Not having to work in an office, but instead on the ocean, can be financially and spiritually rewarding. Working offshore, taking in the salty air and feeling the sea breeze has been the allure of maritime jobs for centuries. Although technology has advanced, one thing that has remained constant throughout history when it comes to working on the high seas is that the maritime industry is one of the most dangerous to work in.Â
Maritime jobs include roughnecks on oil rigs, sailors, seamen, commercial fisherman, port authority personnel and engine officers. These jobs pay well but come with inherent dangers. The seas can become furious, ships and vessels may have faulty construction, and, like any other industry, a coworker may act negligently, leading to an injury.Â
But it’s not only offshore injuries that occur in the maritime industry. Dockworkers (stevedores) and harbor workers who are tasked with heavy lifting or the handling of massive cargo containers are at near-constant risk of getting injured on the job.Â
Cruise ship workers are also part of the maritime jobs industry. Although many people assume working on a cruise ship can be fun and exciting, the truth is that there are more inherent risks in this field than a typical office job. While massive cruise ship accidents due to foul weather are relatively rare, there is always the risk of food poisoning, viral outbreaks, and slips and falls.Â
Working in the maritime industry is riskier than typical 9 to 5 jobs. This is one reason why if a maritime worker experiences an injury on the job, the worker does not have to prove that their injury was primarily caused by an employer’s negligence. All that’s required to receive compensation is that the employer was in part negligent, no matter how small of a percentage.Â
If you have been injured on the job, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in maritime law and knows all the intricacies of the 1920 Merchant Marine Act (Jones Act).Â
A maritime personal injury attorney can not only fight for you in court, they can identify what potential liabilities existed that you were not protected from as well as the extent of the physical, psychological and emotional damages you suffered as a result.Â
If you want to get the best possible result from your case, you’ll need the best personal injury attorney you can find.Â
And to find the best attorney for your case, you need Attorney at Law.Â
At AAL, we have a nationwide network of experienced attorneys and law firms with the knowledge and resources to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Additionally, all of the law firms AAL partners with work on a contingency basis. That means that you don’t have to pay for anything during the trial and if they don’t win your case, you pay nothing.