Alabama Jones Act Lawyers for Injured Maritime Workers
As the Port of Mobile continues to expand, Alabama is increasingly becoming a key location for the country’s shipping, transportation, seafood and cruise industries. But with the rise in activity off the shores of Alabama comes the increase in risk for a wide range of accidents for seaman, longshoreman and other workers. If you have been injured offshore Alabama waterways, an Alabama Jones Act lawyer at Willis Law Firm can help.
Maritime accidents are particularly common on barges and tugboats. Whether it is a slip and fall on a slick or cluttered deck or a crushing accident caused by the negligent operation of a crane, the injuries caused can have a significant impact on both the injured person and his or her family.
Alabama barge accident attorney David Willis helps people injured in tugboat, towboat, barge and other offshore accidents get the full compensation available under the law. Willis Law Firm has a strong track record of successful results for the people and families devastated by maritime accidents.
The Willis Law Firm Can Help with All of Your Jones Act Claims
If you have been injured in a maritime incident in Alabama or anywhere else in the nation, the Willis Law Firm is here to help. Federal and state laws provide important protections and legal rights to individuals who are injured in maritime accidents. The Jones Act is a federal law that provides injured seaman with the right to file a negligence lawsuit against an employer when any level of employer negligence causes or contributes to the seaman’s injuries. Under the Jones Act, an employer who is found to be negligent is required to pay the employee’s damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disability and disfigurement and pain and suffering. The Jones Act also requires employers to pay injured seamen maintenance and cure benefits even if the employer was not at fault for the accident.
The Jones Act and other maritime injury laws are complex and should be handled by a qualified maritime injury lawyer. The Willis Law Firm, a national maritime injury law firm, has more than 40 years of experience representing injured oil rig workers, seamen and other maritime workers along the Gulf Coast and across the nation.
Our Commitment to You – How an Alabama Jones Act Attorney Can Help
At the Willis Law Firm, an Alabama Jones Act lawyer at our firm can help you determine your Jones Act eligibility and maximize your compensation. Contact us at 1-800-468-4878 email us through our online webform for a free consultation and to learn how we can help you.
Our attorneys have dedicated their professional careers to helping maritime workers in Alabama and across the country in their times of need. We are committed to helping people focus on their physical and mental wellbeing after an accident with the confidence that comes with knowing that we are fighting for them.
Our lawyers understand how the law works and we know how to build the strongest possible claims for the people that we represent. The firm has had significant success resolving cases without long and drawn out court battles.
Breaking Down Maintenance and Cure Benefits
As someone who works on a vessel or offshore, you have likely come across the term, “maintenance and cure.” You might know that this is a form of compensation employers are required to provide to their injured workers.
But, do you know how much you are entitled to recover? Do you know how to make sure your employer does not take advantage of you? Do you know what to do when your maintenance and cure benefits are not enough to cover the full extent of your financial losses and physical and emotional harm? Did you know you may be entitled to a direct lawsuit against your maritime employer? These are all critical questions, and if you do not know the answers you will almost certainly settle for far less than you deserve.
1. Losses Covered Under Maintenance and Cure
First, it is important to understand the types of losses that are covered by maintenance and cure. “Maintenance” refers to benefits that help cover your daily costs of living while you are unable to work due to an injury. While your employer is legally required to pay you these benefits if you qualify, most maintenance payments are fairly low – typically around $15 to $40 per day.
“Cure” refers to compensation for any medical bills you incur as a result of your accident. While your employer may try to get you to see it in-house physician, you are entitled to see your own doctor and still have the costs covered under maintenance and cure.
2. Maintenance and Cure Entitles You to No-Fault Compensation
Under the Jones Act, maintenance and cure are “no-fault” benefits. This means that your employer is required to pay regardless of whether or not it is to blame for your injuries. As a result, even if you simply tripped down a normal set of stairs, you are still entitled to collect maintenance and cure benefits under the law.
3. Maintenance and Cure Are Not the Only Benefits Available Under the Jones Act
As an offshore or maritime worker, perhaps the most important thing to know about maintenance and cure is that they are not the only benefits available under the Jones Act. Why is this important? Because most workers who suffer serious on-the-job injuries experience losses that far exceed the compensation available through maintenance and cure.
In addition to maintenance and cure, the Jones Act also includes provisions that entitle seamen to seek full financial compensation when their employers’ negligence is to blame for their injuries. An experienced maritime injury lawyer will be able to help you maximize your maintenance and cure benefits while also making sure your employer is held fully accountable for any negligence that may have contributed to your losses.
About Alabama Maritime Industry
The Port of Mobile is the centerpiece of a thriving maritime industry that brings a wide range of jobs and economic benefits to Alabama.
The state’s location along the Gulf of Mexico, combined with 77,000 miles of rivers and streams, makes shipping and other maritime activity a major contributor to Alabama’s economy. Other ports and harbors in the state include the Port of Decatur, Port of Guntersville, Port of Florence and the Barry Electric Generating Plant.
At the Willis Law Firm, we proudly represent maritime workers throughout Alabama. An Alabama Jones Act lawyer at our firm can help you understand your legal rights and explore your options after an accident.
Speak with an Alabama Jones Act Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident on a barge or tugboat, it is important to seek the advice and counsel of an experienced lawyer before accepting a deal from your employer or an insurance company. An Alabama Jones Act attorney can help ensure that you get the full benefits and compensation available.
The Willis Law Firm assists workers and their families who suffer from maritime-related injuries throughout Alabama and across the country. We have extensive experience in pursuing these claims. Give us a call at 1-800-468-4878 or email us through our online webform to find out more about your legal rights and options.
