Have you been injured or fallen ill while working on any vessel in navigation? Your injury is likely covered by the Jones Act, a series of laws designed to protect and compensate maritime workers in the event of offshore injuries or illness, whatever the cause of the injury.
‘Offshore’ can have many different meanings, from a river in America to the the high seas and the Gulf of Mexico, or any number of different navigable waterways throughout the world. Rest assured, any worker that works on a vessel on any navigable waterway, including cargo ships, crab/fishing boats, and even floating, or jackup oil rigs are covered by these offshore injury laws.
Whatever body of water you work on, the risk for injury is high; cargo can become unmoored, sudden waves can rock the ship, equipment can become faulty and malfunction causing injury, and so on. If you become injured while working on the water, no matter where it is, your injury is covered by the Jones Act.
And if you need the help of a trusted maritime attorney after suffering an injury working offshore, contact O’Bryan Law today to begin a review of the details of your case.
Offshore Injury FAQs
What Is An Offshore Worker?
While the phrase “offshore” can mean different things to different industries, in maritime work, it refers to any worker whose work is performed primarily on offshore installations including oil rigs or a vessel in navigation. This differs from onshore workers in that their work is done on something like a vessel or a drilling rig, whereas onshore workers work in land-based environments such as docks or offices.
Am I An Offshore Worker?
Since “offshore worker” refers to any worker whose work takes place in navigable waterways, such as on a vessel in navigation, this term applies to the majority of maritime workers in America. If your work takes place on an oil rig, drilling platform, vessel in navigation (such as a cargo ship or a cruise ship), or similar environment, then you are considered an offshore worker under American maritime law.
What Does Maritime Law Do For Offshore Workers?
The Jones Act, a series of American maritime laws designed to protect and compensate injured maritime workers, can help defend your rights against even the biggest shipowners. If you are injured during your time working offshore, the Jones Act can help you seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case.
What Are Some Common Offshore Injuries?
A few common offshore injuries include:
- Slip and fall accidents from unsafe flooring or unclean work areas
- Cranes and winches being used or stored improperly, leading to swinging object injuries
- Illnesses from close proximity to other workers
- Burn injuries
- Electrocution injuries
among many others. The conditions faced by offshore workers are dangerous enough without their employers creating an unsafe work environment, and a great deal of injuries can result from these conditions.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured Offshore?
The first thing to do if you suffer an offshore injury is to seek immediate medical attention. Not only will this prevent your condition from worsening, it can also prove a record of how fast you attempted to get your injury treated, which can be a major factor in many cases.
After that, you need to contact an offshore injury law firm like O’Bryan. Our maritime injury lawyers have the skills and experience you need to stand up against even the biggest offshore employers and get the compensation and justice you deserve.
