeframes Than Standard Cases
Extensive investigation of accidents and determining liable parties means offshore injury cases often take longer, sometimes years, to resolve.
Settling Before Trial is Common
Given their complexity, most offshore accident lawsuits settle through negotiations before reaching trial. But experienced lawyers prepare cases for litigation just in case.
Maximize Your Claim With Experienced Counsel
Account for All Medical Expenses and Lost Income
Provide detailed evidence of income losses, medical costs, therapy, devices, rehabilitation, and other expenses stemming from the offshore accident.
Seek Coverage for Reduced Future Earning Capacity
If injuries diminish your future ability to work offshore, demand appropriate compensation for this long-term damage to your earning potential.
Demand Compensation for Disability and Disfigurement
Don’t downplay physical or mental disability resulting from accidents. Seek fair pain and suffering damages.
Hold Employers Accountable for Negligence
When company policies and lack of safety compliance contribute to accidents, lawyers ensure employers are held fully liable.
In conclusion, offshore accidents can inflict immense physical, emotional, and financial hardships on workers. But maritime lawyers help injured crews investigate mishaps, prove negligence, overcome legal hurdles, demand maximum compensation from all at-fault parties, and restore losses caused by entirely preventable offshore accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of evidence help prove liability in offshore accident cases?
Police reports, internal incident reports, equipment inspection logs, safety policies, training records, witness statements, and physical evidence from the accident scene help establish negligence offshore.
What expenses can I claim after an offshore injury?
You can claim for medical costs, lost income, reduced future earning capacity, physical rehabilitation, transportation and lodging for treatment, equipment and medications, as well as intangible damages like pain and suffering.
How long do I have to file an offshore accident lawsuit?
Maritime injury cases have shorter statutes of limitations than standard personal injury cases, often just 1-3 years. Move promptly to avoid missing legal deadlines.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for an offshore accident?
Under maritime laws, you can still recover compensation proportional to your degree of fault through the legal doctrine of comparative negligence.
How much does an offshore accident attorney cost to hire?
Most attorneys take these cases on contingency, meaning no fee unless they win your case. The fee is a percentage of the final settlement amount.
