It’s shrimp season in Georgia, and this means that shrimp boats are once again hitting the water. Unfortunately, this also means that many individuals who work on shrimp boats will soon suffer injuries on the job. While shrimp boat owners and operators should protect their workers, many of them cut corners, and many workers end up needing to hire a Georgia maritime accident lawyer to help them recover just compensation.
Here are your legal rights when you get injured in a shrimp boat accident in Georgia:
Right to Jones Act “Maintenance and Cure” Benefits
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects offshore workers, including Georgia residents who work on shrimp boats. Under the Jones Act, shrimp boat workers can collect “maintenance and cure” benefits when they suffer job-related injuries. These benefits are available on a no-fault basis, which means that you can collect them no matter how you got injured on the job.
Right to Sue for “Jones Act Negligence”
Shrimp boat workers also have the right to sue their employers for “Jones Act negligence.” This is important because “maintenance and cure” benefits do not cover all of the costs associated with job-related injuries. If your employer is responsible for your injury (for example, if it failed to follow any necessary safety precautions), then a Georgia maritime accident lawyer can help you file a claim for full compensation.
Right to Sue for Unseaworthiness
If you got injured because your shrimp boat was unsafe, you may also be able to sue the vessel owner. This is known as a claim for “unseaworthiness.” Similar to claims for “Jones Act negligence,” claims for “unseaworthiness” allow injured shrimp boat workers to seek full compensation for their financial and non-financial losses.
Right to Appropriate Medical Treatment
Regardless of what claim (or claims) you can file, you have the right to appropriate medical treatment. You can, and should, see a doctor of your own choosing, and you should explain your symptoms to your doctor in detail. Be sure to tell your doctor what you were doing when you got injured; and, before you leave your doctor’s office or the hospital, make sure you know what you need to do to recover from your injury.
Right to Experienced Legal Representation
When you have a maritime accident claim in Georgia, you have the right to experienced legal representation. You can hire a lawyer to fight for compensation on your behalf, and you can do so at no out-of-pocket cost. At Willis Law Firm, we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we help you collect just compensation.
Talk to a Georgia Maritime Accident Lawyer about Your Rights
If you’ve been injured working on a shrimp boat off of the Georgia coast, we can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. To get started with a free, no-obligation consultation, call 800-468-4878 or tell us how we can contact you online now.
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