Alabama Maritime Accident Lawyer

Alabama Maritime Accident Attorney

Legal Help for Alabama Workers Injured in Maritime Accidents

Maritime accidents involve longshoremen, offshore workers, divers and others who work aboard or near ships. These are relatively common in Alabama as well as the surrounding Gulf of Mexico waters. Various occupational hazards and the negligence of employers cause many of these accidents.

At the Houston law firm of Stevenson & Murray, we earned a reputation for providing strong representation to the victims of maritime accidents. Furthermore, we focus the majority of our practice on maritime and admiralty law. Consequently, we developed a comprehensive understanding of the issues that are unique to these types of cases.

Were you the victim of an Alabama maritime injury? Or, did you lose a loved one due to another’s negligence? If either of these apply to you, then we invite you to contact our offices. We offer a free initial consultation with a leading maritime accident attorney. Se habla español.

Causes of Maritime Accidents

No two maritime accidents are the same. Because of this, we regularly utilize an extensive network of experts to aid in our case preparation. Over the years, our firm has successfully handled maritime accidents/Jones Act cases resulting from:

• Defective drilling platforms. Offshore drilling is incredibly dangerous in various ways, and employers in this sector must meet rigorous safety standards to minimize the chance of injuries to their employees. If a defect on a drilling platform caused your accident, you have the right to seek accountability from the party responsible for the defect.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals. Many people working in maritime operations face chemical hazards while working, some of which can cause severe medical complications over time. If you believe your recent diagnosis is the result of your maritime working conditions, an Alabama maritime accident attorney is the best resource to consult.
• Reckless navigation and collisions. If the captain and/or crew of the vessel on which you were injured failed to use proper navigation techniques and caused a ship collision, they are likely to face liability for your damages along with other legal penalties based on the severity of their actions.
• Slip and falls. If you slipped and fell while working your maritime job, you may have grounds for a claim against your employer. A “slip and fall” may sound minor, but these incidents often cause devastating and life-changing injuries.
• Explosions. An explosion can be a devastating incident capable of inflicting severe or fatal injuries on those caught in the blast. Recovery from this type of maritime accident is likely to require an investigation into the initial cause of the blast, and your Alabama maritime accident attorney will provide the legal counsel you need to navigate the case effectively.
• Electrocutions. Electrical hazards can easily cause catastrophic harm, including cardiovascular interruptions and nerve damage.
• Faulty equipment or safety gear. It’s possible for a maritime employer or a product manufacturer to face liability if your recent accident occurred because of faulty equipment or safety gear.

The first step in recovering from a maritime accident is determining which US maritime laws apply to your case. For example, if you were injured onboard an employer’s vessel, you could have grounds for a Jones Act claim and/or a seaworthiness claim depending on the cause of the accident. If you work as a longshoreman, your case may fall within the purview of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Once your attorney has identified the area of law to which your case pertains, the next phase is proving who is responsible for your damages and then proving the full scope of those damages. Compensation depends on the nature of your maritime accident. However, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Calculating Your Damages in a Maritime Accident Case

Many types of accidents can lead to complex civil claims from victims, and the laws that govern maritime accidents all include various rules and regulations when it comes to the damages available to plaintiffs. Depending on the type of injury you suffered and which maritime laws apply to your case, you could be entitled to recover:

• Medical expenses, both immediate and future. Once you have proven liability for your accident, you will likely be able to recover the cost of any and all the medical care you require to reach maximum medical improvement from your injury.
• Vocational retraining. Unfortunately, some maritime accidents leave victims unable to return to their previous job duties, forcing them to seek alternative work. If your accident has left you in this position, you may be able to claim compensation for the cost of training for a new job.
• Lost income. If your accident has left you unable to work and earn income, you can hold the defendant responsible for all the lost wages you incurred during your recovery period. Unfortunately, some serious maritime accidents leave victims completely unable to work in the future, even after reaching maximum medical improvement from their injuries. You can hold the defendant accountable for lost future earning capacity in addition to direct lost wages with the right attorney handling your case.

When you have experienced legal counsel from an Alabama maritime accident attorney on your side, you may be surprised to discover you can claim far more compensation than you initially expected. The team at Stevenson & Murray accepts each maritime accident case with the goals of streamlining our client’s recovery efforts as much as possible and maximizing the total compensation they obtain for their damages.

FAQs About Alabama Maritime Laws

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Alabama Maritime Accident Attorney?

If you are struggling in the aftermath of your recent maritime accident and the resulting financial problems your injury has caused, it is understandable to have concerns about the potential cost of legal counsel. Stevenson & Murray accepts clients on a contingency fee basis, so there is only a legal fee for our services once we win your case. There are no upfront legal expenses, and you pay nothing if we cannot secure compensation for your damages.

Can You Seek Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Alabama?

Any personal injury, including a maritime accident injury, is likely to cause severe pain and psychological trauma to the victim alongside their tangible economic losses. If you have grounds for a civil claim for damages, you have the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering the defendant caused, and there is no cap or limit on the amount you can claim. If you must file a maritime accident claim under the Jones Act or certain other US maritime laws, pain and suffering are still claimable, and your attorney can help you determine a fair amount.

How Do I Prove Fault for a Maritime Personal Injury Accident?

Many types of accident claims fall within the purview of maritime law. To succeed with any type of maritime accident claim, you must be prepared to prove exactly how your accident happened and who caused it. An experienced Alabama maritime accident attorney is the best resource to have on your side in this effort, and your legal team can advise you as to what types of evidence and testimony are likely to be crucial to your accident claim.

How Long Will It Take to Finalize My Maritime Accident Case?

The time required to complete your maritime accident claim depends on several factors, most importantly, the willingness of the defendant to accept liability, the scope and severity of your claimable damages, and whether more than one party bears fault for your damages. One of the best things you can do to streamline your legal proceedings is to hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you address your immediate medical concerns after your accident. Your Alabama maritime accident attorney can provide an estimate of how long your case will likely take to resolve.

Contact Our Alabama Maritime Accident Lawyers Today

Our attorneys are dedicated to standing up for the rights of everyday people. We then help them seek full financial recovery for their injuries. If you need real answers and real help to recover after a maritime accident in Alabama or the Gulf of Mexico, then call us at (713) 622-3223. You may also contact us by e-mail. We offer a free initial consultation.