According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, hundreds of people suffer injuries offshore on the Outer Continental Shelf each year. This includes the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast, the Atlantic coast, and the coast of Alaska.
An offshore injury can change your life in an instant. You may face serious pain, mounting medical bills, and time away from work. When someone else caused your injury, you may have the right to recover compensation. Because of that, it is important to speak with an experienced offshore accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Filing an offshore injury claim is not easy. In many cases, the maritime company has the resources to hire lawyers and fight your case right away. However, you do not have to face that alone. Our New Orleans maritime lawyers are ready to stand by your side and fight for you.
What Steps Should I Take if I am Injured Offshore?
If you are injured offshore the steps you take next can affect your case. For that reason, you should act carefully and protect your rights from the beginning.
Protect Your Rights
After an offshore accident, the maritime company’s risk management team may act fast. They may gather statements, review reports, or start building a defense right away. Therefore, you should be cautious before speaking with anyone about the incident.
You need a lawyer who understands maritime law. Company case managers and outside consultants may pressure you to answer questions or complete certain steps. Still, you do not have to handle that process alone.
Also, assume that anything you say could be recorded or used against you later. When you speak with one of our New Orleans personal injury lawyers, we can help protect your rights and guide you through the next steps. Most importantly, we will focus on your best interests, not the company’s.
Get Medical Care and Call Our Office
First, get medical care right away. Your health should always come first.
Then, contact our office as soon as possible. Early action gives us the best chance to review evidence, preserve details, and build a strong claim. Once we review your situation, we can explain the best path forward for your case.
In many offshore injury cases, the injured worker may have the right to seek compensation because of the negligence of a co-worker, employer, vessel operator, or oil rig operator. Our New Orleans offshore accident lawyers can pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses tied to your injury.
We have extensive experience handling offshore injury claims. As a result, we know how to evaluate these cases and fight for the compensation our clients need.
Avoid Making These Mistakes After an Offshore Injury
Maritime companies often try to limit what they pay after an accident. In some cases, they may use tactics designed to weaken your claim. Because of that, you should avoid common mistakes.
Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement
If you are hurt, your company or its insurance representative may ask you to give a recorded statement. However, you should be very careful.
The company and its insurance adjusters do not work for you. Their goal is often to gather information they can use to shift blame or reduce your claim. Instead of giving a statement right away, speak with our New Orleans offshore accident lawyers first.
At Cueria Law Injury Lawyers, we know how these cases work, and we know how to protect injured workers.
Avoid Seeing Only the Company Doctor
Under maritime law, an injured worker often has the right to see their own doctor. Even so, some companies try to send workers only to a company-approved physician.
That can hurt your claim. A company doctor may downplay your injuries, delay testing, or fail to document the full extent of your condition. For that reason, it is often best to seek treatment from a physician who will focus on your health and recovery.
Types of Offshore Injuries
Offshore accidents can lead to many serious injuries. Some of the most common include the following:
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can happen in many offshore settings. Fires, explosions, hot equipment, and chemical exposure can all cause severe harm. Property owners and operators must warn workers about known dangers. When they fail to do so, they may be liable for the injuries that follow.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries can be life-changing. In severe cases, they can affect movement, sensation, and daily function. Our offshore accident attorney in New Orleans helps injury victims pursue financial recovery after these devastating injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can affect nearly every part of your life. The brain controls thought, movement, personality, and many body functions. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, a victim may face long-term physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injures often cause permanent damage to a person’s physical mobility or cognitive ability. These injuries can affect a victim’s independence, quality of life, and future earning ability. Because of that, they often require substantial compensation.
Contact Our New Orleans Offshore Accident Lawyers
Cueria Law Injury Lawyers is ready to help if you were injured offshore. Our team understands the challenges injured maritime workers face, and we are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Fill out our online form today to request a free case review. You can also call our office now to speak with out experienced New Orleans offshore accident lawyers. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin working on your case.
Request a free case review.
