If you have suffered from a maritime injury, it’s important to act fast.
Offshore workers only have a small window of opportunity to receive the fair compensation they deserve for any maritime injuries. And unfortunately, most offshore workers do not know the proper actions and steps to take shortly after the injury.
At the Maritime Injury Law Firm, we’ve been helping injured offshore workers in New Orleans, Louisiana, and throughout the Gulf Coast for years.
To help you get the proper compensation you deserve, here are five steps to keep in mind after you suffer an offshore injury:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an offshore injury.
Even if you aren’t sure you need medical attention, some injuries can lie beneath the surface undetected at first. If these sorts of injuries are left untreated, they could negatively impact your life for years to come.
Seeking medical attention immediately also helps you document the accident and its repercussions. If available, try to use your own physician for the examination.
2. Notify Your Employer
After the injury occurs, you need to contact and inform your employer of the accident.
At the very minimum, your immediate supervisor should be informed, though some of your coworkers may report the accident as well if the injury is serious enough.
Do not just rely on your coworkers to report this information, though. Inform your employer yourself and keep a copy of what happened on paper.
3. Gather All Relevant Information
Reporting the incident with provable information is necessary for fair compensation.
It’s imperative that you document as much evidence as possible as quickly as possible, though the process can be tedious.
This includes photographing the area of the accident and equipment used or involved. You also should contact all eyewitnesses to corroborate your story.
4. Remain Silent
Make sure to stay tight-lipped during this process.
Anything you say to your coworkers, employer, or other people can be held against you during the court proceedings. Speaking to a Louisiana maritime lawyer about who you should and shouldn’t talk to will help your case in the long run.
Likewise, do not sign anything without contacting your attorney first. After you sign a document, you might not be able to get the full compensation you deserve.
5. Contact A Louisiana Maritime Lawyer
Maritime injury law is complex.
There are laws in place to protect offshore workers, but having an experienced Gulf Coast maritime injury lawyer to guide you through the process is critical.
Because of how serious maritime injury can be, it’s imperative that you contact a legal professional right away for a consultation. Seeking legal representation from a maritime injury law firm will give you the best opportunity for fair compensation and representation.
Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm For A Free Consultation Today
A maritime injury is no joking matter. If you find yourself injured offshore, it’s imperative that you seek medical attention, notify your employer, gather all relevant information, remain silent, and contact a legal professional as soon as possible.
Taking these steps will not only help you get the best care for your situation, but it will also give you the best chances of receiving fair compensation and representation for the accident.
With the help of our knowledge and experience at The Maritime Injury Law Firm, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to set up a free, confidential consultation.