Longshoremen are tasked with loading and unloading cargo from vessels. If you are a longshore employee, you are exposed to hazardous material, heavy equipment, and even just wet surfaces that can cause slips, trips, tumbles, and falls.
There is no shortage of dangerous work, and you will need all the help you can get from a reputable New Orleans maritime lawyer if you are ever involved in a work-related accident. If you were injured on the job, a New Orleans longshoreman injury lawyer from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We have recovered over $100 million in compensation for our clients. Read on to learn more about how the professionals at Scott Vicknair can help you seek financial damages for your longshore-related injuries, and contact us today for a free consultation.
How Longshoremen Get Injured
As your longshoreman injury lawyer in New Orleans, LA, understands, there are many different ways that a longshoreman can become injured, given the nature of the job.
We are incredibly appreciative of the labor and hard work you do and are here to represent you when you are seeking compensation for injuries or illnesses. Because of the work that you do, there are several ways that you may become injured, such as:
- Falling. Because of the heights at which you may be required to work, you may find that you are put in positions where you are more at risk of falling from higher surfaces. When you load or unload cargo, it is possible for catastrophic injuries from a fall, whether you fall onto a ship, a dock, or in the water. This could lead to broken or fractured bones, internal bleeding, spinal injuries, or brain injuries.
- Slipping and falling. You are right next to the water for most, if not all, of your job. The ground you walk on will likely be incredibly wet, and even though you might be used to it, it is still possible to slip and fall.
- Heavy equipment accidents. You may be required to use various types of equipment for your job, including cranes, forklifts, or other vehicles, due to the heavy cargo that needs to be moved around. Any of these kinds of equipment can do serious damage to a longshoreman, whether it is getting hit, crushed, or malfunctioning in any way.
- Exposure to dangerous substances. A New Orleans personal injury lawyer knows that in your line of work, it is extremely common to be exposed to various chemicals every single day. When this is the case, you may be at a significantly greater risk of getting lung diseases or cancer.
- Exposure to loud noises. When you are around certain machinery all the time, you may be exposed to loud noises every day. When this happens, hearing loss can occur early on.
- Objects falling on you. With loading and unloading cargo and the machinery you are around, it is not uncommon for something to get knocked off of a high surface or for a piece of equipment to snap and break. When this happens, it can cause something heavy to fall. If you are under this object, you may find that you suffer from brain damage, broken bones, or permanent disabilities as a result.
The Real Price of a Longshore Injury
An injury is painful, but that is just the start of a very long and frustrating process. When you are injured, you are stuck with medical bills that can break the bank and a lengthy period of recovery that may prevent you from collecting a paycheck for a very long time. Financial instability can be stressful, especially if you are just trying to recover and return to work.
But if you were injured on the job, you should not pay out of pocket while you are just trying to get back on your feet. Fortunately, you can count on the services of a New Orleans longshoreman injury attorney with Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers to help you get the money you deserve.
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504-500-1111Know Your Rights as a Longshoreman
An essential job means essential protections. Longshore employees are no different. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), commonly known as the Longshore Act, was passed in 1927 to ensure that longshore workers are protected in the event of injuries.
Under the Longshore Act, longshoreman, ship-builders, ship-breakers, and even harbor construction employees are able to seek compensation for the injuries they sustained on the job. This is different from the Jones Act, which exclusively covers the right of seamen and other crew on board vessels to seek compensation. But it works very similarly.
The Longshore Act grants you and your fellow longshore employees the right to seek compensation. You will still need a qualified New Orleans longshoreman injury attorney to help you battle on your behalf.
New Orleans Longshoreman Injury FAQ
Am I Covered Under the LHWCA?
The LHWCA applies to longshoremen, shipbuilders, ship repairmen, and maritime workers, just to name a few. To understand if you are covered, it is best to get answers from a knowledgeable New Orleans Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation lawyer. However, you may have a good idea of whether or not you are covered if:
- Your job requires that you work near navigable water. If you spend a good portion of your day working on a wharf, dry dock, terminal, or pier while you build or fix a boat/vessel or load or unload cargo, it is likely you qualify.
- Your job requires you to transport shipping containers away from ships.
Similar to other types of workers’ compensation, you could expect that if you become injured or ill, specifically as a result of the work you are doing as a longshoreman, then you should qualify for certain compensation.
You can even fight for compensation for things like asthma, mesothelioma, and skin diseases if they were triggered by the work you do as a maritime employee. If you are still unsure, do not hesitate to contact our office to explore your options further.
How Can a New Orleans Longshoreman Injury Lawyer Make a Difference?
A claim for workers’ compensation can be difficult, whether you work in a harbor or in an office. However, longshore injuries can be much more severe than injuries sustained on other job sites. Because of their unique nature, longshore injuries should be handled by representatives who have experience in the field.
What Might the Compensation Cover?
When you are fighting for compensation after an injury or illness, you want to know that it will cover your needs. The LHWCA provides compensation for many types of expenses, including:
- Diagnostic testing
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices
I am Worried that My Injury or Illness Will Prevent Me From Returning to My Original Job. What Can I Do?
When you have a lawyer by your side, know that we will work hard to get you the help you need now and help for the future. If you or your doctor do not believe that you will be able to return to your original job, it is possible you could be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. This means you could receive help for counseling, job development, and even job placement.
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504-500-1111Get the Legal Representation You Need from a Longshoreman Injury Attorney in New Orleans, LA
When you have become injured as a result of working as a longshoreman, it is crucial that you get legal representation so that you are not fighting alone.
If you were injured on the job and are ready to move forward to fight for compensation, reach out to the team at Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers. Schedule a free consultation to speak with your longshoreman injury attorney in New Orleans, LA, now.
