Baton Rouge Offshore Accident Lawyer

Offshore work makes up a large part of the economy in Baton Rouge, however, it does not come without risks. Accidents commonly happen due to hazards, like frequently changing weather, exhausting labor, and heavy machinery. And, when they do occur, the consequences can be devastating – causing emotional, physical, and financial damages. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an offshore accident in the area, a Baton Rouge offshore accident lawyer can help.

At the Knightshead Law Firm, our experienced group of attorneys has a commitment to representing individuals who have been hurt in offshore accidents, helping them get the compensation to which they’re entitled. A maritime attorney from our firm can help you walk through each step of the legal process, assisting you with proving the extent of your damages, showing liability, and recovering the compensation amount that fully reflects all you have lost.

What You Should Know About Offshore Accidents and Maritime Law

Offshore accidents involve injury or damage suffered by an individual while carrying out work on or near bodies of water like the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore accidents tend to occur in locations like harbors, forms, docks, oil rigs and vessels. Maritime law is a specific area of legal practice separate from laws on land, which oversees how these cases are processed legally and gives rights and protections to offshore workers.

Under maritime laws, offshore workers are entitled to legal protections, making it crucial to understand these complex rules and regulations. Laws such as the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and general maritime law are all pieces of legislation that can help workers pursue the financial support needed after sustaining an injury at sea.

The knowledgeable legal team at the Knightshead Law Firm has over 15 years of experience helping harmed offshore workers successfully navigate these legal frameworks to pursue and obtain the compensation they deserve.

Causes and Types of Offshore Accidents in the Baton Rouge Area

Offshore accidents in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas are commonly caused by the following:

• Equipment failure. Factors such as collapsing of structures, explosions, fires on oil rigs, and machinery that breaks down can lead to significant, life-threatening injuries.
• Human mistakes. If personnel are not adequately trained, or if they are pressured to work long shifts that leave them in a state of fatigue, this can lead to human error that can cause a devastating or fatal mistake. Furthermore, miscommunication among crew members can further escalate the situation.
• Hazardous working conditions. Employers have a duty to ensure workers have the training and protection they need to labor in a safe working environment free from unnecessary harm. If they fail to do so, elements like poorly maintained equipment, slippery surfaces, and inadequate safety protocol can lead to accidents that harm workers.
• Weather conditions. Weather conditions on both the coast and high seas are more volatile, with the potential for sudden high winds, storms, and rough seas to lead to an accident.
• Lack of management. As there is little room for error in dangerous conditions where laborers work offshore, it is crucial for employers to provide adequate management, supervision and oversight. If they fail to do so, small mistakes can compound into drastic incidents.

At the Knightshead Law Firm, we have successfully defended offshore workers who have been harmed in common types of offshore accidents, such as falls from heights, vessel collisions, equipment related injuries and fires. We have also helped individuals hurt in oil rig explosions, diving accidents, and toxic substance exposure recover the compensation to which they are entitled.

What Can I Recover In Offshore Accidents?

Offshore accidents are handled differently than other injury cases, so you need to choose a lawyer with specialized skill and experience in this area. Rather than a workers’ compensation claim, seamen injured while working can bring a lawsuit under the Jones Act.

The major difference between workers’ comp and the Jones Act is that the Jones Act takes the employer’s fault or negligence into account. The extent of your employer’s negligence affects the compensation you can recover. Compensation not only covers medical costs and lost wages but it may also include extra benefits to deter employers from making these errors.

Specifically, you may be entitled to various types of conversation, including the following:

• Lost income. If your injuries are severe enough that they kept you out of work or working on a reduced basis, you can receive compensation for the subsequent damages. Furthermore, if you have permanent disabilities as a result of your injuries, you may be eligible for payments for lost earning capacity.
• Medical expenses. Any costs associated with your injuries sustained during your offshore accident, including hospital bills, surgery fees, prescription medications, medical devices, follow up clinic visits and rehabilitation may be covered. Even transportation to and from clinic visits can be accounted for in a comprehensive settlement.
• Pain and suffering. Workers who have been injured on the job are entitled to compensation for noneconomic damages like emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your accident has impacted your relationships with others, you may also be entitled to loss of consortium.
• Punitive damages. Depending on the severity of negligence or wrongdoing exhibited by your employer or other responsible party, they may be awarded punitive damages to discourage similar accidents from happening in the future.

You also have a right to seek maintenance and cure, in addition to compensation for negligence. Maintenance and cure does not account for the employer’s fault so it is easier to obtain. Its main purpose is to cover basic expenses during your recovery process.

Steps You Should Take After an Offshore Accident

If you’ve been hurt in an offshore accident, it’s crucial to ensure you take the right steps to make sure your case is strong and that you can safeguard your rights and interests. Be sure to work through the following process into optimize your chances of a positive case outcome:

• Prioritizing your health and safety. Directly after the accident occurs, it’s crucial to put your health and safety first and foremost. Report your accident and injury to your supervisor and other relevant authority figures as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
• Gather documentation. If possible, collect evidence associated with the accident scene, including photos and videos of the site where it happened. Furthermore, take note of the equipment involved and any photos of damages or injuries. You should collect the contact information of witnesses and ask if they’re willing to give a statement. If you observed any safety violations, note those as well.
• Contact your employer. Even if you have already called your employer and let them know that the accident happened, it is crucial that you do so in writing as well. Inform your employer that the accident happened in writing, then be sure to request a copy of the accident report. This piece of evidence is crucial in pursuing your claim.
• Do not settle. After your offshore accident, insurance companies or your employer will likely come to you trying to get you to sign off on settlements, waivers or forms. It is crucial to not agree or sign off on any of this without first consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable maritime lawyer.
• Get in touch with an offshore accident attorney. A detail-oriented maritime lawyer can go over the details of your case, ensure you are aware of your rights, and help you start exploring your legal options to pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.

A Baton Rouge Offshore Accident Attorney From the Knightshead Law Firm Is Here for You

If you or your loved one is reeling from financial, physical, or emotional damages after an offshore accident, an empathetic attorney from our firm feels for you. We have over a decade of experience in the business, and understand the significant damages that offshore workers can be dealing with post-accident. Therefore, we are here for you during this challenging time to ensure you do not foot the bill for a large enterprise or insurance company who profits on your labor.

During the aftermath of your offshore accident, you can interpret complex maritime laws, helping you understand your case which will likely span multiple regulations, jurisdictions and parties to champion your situation.

Specifically, we can support you with the following:

• Looking into your incident. An attorney from our firm can deeply investigate your case to determine what caused your accident and identify potential liable parties, such as equipment designers or manufacturers, vessel owners, and employers.
• Collecting evidence. We can fortify your case by gathering crucial evidence to improve liability and show the extent of your damages, including safety protocols, statements from witnesses, personnel training records, maintenance reports, and analysis from expert witnesses.
• Accounting for damages. It’s crucial to ensure all of your losses and damages are accurately assessed and accounted for, so that you can receive a proportional settlement amount. A detail-oriented attorney from our firm can collect crucial evidence, such as medical reports, statements from mental health experts, personal statements, and pay stubs to justify the compensation to which you’re entitled.
• Handling insurance companies. Insurance companies representing large offshore enterprises are heavily resourced, and going up against them can be intimidating. A maritime attorney from our team, however, has years of experience dealing with these institutions, and can leverage optimal negotiation tactics to secure a just and fair settlement amount for you.
• Pursuing a lawsuit. If a just and fair settlement cannot be reached on your behalf with relevant stakeholders, a skilled litigator from our firm can take your case to court. We are prepared to shed light on your side of the story to prove negligence of other parties and fully demonstrate your losses.

Answers And Experience On Your Side

At the Knightshead Law Firm , we have experience seeking these benefits for clients injured offshore. The whole process can be confusing for those unfamiliar with it but we can answer your questions and demystify the steps you need to take.

Many companies can be involved in oil rigs or other offshore sites. This means that proving who was at fault for your injuries may not be straightforward. However, we have taken these cases before so we know how to hold the correct parties liable. We will be at your side fighting for the benefits you deserve.

As we adopt a client-forward approach, we are sure to take the time required to understand the specific circumstances and challenges you are facing, working to develop a tailored strategy that fully addresses your issues and pushes for positive outcomes.

Get Legal Help Now

If you have suffered an offshore injury, we can help you. Contact us online or call 225-388-5265 to set up a free consultation with our attorney, Tedrick Knightshead. Our office is in Baton Rouge and we help clients throughout Louisiana.