Offshore Injuries/FELA Lawyers
Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., Can Help with Offshore Accident Claims
Offshore work can be both rewarding and risky. Workers in industries such as oil and gas, fishing, and shipping often face unique hazards. When accidents occur, understanding the claims process is crucial for securing compensation. This article explores the essential aspects of offshore accident claims, providing a comprehensive overview for those affected. At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., we represent individuals who work offshore and on railroad lines. When profits are put above safety, those employees can suffer serious injuries or death.
What Are Offshore Accidents?
Offshore accidents refer to incidents that occur while workers are engaged in maritime activities. These can include:
- Injuries on Oil Rigs: Workers may suffer from falls, equipment malfunctions, or exposure to hazardous materials.
- Fishing Vessel Incidents: Crew members can face dangers from rough seas, equipment failures, or accidents while handling heavy gear.
- Cargo Ship Mishaps: Loading and unloading operations can lead to injuries if safety protocols are not followed.
Federal Protection for Offshore and Railroad Workers in Negligence-Related Accidents
This document details the key federal regulations designed to protect offshore and railroad employees from the devastating consequences of negligence-related accidents, covering both injuries and fatalities. These laws provide avenues for compensation and justice when workplace negligence leads to career-ending or fatal outcomes.
The Jones Act and Federal Maritime Law —
The Jones Act, a cornerstone of maritime law, provides a critical legal framework for protecting seafarers and other maritime workers. It establishes the right to compensation for injuries or death resulting from the negligence of the employer or the unseaworthiness of the vessel. The scope of the Jones Act is extensive, covering a broad range of maritime workers, including:
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- Crew members on ships and vessels of all types and sizes.
- Workers on offshore oil rigs, platforms, and other marine structures.
- Inland river workers engaged in maritime activities.
- Other individuals directly involved in maritime operations.
The Jones Act’s provisions extend beyond simple negligence to encompass situations where the vessel or equipment is found to be unseaworthy, meaning it is not fit for its intended purpose due to a lack of proper maintenance, repair, or equipment. This significantly broadens the scope of protection for maritime workers.
Death on the High Seas Act (DOTHSA) —
DOTHSA addresses wrongful death claims occurring more than three nautical miles from shore. This act is crucial for providing recourse to families of maritime workers who die as a result of negligence. DOTHSA allows for the recovery of damages, including:
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- Loss of support and companionship
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death
The act ensures that dependents—spouses, children, parents, and other financially dependent relatives—have a legal avenue to seek compensation for their loss.
Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) —
FELA is specifically designed to protect railroad workers. It holds railroads liable for injuries sustained by their employees due to negligence. Unlike many state workers’ compensation systems, FELA allows for lawsuits to be filed against the railroad company directly, without the limitations and restrictions often found in state-level programs. Under FELA, railroad workers can recover damages for:
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- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment
FELA significantly improves the legal standing of railroad workers who experience job-related injuries, ensuring they have a strong legal avenue to seek compensation for their losses.
Corpus Christi Accident Lawyers Helping the Victims of Offshore Injuries
The workplace injury attorneys at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., have been helping the injured for almost two decades with personal injury claims. They have a comprehensive knowledge of the above-listed federal laws. They take on the complexities of cases involving injured or killed offshore workers.
From identifying grease on the floor of a ship that caused a serious fall to prove that a ship is unseaworthy, we team up with industry experts to build a fact-based case. We hold offshore companies liable for allowing dangerous settings that put their employees’ safety and lives at risk.
Contact our Corpus Christi offshore injury attorney today for a no-obligation free consultation. Our experienced offshore injury lawyer can help you.
If you’ve been hurt offshore, then the company you work for or were contracted with are already mobilizing to limit your options and create legal cover for themselves. During difficult times, put yourself in the hands of experienced lawyers, focused on fighting for your rights. Contact us at our Corpus Christi office at (361)792-2358 or our McAllen office at (956)622-4200.
Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth , TX.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.
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