Have you suffered an accident on an offshore rig? Has this injury affected your quality of life? Then you should take into account that this is a common problem for offshore oil rig workers.
Cutbacks on safety regulations have hit the offshore drilling industry, resulting in a spike in injuries. Additionally, while oil rig injuries can be debilitating, they are also difficult to handle in court without the right lawyer.
If you’ve suffered an accident on an offshore rig and don’t know what steps to take, then keep reading. This article will tell you everything you need to know about hiring an offshore rig accident lawyer.
Make Sure That Your Injury Is Documented
You can have the best lawyer in the world, but your case will have slim chances unless your injury is documented. Luckily, this can be done shortly after an accident on a rig.
You must get a doctor to assess the state of your injuries. This ensures that an accurate record is in place to be used by your lawyer.
Remember, the hours and days following your accident are critical if you want to get a settlement.
Consult An Attorney Immediately After an Offshore Rig Accident
After deck accidents, your employers may document your statements or try to get you to sign forms. It would be a huge mistake to do this without consulting an offshore rig accident lawyer first.
In your injured state, you will be vulnerable, and your company may take advantage of this to hurt your case’s chances.
An offshore injury attorney can make sure that you won’t make any damaging statements following your injury.
You Should Be Familiar With the Jones Act
Working on an offshore rig means that different workplace laws apply to you. With this in mind, you should be familiar with the Jones Act, an important maritime law that is essential in any offshore accident case.
Also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, this law guarantees you as a maritime worker the right to sue in the event of an accident. There are also restrictions to this law’s coverage. For example, the number of hours you spend on a rig determines if you are considered a maritime worker at all.
The Jones Act is a valuable resource that many injured maritime workers don’t know about. So make sure to bring it up when you hire a lawyer for your case.
Special Circumstances Demand a Special Lawyer
Injuries on the job occur every day, but an offshore rig is far from your average workplace. Dangers like explosions and fires are always a possibility and can cause injuries that will affect you for years to come.
By hiring an offshore rig accident lawyer, you can sleep well knowing that your case is being handled by someone with experience and legal knowledge.
If you found this article helpful and want to learn more about legal representation, then make sure to search our website further. We have articles covering a vast array of legal topics!
