Trinity Maritime Injury Lawyer
Commercial endeavors on ships, especially cruise ships, are very common in Florida. While the busy waters ensure a measure of job security, they can also create dangerous conditions for fishermen, employees of charter boats, and other water vessels surrounding Florida. If you suffered a maritime injury in or around Trinity, Florida, contact a results-oriented Trinity maritime injury lawyer who could tirelessly pursue compensation for your injuries on ship and shore. Read on to learn more about how a skilled injury attorney could help make a difference for you.
Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates seafaring commerce in the United States. It also provides protection for maritime workers, including the right for crews aboard commercial ships to pursue claims against their employers for injuries that occurred while at sea. To be eligible for suit under the Jones Act, injuries must be caused by the negligence of the ship’s owner, the captain, or other crew members.
Sailors and seamen can seek to recover damages for lost wages, medical bills, and other related expenses, including economic and non-economic losses under the Jones Act. The ability to recover under this legislation is not limited by the inherent danger of the job performed at the time of the injury. Reach out to a dependable injury lawyer to learn more.
Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
Longshoremen and other dock workers are generally not protected under the Jones Act because they are not considered seamen. To compensate for this, the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act provides dock workers with some of the same protections that the Jones Act provides to seafaring counterparts. If injured while working on vessels in dangerous conditions, dock workers can collect damages regardless of the danger levels of the job duty with the help of a dedicated Trinity maritime injury lawyer on their side.
Statute of Limitations
There are strict time frames in which maritime injury claims must be filed. For employees and guests of most vessels, the injured party has three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Failing to do so within that period will result in the case being dismissed by the court. When someone is injured on a cruise ship, they have one year from the date of injury to move forward with the claim. Failing to file a claim within a year will result in the claim being time-barred.
While the statute of limitations does not limit an injured individual’s ability to negotiate a settlement for a personal injury, there is little to no incentive for the other party to negotiate at that point. Any attempts at negotiation after a claim is time-barred in court is likely to result in the issue being dismissed by the company. Know that a determined Trinity maritime injury lawyer can offer their assistance in these instances to try to ensure that the plaintiff receives the compensation they deserve.
Contact a Trinity Maritime Injury Lawyer
Maritime workers depend on their physical ability to support themselves and their families. When an injury occurs, having the best medical treatment and support available may be the difference between being able to return to work or not. A weathered Trinity maritime injury lawyer could help fight for the medical compensation you need so that you can return to life at sea as soon as possible. Reach out to a qualified Trinity maritime injury lawyer today to schedule your initial consultation.