Being a shipyard worker can be a dangerous career path to follow. There are many opportunities for accidents to occur in these chaotic, loud environments. If you have fallen victim to one of the many dangers within a shipyard, having our experienced Gretna shipyard accident lawyer by your side can give you the assistance needed to get the compensation you deserve.
Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers strives to support our clients with a service-driven approach to winning. We pride ourselves on being an active member of the community, and it shows in our acts of philanthropy and engagement with the citizens of Gretna and surrounding areas of Louisianna. When you work with our Gretna maritime lawyer, you are in good hands.
Compensation in a Gretna Shipyard Accident Case
Compensation in a Gretna shipyard accident is not something that can be determined with a quick conversation. There are many factors in determining the value of a case and how much your Gretna personal injury lawyer may request in damages. Some of the things they may use to value your case include:
- Medical bills
- Bills for mental health treatment
- Medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and Suffering
Generally speaking, the economic damages will be calculated first. These are losses that can be easily quantified by looking at invoices, receipts, or pay stubs. Then, your attorney will likely calculate the non-economic damages like pain and suffering based on the value of your tangible losses, giving you the total requested damages.
Settlement Vs. Court Order
The first amount you and your request will almost certainly be denied, and that’s okay. Similarly, your shipyard accident lawyer in Gretna will almost certainly suggest you deny their first offer. The negotiation process is just that, a negotiation. If you are unable to agree on a fair settlement amount, you may choose to take your case before a judge.
When you take your case to court, the judge will hear your case and determine who is responsible for damages and how much they will pay. Oftentimes, insurance companies will try to avoid this because a judge’s decision can be difficult to anticipate, meaning they may end up with an order to pay more than you were asking, in addition to legal fees. However, you may find yourself in a similar situation where you walk away with nothing.
Wrongful Death and Punitive Damages in a Gretna Shipyard Accident
While you may walk away from many of these injuries, hundreds do not. If you are wondering what to do if a loved one dies in an industrial work accident, you may have several options. These may vary depending on your loved ones’ specific position and the accident that caused their death, so hiring representation from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers may be critical in maximizing what you recover for your losses.
If a genuine accident caused the death of your loved one, you may be eligible to recover survivor benefits through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. However, if you believe the accident was caused by employer negligence, you may decide to continue with a personal injury case by working with a wrongful death attorney.
In cases where the negligent party’s behavior was found to be particularly egregious or negligent, the court may decide to add additional damages meant to punish the responsible party. Known as punitive damages, these are awarded by the court separately from compensatory damages. While the purpose is deterring behavior, instead of compensating the injured party, the damages are paid to the plaintiff.
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504-500-1111Cause of Gretna Shipyard Accidents
Industrial settings, and especially shipyards and other maritime fields, show some of the highest rates of injury and death. Recently, the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shared that the rate of fatal injuries in shipyards is nearly twice as high as in other fields. These higher accident and injury numbers are likely due to regular environmental exposure to things like:
- Prolonged or regular exposure to toxic substances
- Working with high voltage electricity near water
- Negligent management or leadership
- Heavy machinery
- Sharp or hot tools
- Heights
- Explosives
- Proximity to open water
Management is generally aware of these risk factors and implements policies to minimize the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths. Unfortunately, these are not always enough to prevent accidents, which is when our shipyard accident attorney in Gretna, LA, comes in. There are frequently multiple options for recovering compensation depending on the specifics of your injury, and our firm may help you determine your best option.
Common Injuries in Gretna Shipyard Accidents
The many hazards discussed above contribute to the varied injuries a Gretna shipyard accident can cause. While any injury can be devastating, the severity of what we see can vary dramatically in the way it affects someone’s livelihood. Some of the injuries our shipyard accident attorney in Gretna may see more commonly include:
- Crush Injuries
- Traumatic amputation
- Broken Bones
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Facial trauma
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
While some of these injuries may mean a couple of days out of work and some time on light duty, others can have devastating consequences on your ability to continue with your daily life, including your ability to support yourself and your family. You and your family should not suffer because of someone else’s negligence.
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504-500-1111Call Our Shipyard Accident Lawyer in Gretna, LA, Today
Everyone deserves to feel generally safe while they are in public spaces, and a shipping yard is no different. While we know there is an increased risk of accident and injury in these environments, the employer, owner, or manager has a duty to take reasonable precautions to ensure your safety. If they are negligent in this duty and it injures you, you may be entitled to compensation.
Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is committed to client satisfaction, and our shipyard accident lawyer in Gretna, LA, is no exception. Our core values drive us to prioritize ethical work and accountability for our team. Call us today because you do not have to tackle this process alone.