Lake Charles Maritime Accident Lawyer

Lake Charles Maritime Accident Attorney

Accidents at sea can alter one’s life quickly. The Roach Law Firm is a trusted resource for those injured at sea, and a Lake Charles maritime accident lawyer from our firm can provide crucial help in the aftermath of an accident.

Workers employed by Louisiana-based maritime companies hire our attorneys because they know we understand their unique challenges. Our team seeks to recover maximum compensation for those injured in Louisiana waters.

Support For Those Injured On The Water

Maritime accidents can involve a wide range of workers, as well as recreational boaters. We have the experience necessary to represent anyone who has sustained their injuries on the water. The Roach Law Firm is a trustworthy source of information and help for people injured in maritime offshore accidents in Louisiana waters or for workers based in Louisiana companies. Our offshore maritime accident clients may include:

• Boat crew members. Captains, mates, deckhands, and engineers are among the workers necessary to efficiently operate various commercial vessels. These crew members work long hours in demanding conditions and sometimes sustain life-threatening injuries from slip-and-fall accidents, equipment malfunctions, vessel-to-vessel collisions, or harsh weather exposure.
• Dock workers. Hard-working individuals employed in loading, unloading, and securing cargo on docks can play an essential role in the maritime industry. The harsh maritime working environment can expose these people to hazards daily. From heavy machinery to falling objects, they can have difficulty recovering after injury.
• longshoremen. The maritime industry could not continue without the help of longshoremen. These workers unload and load cargo from ships onto land-based transportation. They can sustain serious injuries from falling cargo striking them or getting their limbs caught in machinery.
• Offshore oil platform workers. Individuals building and maintaining offshore rigs face unique dangers. These workers can risk their lives daily by exposure to explosions, fires, toxic chemicals, falls from great heights, and helicopter accidents.
• Ship passengers. While many people work on the sea, others come to enjoy it through cruise ships, ferries, or other passenger vessels. These passengers expect a safe experience. Unfortunately, accidents occur due to slippery decks, inadequate railings, malfunctioning equipment, or negligent vehicle operation.

If you suffered a serious or catastrophic injury (or lost a loved one) in an accident on a boat, rig or dock, you should consult with a knowledgeable attorney. The Roach Law Firm is well-versed in laws that apply in maritime cases, such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Death on the High Seas Act and the Jones Act. We have been helping injured people recover compensation since 1959.

Our law firm has a long track record of favorable outcomes for injured offshore workers, ship passengers, and fishermen and women. Whether your maritime accident occurred in a recreational setting (such as on a pleasure boat) or in a work environment (such as on an oil spill cleanup crew boat), we welcome your inquiry. Allow us to explain how we can help you recover all the compensation you are eligible for.

Types of Maritime Accident Cases

We have a thorough knowledge of maritime law, and we strive to support anyone who comes to us seeking justice in their maritime accident case. Our clients contact us after suffering injuries such as the following in offshore situations such as on barges in the Gulf of Mexico:

Chemical Toxic Exposure Injuries

Offshore work is often associated with toxic chemical exposures. Many people suffer from inhaling or coming into contact with benzene, asbestos, and lead. These exposures can lead to numerous health problems, like cancer, respiratory illnesses, or neurological disorders.

Slip and Fall Accidents

It can be extremely common to encounter wet surfaces, uneven decks, and inadequate railings at sea. When the presence of these hazards leads to a slip-and-fall accident, you can turn to us for help. These incidents are some of the most common causes of injuries to maritime workers.

Collisions

Some boast crashes happen due to negligent operation, inattention, or mechanical failure. Regardless of their cause, they can result in tragedies. When collisions occur, the severity of the injuries can depend on the size and speed of the vessels, amongst other factors.

Explosions and Fires

Explosions and fires often happen at sea, especially when equipment malfunctions or issues exist with volatile cargo. These incidents can result in burn injuries, smoke inhalation, or death to workers or passengers.

Other injuries can include:

• Broken bones
• Head injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Burn injuries

The Emotional Toll of a Maritime Accident

At The Roach Law Firm, we understand the importance of your physical well-being, as well as the psychological and emotional impact a maritime accident can have. We know how difficult maritime work is and how stressful it can be to sustain an injury at sea.

While your physical ailments can be severe, sometimes, the emotional pain can exacerbate your suffering, causing an immense strain on your life. After serious accidents, some people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression as they try to recover.

The hardships maritime workers face can be difficult for many people to understand, but not for The Roach Law Firm. We know the challenges you face and can help you get on the path to recovery from the emotional turmoil your accident caused you.

How Do Maritime Accident Claims Differ From Other Cases?

Maritime accident claims present unique legal challenges compared to more common personal injury or workers’ compensation claims. With maritime cases, you’re likely to encounter complexities regarding jurisdictions, investigations, and liability. Depending on the location of the accident, it can be difficult to understand whether federal or state maritime laws apply. Our team is skilled in both federal and Louisiana law.

Another way maritime cases can differ from others is that many people have a difficult time gathering evidence after these accidents. We can find ways to investigate even when there is limited access to the accident scene.

The potential number of liable parties also makes maritime accident cases unique. While not every case involves numerous parties, some do. Depending on the circumstances, entities involved can include vessel owners, employers, manufacturers, and distributors. Some people find it difficult to keep track of who is responsible for what aspect of the accident.

Compensation We Can Fight for

You deserve compensation when you sustain an injury in a maritime accident. We do not shy away from aggressively pursuing maximum amounts. Our team can understand how your life has changed after your accident and what you need to recover. When we seek what we deserve, we go after elements such as:

• Medical Expenses: Past, present, and future medical bills can add up. All medical expenses associated with your injury are important to your case, including hospital time, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, physical therapy, and mental health therapy. Your accident’s life-altering expenses should not come out of your pocket. You deserve compensation.
• Lost Wages: After a severe injury, you will likely be unable to work while you recover. The physical demands of maritime work could prevent you from recovering. We analyze what you should earn while you recover and calculate any wages you might lose in the future because of your inability to work the same job.
• Pain and Suffering: If you’re filing a personal injury claim, you can secure compensation for your physical and emotional pain. Maritime accidents can cause excruciating pain immediately after the accident and for years to come. We can work with you to document your pain and suffering for appropriate compensation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: While difficult to quantify, we can pursue payment for your loss of enjoyment of life in a personal injury claim. If you can no longer participate in things that bring you joy, this is important to your case.

Choose An Experienced Attorney Who Can Protect Your Rights

To schedule a free consultation with a lawyer and discuss an accident at sea, on a river or on a dock, call 337-433-8504 or email The Roach Law Firm in Lake Charles. We have been helping injured people recover compensation in maritime accident cases and other personal injury cases in Southwest Louisiana for more than 50 years.