Jones Act Maritime Injury Attorneys

The dangerous nature of maritime work often leaves offshore workers vulnerable to serious injuries. The worker on offshore production platforms, drilling rigs, push boats, dredges, barges and other types of vessels carries unique hazards.

Crew members on service boats, shipping vessels, and oil tankers also face the very real possibility of serious injuries, or even death, in the course of their “routine” work day. When an accident occurs, and a worker is seriously injured, he or she needs the help of an experienced maritime injury lawyer.

At Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, P.C., we have handled numerous claims under the Jones Act and general maritime law for injured offshore workers throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the East Coast. We are dedicated to making sure that injured and sick Jones Act and maritime workers receive the highest level of protection and benefits to which they are due under the Jones Act, general maritime law and other relevant laws.

To make sure that your rights are completely protected in Jones Act or offshore Maritime case, it is vital that you work with an experienced and accomplished Jones Act and Maritime case attorney.

At Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, P.C., we are completely dedicated to ensuring that vessel owners and Maritime employers are held responsible for injuries and illness suffered by their employees. We strive to get injured offshore workers the maximum compensation they are owed under the Jones Act, General Maritime Law and any other applicable laws.

The Lawyers at Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, PC have helped many injured Jones Act and Maritime workers get the financial assistance to cover their medical expenses, pay their monthly bills, get the damages that they deserve and get back to normal. We are always ready to help and are proud of the substantial recoveries that have been able to obtain for our clients.

How Maritime Law Works

Maritime trade has been around since the beginning of civilization. Ever since men could build boats, haul cargo in them, and sail from one port to another, there has been maritime trade. And ever since that time, workers have had to deal with the dangers of working on the seas and on boats. It was then, and is now, a dangerous way to make a living.
As maritime trade grew and evolved, the laws surrounding maritime activities grew as well. Over the centuries, as maritime activities grew from sailing on wooden hull ships to complex world shipping, offshore drilling, dredging and other operations that are common today, the maritime laws also grew in its sophistication and complexities, so have these laws. At Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, PC, we know these laws. The lawyers at Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, PC have over thirty years of combined experience handing Jones Act, Maritime and Offshore cases. Over the years, our lawyers have represented hundreds of Jones Act, Maritime and Offshore workers and assisted in the recovered well over a hundred million dollars for our Jones Act, Maritime and Offshore clients.

DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING BEFORE CONTACTING AN EXPERIENCED JONES ACT MARITIME LAWYER.

First, under the Jones Act and General Maritime law, an injured offshore worker can sue his employer. This is very different than the workers compensation laws that cover most on the job accidents while working on land. Under works compensation laws, you cannot sue your employer. Do not get confused. Your offshore case is very different.
All employer must keep an eye on the bottom line, including Jones Act and Maritime employers. Claims, especially lawsuits, for injuries or illness impact these bottom lines. Don’t kid yourself, when a Jones Act or Maritime worker is injured in an offshore accident, the vessel owners and maritime employers immediately contact two offices, their insurance carrier’s office and their lawyer’s office.
In our numerous years of experience, we have seen many instances where employers, their lawyers and insurances companies have drafted documents that offer injured workers small, lump-sum payments in exchange for their agreement not to pursue legal action against the employer. Often, the employee does not know that he is signing a “settlement agreement” and is waving his right to pursue a claim.
In our experience, employers and their insurance carriers often count on the injured Maritime worker being concerned about bills and how he will care for family. They this level of desperation to persuade injury workers to sign away their legal rights. The best way for injured workers to protect themselves, is to talk with a seasoned Jones Act and Maritime lawyer. The lawyers at Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, PC are the experienced and seasoned Jones Act and Maritime lawyers that can help you protect yourself. If you feel that you need to sign one of these agreements, at least call to learn what your rights are and be informed before signing.

Injured Offshore Workers Need An Experienced Offshore Accident Injury Attorney

When an injured Jones Act or Maritime worker chooses to pursue a claim, he often faces an uphill battle. The vessel owner, Maritime employer and the insurance carrier are working toward protecting their profits. These parties are smart, experienced and have vast resources. They use teams of company men, adjusters, investigators and attorneys to attack an offshore worker’s injury claims. In some cases, they act friendly and may offer a settlement that the injured worker does not realize is likely much smaller than what he is entitled to recover. In other instances, they may try to intimidate and find ways to deny the claim or place the blame on the injured worker to make him feel that the accident was his fault or that the injured worker does not have a claim at all.

The best way that workers can protect their rights is to work with an experienced offshore accident injury attorney. The attorneys at Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, PC are familiar with the complex nature of offshore injury law, as well as with the strategies and tactics used by Maritime employers, insurance carriers, adjusters and their attorneys. We know how combat these strategies and we always strive to get the maximum compensation available for our clients.

Compensation Available In Offshore Accident Injury Lawsuits

Most workers who are injured in offshore accidents are eligible to pursue damages against their employers. These damages can cover a number of expenses related to the accident, including physical pain, emotional stress, medical expenses, lost income and financial hardship.

Damages an injured Jones Act or Maritime worker may be entitled to include:

Past lost income
Future lost income
Ambulance transportation
Emergency room costs
Surgical procedures
Hospital stays
Prescription medications
Doctor’s office visits
Physical therapy sessions
Transportation costs
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Lost household contribution
…and much more.

Get Help From A Skilled Offshore Accident Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured from an offshore accident, you need to speak with an experienced and seasoned Jones Act and Maritime offshore injury lawyer that understands the intricate details of the Jones Act, the General Maritime Law and other applicable laws. The attorneys and staff at Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, P.C., are here to help. Call immediately or fill out the email form to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consulting session. We can examine your case, go over the details of the accident and develop a winning strategy.