Louisiana And Gulf Of Mexico Shipyard Accident Attorneys
Companies worldwide rely on the many shipyards located in Louisiana to build and repair their marine vessels. Employment at shipyards allows many Louisiana residents to enjoy a comfortable living, but shipyard workers daily put their health and lives at risk. When shipyard workers become injured in an accident on the job, they are often entitled to compensation.
The shipyard accident lawyers at Koch & Schmidt have helped many shipyard employees obtain the compensation they deserve after becoming injured on the job. Our admiralty and maritime law attorneys have extensive experience in the area of maritime and shipping law, and we use this experience to advocate for our clients and their right to compensation. Contact our New Orleans law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Types Of Shipyard Accidents
Even when employees receive proper training and employers set safety procedures in place, accidents still occur. Nearly all injuries experienced by shipyard employees can lead to a civil personal liability claim. Shipyard injuries can happen to anyone in the industry, but they most often involve the following types of accidents:
- Welding burns
- Explosions
- Slip and falls
- Falling tools
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Injuries from fires
- Injuries from heavy machinery
Seeking Compensation After A Shipyard Accident
Typically, any injury that occurs during employment at a shipyard and requires medical attention is covered. Even if the shipyard workers’ actions contributed to the cause of the injury, he or she would likely be eligible for compensation. You may also have a third-party claim for damages depending on the facts of your accident. Injured employees can seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation. Even though the Jones Act provides compensation for “seamen,” courts have interpreted this term loosely, and shipyard workers are considered “seamen.”
Why You Need An Experienced Shipyard Accident Lawyer
Submitting a claim for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act can be complicated, drawn-out and difficult. You need a good attorney. If you or your loved one has become injured on the job as a shipyard worker, it’s important that you work with an experienced maritime lawyer.
At Koch & Schmidt, our maritime lawyers have a proven track record of obtaining compensation for clients under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act, as well other maritime laws, such as the Jones Act and general maritime law. We have the resources and knowledge needed to thoroughly investigate your claim and ensure that you are fully compensated for all of your damages.
Some employers offer injured employees a settlement that won’t fully cover all of the damages they incurred from their injuries. Our lawyers can negotiate assertively with your employer. If we can’t reach a satisfactory settlement agreement, we will take your case before an administrative judge.
The Longshore And Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The provisions of the Act provide injured Shipyard workers with payments for all of the following expenses:
- Disability
- Medical treatments
- Rehabilitation
- Transpiration costs related to medical treatment
Shipyard Workers Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Many Louisiana shipyard workers have been exposed to asbestos, a mineral linked to mesothelioma cancer. Many shipyard workers have been exposed to asbestos when they unloaded materials for you from shipbuilding to completing any project on a ship. Asbestos exposure was especially prominent before the 1980s.
Due to the danger of fires at sea, many shipbuilding companies used asbestos as fireproofing agents and insulators. Insulation, boiler dressings, pipe fittings and gaskets are just some of the materials used on ships that include asbestos components. When asbestos is exposed to air, it begins to degrade over time, creating a fine dust that shipyard workers inhale while on the job.
Over years or decades, cells become irritated with the asbestos particles and can begin to change into cancer cells. Shipyard workers and retirees who developed mesothelioma can typically trace asbestos exposure to their jobs. If you or your loved one have worked in Louisiana shipyards and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact A New Orleans Shipyard Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a shipyard accident or aboard a vessel, it’s important that you speak with a maritime lawyer as soon as possible. Even if your injuries have healed and you’ve returned to work, you still may suffer consequences from your injuries, make work difficult, or make it hard to engage in your everyday activities. A maritime lawyer can help you recover compensation for the medical bills and lost income you’ve experienced due to your shipyard injury.
Filing an injury claim through a federal government agency can be intimidating, but the shipyard accident lawyers at Koch & Schmidt are here to help. We can help you understand the protection you enjoy under federal maritime law. We will investigate your case and gather evidence in support of your claim. Contact our law firm today to discuss your rights under the Longshore and Harbor Worker Act so you can begin the process of recovering the financial compensation you deserve.