Shreveport Maritime Lawyer

Maritime Attorney in Shreveport, LA

The Louisiana maritime industry is a crucial part of the state’s economy, and there are many individuals who work in offshore and maritime employment. While any worksite could potentially have hazards, offshore and maritime worksites are some of the most hazardous. Maritime employees are covered under unique laws, and it is crucial that your Shreveport maritime lawyer understands the unique requirements of these cases.

Maritime accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as burns, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, and other long-term harm. Employees may be unable to work for a long period of time while they recover or may be unable to work at all. These are losses that can be recovered with the right claim. It can be hard to navigate the claims process while you are injured, but it is important that these cases are filed quickly. The help of the right attorney can make this happen.

Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates: Protecting Injured Maritime Employees

Working with a dedicated and assertive attorney can help you get the financial compensation you deserve and take the time you need to recover. With offices in Bossier City-Shreveport and Monroe, the law offices of Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates help injured maritime workers throughout Louisiana recover compensation for their injuries according to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

We have helped support the communities and families affected by these serious incidents. Maritime accidents can lead to disabling and life-altering injuries and even result in the loss of loved ones. Filing for workers’ compensation recovery does not fix these severe losses. The claim can instead provide you with the financial certainty you need when you are dealing with so many financial losses.

Our firm fights to get you the financial recovery needed to rebuild and move forward with your life.

The Difference Our Legal Team Can Make

Attorney Jacqueline Scott is an accomplished negotiator and litigator, with 20 years of legal experience, including experience in complex maritime and offshore employee injuries. She provides her clients with individualized, compassionate, and effective legal support. From 2003 to 2015, Attorney Jacqueline Scott has been nominated as a favorite in SB Magazine’s Lawyers Poll. This recognition is made by local attorneys who know Attorney Jacqueline Scott and have seen her in action.

Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates can handle each step of your claim, securing you the compensation you deserve while you rest knowing your case is in good hands.

Louisiana Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act Attorney

Similar to standard workers’ compensation laws and the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides compensation benefits to certain maritime workers who are injured on the job, allowing them to recover certain costs from workplace injuries.

Workers covered by this act include maritime workers who do not sail but are directly involved in the harbor’s function, which includes employees who load, unload, construct, or repair ships. Examples of covered workers include:

• Shipbuilders
• Ship repairmen
• Ship assemblers
• Dock workers
• Harbor workers
• Longshoremen
• Stevedores
• Shipbreakers
• Maritime construction workers

These employees must be necessary to the function of the harbor to be covered under this act. If you are unsure whether you qualify for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, you should discuss your situation with an attorney.

Injured at Work

If you were injured while at work, you may be covered under other forms of workers’ compensation insurance. You may also file a civil offshore personal injury claim if someone was negligent and this led to your injury. This may even apply if you are an employee or if the negligent party was not your employer.

Under the act, workers who are injured while performing work functions can recover compensation for the financial loss and physical pain caused by their injuries. These benefits take the place of the typical coverage an employee would get through workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage protects employers from personal liability while also enabling employees to cover the cost of their injuries without needing to prove liability.

Benefits

Benefits include compensation for:

• A portion of the worker’s lost weekly wages while undergoing medical treatment
• An award for injuries to body parts
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Medical bills, including costs of surgery, treatment, prescription medication, and other related costs
• Permanent total and partial disability awards if your injury affects you for the rest of your life
• Temporary total and partial disability awards if your injury affects your ability to earn full income for a period of time
• Rehabilitation costs, including the cost of physical and mental therapy and long-term care needs

The unique benefits of these maritime and federal law benefits are very useful for employees, allowing them to recover the financial losses from their injuries. Unfortunately, they can also make recovering compensation more complicated.

The Act exists to help maritime employers and employees reach fair settlements for injury claims. Unfortunately, employers do not always want to settle for what is fair to the employee. To protect your rights and your financial future, you need to work with an attorney.

Having a workers’ compensation attorney who understands how maritime law works will benefit you significantly. Your attorney will negotiate for you, and if a fair settlement cannot be reached, they can take your claim to court. The support of an attorney means you are more likely to recover the maximum settlement possible.

What Are Common Causes of Maritime Injuries?

Some accidents and injuries that occur in maritime worksites cannot be prevented, even when all parties follow safety regulations and take proper care. However, there are many cases where the incident is caused by the carelessness of an employer, employee, company, or other party. The common causes of maritime accidents and catastrophic injuries include:

• Malfunctioning Equipment: Many maritime employees work with heavy machinery, construction vehicles, and other potentially dangerous tools. This equipment can cause injury for many reasons, including if it malfunctions. Malfunctions may happen even if the equipment is well-maintained and properly used. If equipment is unreasonably dangerous, the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment may be to blame.
• Failure to Maintain: Equipment is more likely to cause dangerous accidents if it is not maintained and repaired when needed. Employers are responsible for ensuring that tools and machines are inspected and fixed or replaced when needed. Personal protective gear provided to employees should also be maintained. If this is not completed, it can cause injuries when equipment breaks or when protective gear fails to protect an employee.
• Improper Safety Regulation: State and federal regulations require certain safety requirements for workplaces. Regulations include how dangerous chemicals are handled or how to inspect worksites for hazards.

While maritime employees may have some unique guidelines, they can still be held liable if they fail to fix hazards or allow a dangerous workplace. An attorney can help you determine what workplace regulations apply to your worksite.

• Lack of Necessary Employee Training: When employees are not trained in safety regulations or the basic workings of their jobs, they are more likely to make mistakes that cause accidents. This is especially true in hazardous worksites.

Employee training may need to state how personal protective gear should be used, how to use dangerous machines and tools, and other important information. If an employer fails to provide this necessary training, it can lead to significant and catastrophic injuries.

Other causes of maritime accidents can include:

• Fatigued and overexerted employees
• Reckless employee behavior
• Improper storage of hazardous chemicals
• Unsecured objects
• Piracy

Workers’ compensation claims do not require fault to file. However, investigating the accident to determine the cause is still important. In some cases, it may uncover additional methods of recovering compensation for injured workers. An attorney can complete an investigation and determine what options you have for recovering from your injuries.

What Injuries Are Common in Maritime and Longshore Accidents?

Every accident and the injuries you sustain are unique, but there are certain injuries that are more common because of accidents like falling objects, explosions, fires, and machinery accidents. Finding an attorney who understands and has handled claims like yours can be helpful. That means your attorney has the medical and other resources needed to understand how your injury will affect you in the long term and how that impacts your claim’s value.

Some common injuries in maritime employment accidents include:

• Heat exhaustion and overexertion injuries
• Lacerations
• Puncture wounds
• Fractured bones
• Nerve damage
• Electric shocks
• Fire, electrical, and chemical burns
• Toxic chemical and other substance exposure
• Toxic inhalation
• Internal organ damage
• Blunt force trauma from explosions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Crushing injuries
• Limb loss

The more serious your injuries are, the more likely they are to require a higher settlement. A serious spinal cord injury can result in full or partial paralysis. These injuries require long-term physical therapy, significant medical costs, and at-home care and may prevent you from ever returning to full-time employment. Your settlement must cover these costs.

Why Do I Need an Attorney After a Maritime Accident?

You need an attorney after a maritime accident because filing for workers’ compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act can be complex, and an attorney provides you the greatest chance of recovering maximum compensation. When you bring a case to a maritime attorney, they can determine if you can recover compensation under the Act and begin the process of filing it and gathering evidence of your damages.

You are likely dealing with significant injuries after a maritime accident, and you should not have to negotiate with your employer to cover those injuries. You should be resting and recovering. By working with a workers’ compensation attorney, they can file your case on time and discuss it with your employer on your behalf, keeping you informed of the status of your case.

You don’t have to worry about complex legal deadlines and requirements and can feel confident your case is in good hands. These claims must be filed in a short period of time after an accident in order for you to recover compensation. After a period of time, you will be barred from recovering compensation through the court. An attorney is aware of these deadlines and can ensure your claim is handled properly.

Holding Employers Accountable

If your employer refuses to provide you with a settlement that fairly compensates your losses or tries to undermine your good faith claim by stating it is not covered, an attorney can bring the claim to court. These cases can take longer, but they can help you recover the most compensation possible and ensure your employer is held accountable.

Attorney Jacqueline Scott — the Woman for the Job

In Louisiana, the oil and gas industry offers many employment opportunities. However, each year, many oil workers are injured “on the rig” or while completing their offshore job duties. These injuries often force workers off the job and can make it difficult for them to pay their bills and support their families.

Navigating the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) can be difficult. There are many strict procedures and timelines that must be followed. It is in your best interests to consult with an experienced lawyer who understands the processes and can help you get your benefits as quickly as possible.

There is help. For more than 27 years, Attorney Jacqueline Scott has been helping injured maritime workers obtain compensation under the LHWCA. Clients throughout the state rely on Attorney Jacqueline Scott to get them the benefits they need when they need them. For help after a work injury, call Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates at 318-746-5997 or email the firm. Consultations are free.

Shreveport, LA Maritime Resources