The number of accidents on ships and vessels rise every year.
Many problems appear when something malfunctions, workers use equipment that does work properly, and when the vessels are maintained in a proper manner.
Working as a seaman, each moment on a ship that doesn't meet the safety requirements represents a huge risk.
According to the U.
S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, fishermen and fish related workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States.
For this very reason, laws were created to insure protection to seamen and other maritime workers.
Maritime law is very complicated to handle because it has evolved much over the last two centuries and keeps evolving.
The only person qualified to represent and defend the rights and interests of injured maritime workers or their families is a maritime attorney.
Why is a maritime lawyer so important? When suffering from a maritime accident, you have to ask for medical and legal assistance as soon as possible.
Your employer may want you to put your signature on some papers in exchange for some wages you did not earn, medical benefits and others just so he can get off the hook quickly.
You have to understand that he is not doing you a favor or carrying after you, he is just saving his business from bad reputation.
Before even considering signing the papers that were given to you by your employer, it is highly recommended you consult with a competent maritime lawyer.
Maritime companies have their own set of defenders which will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of financial damage the accident will have on the company.
A maritime lawyer does his own set of investigations, not interfering with those the company makes.
He tries to take photo evidence from the place where the accident happened and also tries to get as much information as possible from witnesses, from which he will draw the exact circumstances of the maritime accident.
Having a specialized legal defender on your side will grant you valuable information about your case, which maritime laws apply to your situation, how to make statements, which physician to choose and more.
Things you should consider when looking for a maritime lawyer When looking for the right lawyer to defend you in your maritime injury case, there are 3 major things to consider.
These include: 1.
Case experience - Having an experienced lawyer was proven many times to be one of the most important aspects of a legal defense process.
Knowledge is also very important but without experience, it can make your defense suffer and will probably not lead to the case outcome you desire.
2.
Approach - Most of the time you can reach an agreement outside of court.
The lawyers of the two sides will negotiate until a common agreement is made.
Getting a positive agreement for you outside of court will depend on the skill set of your defender.
If this happens, it will speed up the legal process.
3.
Efficiency or case record - Before considering a legal defender, you must make sure that he is well suited for the job.
Gather as much information as you can about his past cases from known ones or former clients.
Another source of valuable information is represented by his case record.
Good lawyers will hand it to without you even asking if they feel confident.
Many problems appear when something malfunctions, workers use equipment that does work properly, and when the vessels are maintained in a proper manner.
Working as a seaman, each moment on a ship that doesn't meet the safety requirements represents a huge risk.
According to the U.
S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, fishermen and fish related workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States.
For this very reason, laws were created to insure protection to seamen and other maritime workers.
Maritime law is very complicated to handle because it has evolved much over the last two centuries and keeps evolving.
The only person qualified to represent and defend the rights and interests of injured maritime workers or their families is a maritime attorney.
Why is a maritime lawyer so important? When suffering from a maritime accident, you have to ask for medical and legal assistance as soon as possible.
Your employer may want you to put your signature on some papers in exchange for some wages you did not earn, medical benefits and others just so he can get off the hook quickly.
You have to understand that he is not doing you a favor or carrying after you, he is just saving his business from bad reputation.
Before even considering signing the papers that were given to you by your employer, it is highly recommended you consult with a competent maritime lawyer.
Maritime companies have their own set of defenders which will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of financial damage the accident will have on the company.
A maritime lawyer does his own set of investigations, not interfering with those the company makes.
He tries to take photo evidence from the place where the accident happened and also tries to get as much information as possible from witnesses, from which he will draw the exact circumstances of the maritime accident.
Having a specialized legal defender on your side will grant you valuable information about your case, which maritime laws apply to your situation, how to make statements, which physician to choose and more.
Things you should consider when looking for a maritime lawyer When looking for the right lawyer to defend you in your maritime injury case, there are 3 major things to consider.
These include: 1.
Case experience - Having an experienced lawyer was proven many times to be one of the most important aspects of a legal defense process.
Knowledge is also very important but without experience, it can make your defense suffer and will probably not lead to the case outcome you desire.
2.
Approach - Most of the time you can reach an agreement outside of court.
The lawyers of the two sides will negotiate until a common agreement is made.
Getting a positive agreement for you outside of court will depend on the skill set of your defender.
If this happens, it will speed up the legal process.
3.
Efficiency or case record - Before considering a legal defender, you must make sure that he is well suited for the job.
Gather as much information as you can about his past cases from known ones or former clients.
Another source of valuable information is represented by his case record.
Good lawyers will hand it to without you even asking if they feel confident.