If you suffer a workplace accident while at sea or if you have lost a family member in a fatal maritime workplace accident, you may not know where to turn to for compensation for your losses. The worry about how to pay your expensive medical bills and other monthly expenses without your weekly paycheck can be overwhelming. If a loved one has died, the loss of income, as well as the grief of losing your loved one, can make it even more difficult to make decisions on your legal rights. However, an experienced maritime injury attorney can help you file a claim to pursue your rights to compensation.
Why You Should Retain an Attorney for Your Maritime Injury Claim
If you are contemplating trying to settle your maritime workplace injury or death claim on your own, this would be a big mistake. Even if your employer is offering to settle your claim, you ought to speak to an experienced maritime injury attorney before making a decision, to be certain that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Here are reasons why retaining an attorney is essential:
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Investigation of your claim. Maritime accidents are often more complex than other workplace accidents on land. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of facts surrounding your injury, interview relevant witnesses, and obtain the documents you need to prove your right to compensation.
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Knowledge of the laws. Maritime injury claims are governed by many federal laws, rules, and doctrines that are much more complicated than traditional workers’ compensation laws. The Jones Act, Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Death on the High Seas Act are a few of the laws that could apply to your accident. An attorney who is experienced in handling these cases will be able to identify the laws that apply to your accident and what you need to prove to win your case. In addition, he can file a lawsuit for you, if necessary, before the time period for doing so expires.
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Network of experts. You may need to hire a variety of experts to prove your right to compensation, such as medical, engineering, and maritime industry experts. An experienced lawyer will have a network of qualified experts who have knowledge of the complex factual disputes in these types of cases. They will be able to give the expert opinions that you need to resolve disputes in your case.
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Assessing the value of your claim. An experienced attorney who has settled and litigated other cases similar to yours will be able to advise you on the value of your claim so that you receive what you deserve for your injuries.
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Negotiation toward a settlement. The company you work for will have its own attorneys experienced in this area of law who will be looking out for the company’s interest in resolving your claim. They will be looking for reasons to pay you less than you are owed. You level the playing field by retaining your own experienced attorney who can negotiate a fair settlement for you or litigate your claim if this becomes necessary—often the case in these complicated cases.
Did you suffer a maritime workplace accident? Our experienced maritime injury attorneys are here to answer your questions and guide you through the process of filing your claim. To learn more about how we can assist you, call our office or fill out our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.
