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When you’re injured offshore, the accident is still considered a personal injury accident, but there are some often subtle differences because offshore accidents most commonly involve maritime law. After an accident or injury on the water a Georgia offshore accident lawyer at Willis Law Firm can help.  Types of Offshore Accidents in Georgia Due to the nature of Georgia maritime work, offshore accidents tend to come in a few specific categories, including: Offshore Drilling Rig Explosions.  Drilling work can be hard, and dangerous, work. Long hours, bad weather conditions, heavy machinery, and pressure to deliver on time can collectively create an injury-prone environment. Oil rig disasters typically come with uncontrollable fires and catastrophic oil spills.  Equipment Failures.  Rain and saltwater combine to create an equipment failure environment far beyond that of a typical office environment. All equipment and electronics must be continually monitored and repaired. Therefore, when equipment is allowed to deteriorate, it creates an exceptionally injury-prone environment. Barges and Tugboat Accidents.  The types of equipment found on barges and tugboats, including winches, heavy ropes, chains, and other similar heavy equipment, create an environment that is particularly susceptible to serious accidents that can lead to numerous types of injuries or even death. Ship Deck Accidents.  The nature of ship decking, which is constantly wet, makes ship decks particularly dangerous for slips, trips, and falls, especially if prevention regulations and guidelines are not followed closely. Chemical Accidents.  Maritime work often includes exposure to dangerous chemicals. Chemicals used for offshore work can […]

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Mississippi is a popular state for maritime related activities with its many waterways including several ports, rivers, and access to the Gulf of Mexico. The state of Mississippi produces millions of barrels of oil each year making work on an offshore oil rig a popular maritime employment option for maritime workers. Unfortunately, working on an oil rig offshore is dangerous, but a Mississippi offshore accident attorney can help. Each year many oil rig workers suffer from serious injuries. Fortunately, there are some special maritime laws that protect offshore workers and provide compensation for damages they sustained while on the clock. An experienced Mississippi offshore accident attorney at Willis Law Firm can help advise you as to your legal rights after being injured on an oil rig. About Oil Rig Accidents in Mississippi Workers employed on an oil right or in an oil field are exposed to dangerous work environments every day. Oil rig workers often work long hours doing strenuous physical labor which can cause exhaustion and can lead to serious injuries.  While working on a Mississippi oil rig, workers are exposed to a variety of different types of accidents and injuries such as:  Injuries stained from exposure to hazardous and flammable chemicals, Slips and falls from oily surfaces,  Improperly lifting heavy equipment and cargo causing back injuries,  Inadequate railing leading to falls,  Injuries from damaged oil rigs or drills. These types of offshore accidents may cause a variety of serious injuries such as burns, back injuries, broken bones, paralysis, […]

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Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, protects various types of maritime workers injured while working on or near the navigable waters. The legal remedies available to injured workers under maritime law depends on various factors such as the type of worker injured, where the injury occurred, the specific details of the accident, and the injuries sustained. Some examples of federal maritime laws include, but are not limited to: the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), and the Jones Act. What Steps Should a Louisiana Offshore Worker Take After an Injury? A Louisiana maritime worker who suffers from an injury sustained while working offshore, such as on an oil right, should take the following steps: Get immediate medical attention to address the worker’s injuries.  Report work-related injuries to the worker’s employer.  Document the details of the accident and collect important information associated with the accident such as names of key witnesses, location and date of the accident, etc.  Contact a Louisiana offshore injury attorney as soon as possible for a formal legal opinion.  What Types of Employees are Protected under the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act? The Jones Act applies to “seamen” whose injuries result from the negligence of their employer. “Seamen”  are typically workers connected to a particular vessel who spend a large portion of their time at sea. The LHWCA covers maritime workers injured near navigable waters, such as dock workers, workers repairing ships, […]

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Texas Tugboat Accident Lawyer Maritime work, such as work performed aboard a tugboat, is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. In fact, according to the National Institute for Occupational and Health (NIOSH), from 2011-2017, fatal injuries for maritime workers in marine ports and terminals in the United States occurred at a rate five times that of the U.S. workforce overall. Nonfatal injuries and illnesses during that same time period were nearly double that of the U.S. workforce overall.  Work performed aboard a tugboat involves the towing or tugging of large vessels which can be difficult and very dangerous. Maritime employees working aboard a tugboat often perform work that is repetitive involving the performance of physical labor for long periods of time which can lead to injuries. These maritime workers also use dangerous equipment and machinery every day that can malfunction, also causing injuries to workers.  If you or a loved one were injured or killed while performing work aboard a tugboat, a Texas Jones Act lawyer at Willis Law Firm can help you or your loved one obtain compensation for work-related injuries. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured maritime workers.  Texas Tugboat Accident Lawyer Answers Commonly Asked Questions Can I sue after an accident on a tugboat in Texas? Yes, with the help of a Texas tugboat accident lawyer you may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries. The Jones Act is a federal law that […]

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Texas Barge Accident Lawyer Explains What You Need to Know Barges are popular flat-bottomed vessels that were built mostly for the transportation of bulk goods, cargo, and sometimes passengers via rivers and canals. Millions of Americans work aboard barges or other vessels each year. Barge work can be dangerous. Unfortunately, sometimes barge workers are hurt during the course and scope of their employment in the barge industry. Texas barge workers injured while working should contact a Texas Jones Act Lawyer immediately for guidance on their case. Accidents Facing Texas Maritime Workers Working on Barges Sometimes workers aboard barges are injured from malfunctions such as an engine breakdown which can cause safety issues to workers and can cause collisions with other vessels. Failure to properly inspect and maintain engines and other equipment on a barge can also cause workers to be injured.  Another reason barge workers may be injured includes faulty ventilation. Workers often have to work in confined and enclosed spaces. If they do not have adequate ventilation to create a safe atmosphere, workers can become ill by breathing in air that is filled with deadly hazards (such as toxic chemicals from barge storage tanks that were released into the air). Additionally, insufficient crew members aboard a vessel during a work trip is important for safety. Not having sufficient crewmembers aboard a barge to carry out necessary operations such as lifting heavy ropes and cables can create safety issues for workers aboard the barge. These issues can cause a variety of […]

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If you work on an oil rig, platform or other fixed structure offshore, recovering your losses after an on-the-job injury will probably involve filing a claim under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). In this article, offshore accident lawyer David Willis explains what you need to know about your legal rights under the OCSLA. Who is Eligible to File a Claim Under the OCSLA? The OCSLA applies to offshore employees who work on rigs, platforms and other structures affixed to the outer continental shelf. It also applies to many offshore pipeline workers. In most areas around the United States, the outer continental shelf extends from about three to nine nautical miles from the coast to 200 nautical miles offshore. What Types of Benefits are Available Under the OCSLA? The benefits that are available under the OCSLA are similar to those that are available under state workers’ compensation laws. In most cases, injured workers who qualify for benefits under the OCSLA can recover: Medical Benefits – These benefits cover the cost of treating your injury. Disability Benefits – These benefits cover a portion of your lost wages if you are unable to work. Rehabilitation and Retraining Benefits – These benefits cover the cost of getting back to work if your injury prevents you from returning to your old job. Under the OCSLA, death benefits are also available to surviving family members. If you have lost a loved one working on the continental shelf, you will want to hire an offshore […]

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Barges are popular flat-bottomed vessels that were built mostly for the transportation of bulk goods, cargo, and sometimes passengers via rivers and canals. Millions of Americans work aboard barges or other vessels each year. Barge work can be dangerous. Unfortunately, sometimes barge workers are hurt during the course and scope of their employment in the barge industry. Texas barge workers injured while working should contact a Texas Barge Accident Lawyer immediately for guidance on their case. Accidents Facing Texas Maritime Workers Working on Barges Sometimes workers aboard barges are injured from malfunctions such as an engine breakdown which can cause safety issues to workers and can cause collisions with other vessels. Failure to properly inspect and maintain engines and other equipment on a barge can also cause workers to be injured.  Another reason barge workers may be injured includes faulty ventilation. Workers often have to work in confined and enclosed spaces. If they do not have adequate ventilation to create a safe atmosphere, workers can become ill by breathing in air that is filled with deadly hazards (such as toxic chemicals from barge storage tanks that were released into the air). Additionally, insufficient crew members aboard a vessel during a work trip is important for safety. Not having sufficient crewmembers aboard a barge to carry out necessary operations such as lifting heavy ropes and cables can create safety issues for workers aboard the barge. These issues can cause a variety of different accidents to occur causing serious injuries to maritime […]

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Hundreds of thousands of maritime workers go to work each day in the United States and face the dangerous perils that await them when they clock in for the day. Shipyard workers, barge and tug crew members, ship captains, longshoremen, and other maritime workers experience serious accidents and injuries every year, some of which are fatal.  Industry Hazards Leading to Death, Serious Injury According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maritime workers, especially those working in marine terminals and ports, have a higher fatality, injury, and illness rate than other categories of workers in the United States. From 2011-2017, the CDC reported that maritime worker deaths occurred at a rate five times that of the U.S. workforce overall. The nonfatal injury rate for maritime workers is double that of the U.S. workforce overall.  Hazards presented to maritime workers while working on navigable waters and onshore at shipyards and terminals make the maritime work environment dangerous. Marine workers experience perils and accidents for a variety of different reasons such as from: slips and falls from oily deck surfaces,  vessel owners and operators failing to maintain a safe and seaworthy vessel,  exposures to dangerous toxins in holding tanks which may cause diseases such as cancer,  hypothermia and drowning from falling overboard, and,  back, neck, shoulder, and arm injuries from heavy work responsibilities. Some maritime workers even experience fatalities from working in unsafe environments on vessels. Below are some shocking statistics regarding fatalities and injuries by maritime workers.  Nationwide Maritime […]

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Shipyard workers, and other shoreside maritime workers, suffer from serious injuries each year.  Sometimes these injuries can be as serious or even more severe than those suffered by crew members working on a vessel. Longshoremen and harbor workers, such as those working on docks, shipping terminals, or shipyards, are covered by special maritime laws such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. This federal law can be complicated to understand if you are unfamiliar with legal language. However, the experienced maritime attorneys at Willis Law Firm can advise you of your legal rights under all applicable state and federal laws and help you or your loved one obtain appropriate compensation for the injuries sustained while working in a shipyard or performing other maritime-related work. Our firm fights to protect injured maritime workers.  Common Injuries Sustained by Shipyard and Other Shoreside Maritime Workers Shipyards are dangerous places to work, and they expose workers to the risk of serious accidents. One exposure faced by such workers is to toxic chemicals. Some of the common chemicals and toxins that shipyard workers may be exposed to include: Lead Benzene Asbestos Lead Exposure Although the federal government banned the use of lead decades ago, it still exists in some products and ships today. When lead-based paint on ships starts to peel away, it releases hazardous toxins into the air that become dangerous to shipyard workers. Maritime workers who breathe in these toxins or absorb lead through the skin can experience various health issues. According […]

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Did you know that maritime workers have a higher fatality, injury, and illness rate than other categories of workers in the United States? Maritime-related injuries and accidents occur on and off vessels for various reasons, such as owners and operators failing to maintain a safe and seaworthy vessel, slips and falls from oily deck surfaces, falling off defective ladders, and exposures to toxic chemicals, among other things. Some maritime workers are even injured while working aboard a vessel in untraditional manners. For example, several years ago, a crew member was wounded by a bread trolley in the galley of Celebrity Cruises’ Eclipse (a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises). The ship’s sudden movement caused the trolley to roll, fall over, and then strike the worker in the back.  The worker was awarded several million dollars for spinal injuries. There are many more stories out there where vessel workers were seriously injured.  The Willis Law Firm is here to help you or a loved one obtain compensation for the damages you sustained while at work.  What Laws Protect Maritime Workers? Maritime law is a niche area of law that protects maritime workers injured on the job. The protections and compensation available depends on several factors, such as the type of worker injured, where the injury occurred, and the specific details of the accident and injuries sustained.  Some of the more common laws that protect maritime workers include: Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): This applies to maritime workers injured near navigable […]

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