The job of a marine pilot is extremely important. It can also be extremely dangerous. From negligent boat captains to high seas, there are many issues that can put a marine pilot’s life on the line.
Even if an accident isn’t life-threatening, it can still cause life-altering injuries. From chronic pain and physical disabilities to mounting medical bills and the inability to earn a living, accidents on the water often leave marine pilots facing substantial losses.
5 Important Facts About Injured Marine Pilots’ Legal Rights
If you are a marine pilot and you have been injured on the job, here is what you need to know about your legal rights:
1. Marine Pilots Can Seek Compensation for All Types of Accidents
The marine pilot’s job is unique in that it entails a broad range of risks. While marine pilots are tasked with ensuring that large ships make it safely to port, marine pilots’ own safety often goes ignored. As a result, marine pilots frequently suffer injuries in accidents involving:
- Negligent pilot boat operation
- Negligent operation of large ships and other vessels
- Being forced to pilot vessels in dangerous weather or sea conditions
- Pilot ladder (or Jacob’s ladder) failures
- Slips, trips, and falls on deck
- Falls overboard
- Collisions between pilot boats and other vessels
2. Marine Pilots Can Seek Compensation for All Types of Injuries
If you were injured on the job as a marine pilot, there is a good chance that you are entitled to financial compensation regardless of the nature of your injuries. Maritime pilots can file claims for injuries including (but not limited to):
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Eye, ear, nose, and facial injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Muscle and soft tissue injuries
- Near-drowning injuries
3. Marine Pilots are Covered Under the Jones Act
In almost all cases, marine pilots are covered under the Jones Act when they get injured on the job. The Jones Act entitles all injured “seamen” to maintenance and cure benefits, and injured seamen can seek additional compensation when they are injured in accidents caused by negligence or a vessel’s unseaworthiness.
4. You Can (and Should) See Your Own Doctor
To protect your claim after an accident on the job, you should see your own doctor as soon as possible. Even if you saw a ship’s doctor or your company doctor initially, you will still want to obtain a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor you trust and who has your best interests in mind.
5. You Can (and Should) Hire a Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost
As a marine pilot, you can hire a lawyer to help you assert your legal rights at no out-of-pocket cost. When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will thoroughly assess your rights under the Jones Act, file all available claims on your behalf, and fight to make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Need to File a Claim? Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you are a marine pilot and you need to file a claim for a job-related injury, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Call 800-468-4878 or send us your information online to schedule an appointment with an experienced lawyer today.
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