Mississippi Maritime Accident Lawyer

Legal Help for Mississippi Workers Injured in Maritime Accidents

Maritime workers not only perform some of the most inherently dangerous jobs on the planet, but they also face a host of unique legal issues when they suffer injuries while working at sea. Unlike injured workers on land who often have the ability to file for workers’ compensation benefits, most maritime workers are not covered by state-level workers’ compensation laws. Instead, they must turn to federal maritime legislation like the Jones Act to recover their damages from maritime work-related injuries.

Stevenson & Murray offers client-focused legal representation for a wide range of maritime injury claims. After years of representing workers injured in maritime accidents across the nation and around the world, we have come to recognize the tactics major petrochemical companies use to recruit workers from rural areas.

Oil and gas companies rely on workers that come from communities where a job on a drilling platform, jackup rig, semisubmersible or drill boat represents the best available employment opportunity for the worker and his or her entire family. Maritime work is often a multigenerational career for families in Mississippi.

Drilling and exploration companies talk about loyalty. The corporate representatives say they will take care of you and your family if something happens. But if you are looking for an attorney to help you after a serious maritime accident injury, you already know that sometimes these promises are empty.

Why You Need a Mississippi Maritime Injury Attorney

The Houston law firm of Stevenson & Murray has built a nationwide reputation for obtaining real results for qualified offshore workers, Jones Act seamen or longshoremen injured in an accident on a work vessel operating out of ports in Mississippi and worldwide. When you need legal representation after any type of work-related injury, it is essential to hire an attorney who has proven professional experience handling cases similar to yours.

It’s relatively common for injured maritime workers to misunderstand aspects of their options for legal recourse after sustaining injuries while working at sea. Our firm helps every client understand all of the unique legal mechanisms at work in their case and explore the full extent of their recovery options. We invite you to contact us for a free initial consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options for getting the money you need after a serious maritime accident.

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Do You Have a Case?

Determining if you have a case depends on the particular circumstances of your employment and how you were injured. Maritime and admiralty law is a complex area of practice. Unlike the experienced attorneys at Stevenson & Murray, many personal injury attorneys simply do not have the experience or detailed legal knowledge to answer this question.

During your initial case evaluation, you will have an opportunity to work one on one with a highly knowledgeable and attentive attorney who can offer you practical legal advice and honest answers based on years of experience in the field. Stevenson & Murray provides all types of maritime injury claim representation, including:

• Jones Act claims. Our firm has years of experience representing clients in Jones Act claims and will help you understand the details of the proceedings you face in your recovery efforts.
• Longshoreman injury claims. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) exists specifically to address work-related injuries suffered by longshoremen. Our team has successfully handled many longshore injury claims, and we know the unique challenges these cases often present.
• Offshore oil and gas drilling injuries. Offshore drilling of any kind is inherently dangerous for many reasons, including the risk of injury from heavy equipment and exposure to harmful substances. We will help you determine the full scope of damages you can claim and identify the party or parties responsible for those damages.
• Catastrophic injury claims. Some maritime accidents leave victims permanently disabled, some of whom may be unwilling to work or earn income for extended periods of time. Stevenson & Murray will help you determine the full scope of immediate and long-term damages you can seek from the party responsible for your injury. This includes appropriate pain and suffering compensation if you are left completely unable to work and handle everyday tasks with a diminished quality of life.
• Illness and maritime exposure injuries. Maritime work conditions are often very arduous, and many maritime workers work with or near harmful substances that can eventually cause life-threatening medical conditions to manifest. Consequently, these cases tend to be the most difficult maritime accident claims because the claimant faces the challenge of proving their diagnosis is the direct result of their work conditions and not some other cause.
• Seaworthiness claims. If your maritime accident occurred because the vessel on which you were injured was not seaworthy, either the captain or owner of the vessel is liable for your damages. We will help determine fault in your seaworthiness claim and hold the at-fault party appropriately accountable.

These are just a few examples of the types of maritime accident cases our firm has successfully handled for clients in Mississippi and throughout the United States. We are prepared to extend the full range of our firm’s experience, skills, and resources in handling your case, and the sooner we begin your case filings, the more likely you are to reach the best possible results.

FAQs About Mississippi Maritime Laws

What Is “Maintenance and Cure” in a Maritime Injury Case?

“Maintenance and cure” is a term used to define the compensation an injured maritime worker requires to heal as fully as possible from their injury and manage the economic effects of the inability to work while they recover. Specifically, “maintenance” refers to the injured victim’s day-to-day living expenses and lost income, and “cure” refers to the cost of the medical care they require for treating their injuries. It’s important for the victim of a maritime injury to understand that they have the right to claim full compensation for any and all medical care they require for their injury, including the cost of anticipated future medical expenses when they have suffered a serious injury.

How Much Is My Mississippi Maritime Injury Claim Worth?

The total value of your case hinges on the scope and severity of your damages. Under the Jones Act and other maritime injury laws, you have the right to claim maintenance and cure along with compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. This may sound difficult to translate into a monetary figure, but an experienced maritime injury attorney can help determine the full breadth of recovery options available to you that can enhance your final case award.

How Long Will It Take to Settle My Maritime Injury Claim?

If the defendant who injured you accepts responsibility for your damages, a swift settlement benefits both parties. A private settlement negotiation enables the parties involved to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their case while avoiding the stress and expense of a protracted court case. Your maritime injury attorney can provide an estimate of how long your case is likely to take to complete.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Maritime Injury Attorney in Mississippi?

Most maritime injury attorneys work on contingency. This means their fee is contingent upon their success in securing compensation for their client’s injury. When you hire a maritime injury attorney on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay any upfront or ongoing legal fees and will only owe a fee once they win compensation on your behalf. Verify your chosen attorney’s billing policy before signing a contract for their representation.

Is It Worth Hiring a Mississippi Maritime Injury Attorney?

Legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset if you are facing any type of maritime work-related injury. Your legal team can manage your case proceedings on your behalf so you can focus on recovery and your other obligations. They can also uncover all available channels of compensation in your claim and are likely able to secure a more substantial case award than you could manage on your own.

Contact Stevenson & Murray

Our firm is dedicated to standing up for the victims of negligence and helping them exercise their right to seek full financial recovery. If you need real answers and real help to recover after a maritime accident in Mississippi or the Gulf of Mexico, please call us at (713) 622-3223 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. You may also contact us by email.