Maritime Attorney in Hilton Head

Two federal statutes entitle offshore workers to specific benefits when they are injured or pass away on the job.

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): The LHWCA provides compensation to those (or on behalf of those) who are disabled or die as the result of an on-the-job injury or occupational disease that occurred on U.S. navigable waters.

The statute, together with its extensions, covers four categories of employees:

• In traditional maritime occupations (e.g., longshore workers, shipbuilders, and harbor construction workers)
• Working on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States in the exploration and development of natural resources (e.g. off-shore oil drilling rigs)
• U.S. government contractors who perform work overseas
• Civilian employees of certain instrumentalities of the U.S. Armed Forces

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (The Jones Act): The Jones Act allows the allotment of monetary damages for seamen injured or killed in the course of employment as a result of the employer’s negligence. Relief and benefits under the Jones Act are available to any seamen who spent at least 30% of their time aboard a Merchant Marine vessel.

Recovery may vary depending upon the law and the circumstances, but in most cases injured parties may be eligible for compensation related to the following.

• Medical Care: You may be able to recover the costs of medical treatment, supplies and services, vocational rehabilitation, and travel expenses for such treatment.
• Disability Benefits: You may be entitled to disability compensation if you sustain an injury or occupational disease that makes you unable to earn the same wages that you were receiving at the time of injury.
• Survivor Benefits: If the work injury causes, contributes to, or hastens the employee's death, death benefits may be available to certain specified survivors. Funeral expenses may also be available.

If you think you are entitled to compensation under one of these provisions, you should act quickly. The law limits the time you have to bring a claim. Contact a Hilton Head attorney today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Passengers injured or killed aboard ships, or who have sustained damage to their property, may also be entitled to compensation. Boat owners and operators owe a duty of care to their passengers. When that duty is breached, an affected passenger may bring a claim for compensation under a statute or under personal injury and negligence law. Contact an attorney today to protect your legal rights.

At Morgan & Morgan, we don’t charge out-of-pocket costs. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so we only get paid if we succeed on your claim. You can afford our services!

Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the country. We’ve been providing our clients with the highest quality legal services since 1988 and have won more than $20 billion on their behalf. We’ll fight for you too. Start by completing our free case evaluation form.