Working on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico can be financially rewarding, but it’s also one of the most dangerous jobs out there. When injuries happen offshore, many workers instinctively go to the company-recommended doctor. After all, that doctor is supposed to help keep you healthy and get you back on your feet, right?
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. The reality is that company doctors are paid by your employer, and in many cases, their loyalty lies with the company, not you. That’s why it’s critical to get a second opinion from an independent physician. If you’ve been injured while working offshore, The Maritime Injury Law Firm is here to protect your rights and your financial future.
Why You Should Get a Second Opinion After Your Offshore Injury
Many offshore companies require injured workers to see a company physician. But once you’ve met that requirement, it’s in your best interest to follow up with a doctor of your own choosing. Here’s why:
1. Your Privacy Isn’t Protected
Don’t assume your medical condition is confidential with a company doctor. If your injury could lead to a legal claim or financial liability for the company, there’s a good chance that doctor will report details to your employer. An independent doctor is focused on your health, not your employer’s bottom line.
2. You Deserve the Best Treatment, Not the Cheapest
Employers are only obligated to pay for the treatment recommended by their chosen physician. This puts pressure on company doctors to keep costs low—even if that means cutting corners. Seeing your own doctor helps ensure you get proper, thorough medical care focused on your recovery.
3. Independent Doctors Offer a Fair View of “Maximum Cure”
Under maritime law, your employer must pay maintenance and cure until you reach “maximum medical improvement.” Company doctors often declare you have reached that point prematurely, especially when pressured by cost-conscious employers. A neutral doctor is more likely to give an honest assessment of your long-term needs.
What to Do After an Offshore Injury in Louisiana
If you’re injured offshore, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights:
- Report the injury right away – Notify your supervisor or senior official immediately. Get initial treatment if it’s available onboard.
- Fill out accident forms – Complete all necessary incident reports and submit them to your employer.
- Avoid returning to work too soon. – Even if you feel capable, going back too early may be used to downplay the seriousness of your injury.
- See the company doctor (if required) – Failing to do so may be used against you, but remember—it’s just the first step.
- Get a second opinion – Visit a physician who is unaffiliated with your company to get an unbiased medical evaluation.
- Talk to a maritime attorney – An experienced offshore injury lawyer can evaluate whether your employer was negligent and help you pursue compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
The Laws That Protect You
Depending on the details of your accident, different maritime laws may apply. If you qualify as a seaman, the Jones Act could provide a path to financial compensation if your injury was caused by employer negligence. Even if negligence isn’t involved, you may still be eligible for maintenance and cure benefits to help cover living expenses and medical bills during recovery.
In more serious or fatal accidents, laws like the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) may apply, providing compensation for surviving family members of offshore workers lost at sea.
Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm Today
You don’t have to face your employer or their insurance company alone. The Maritime Injury Law Firm has spent decades helping injured offshore workers in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast fight for the compensation they deserve. Contact us, so we can review your case and help you get the care and support you need.
Why You Should Get a Second Opinion after Your Offshore Injury
Many offshore companies will require you to see their physician after any kind of serious injury, but once you have done so, get checked out by a doctor that you trust.
There are many reasons why you should be evaluated by an independent physician, including:
- Maintaining privacy—The last thing you should expect is that the company doctor is keeping your medical condition confidential. In most cases where it is advantageous for the employer to know, the company physician will divulge your patient information. If you present a potential legal liability to the company because you were injured on the job, assume that the company doctor has already explained the situation to your employer.
- Full treatment—Your employer is only required to pay for treatments that the physician recommends, so there is inevitably pressure from the company to keep health care costs low. If your company doctor has a choice, they will almost always choose a cheaper option – even if it means a poorer outcome for you. That is why you should go to an independent physician that isn’t just concerned about the bill, but about your recovery.
- Long-term care—The law requires that your employer provide maintenance and cure until you are at “maximum cure.” The company doctor is the ultimate arbiter of what maximum cure is, and often that will be influenced by the company’s accountants. If you see an independent physician, you are more likely to get an unbiased opinion and receive all of the long term care you need to return to full health.
What To Do If You Are in an Offshore Accident in Louisiana
If you are injured in an offshore accident, here are some of the important steps you need to take:
- Report it to your senior official immediately. After getting any available treatment, fill out and submit the proper accident forms to your employer. Do not return to work even if you want to because that might indicate that your injuries are not serious.
- Once you are on shore again, you should initially get checked out by the company doctor. Once again, if you fail to do so, it can be interpreted that you were not severely injured.
- After seeing the company doctor, you should visit a physician that is not affiliated with your employer to get an objective evaluation.
- Most importantly, you should discuss your injuries with an experienced maritime attorney. A qualified lawyer can help you determine if your employer acted negligently which would serve as a legal basis to file an injury claim for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm Today
The Maritime Injury Law Firm has spent decades helping offshore workers in New Orleans, Louisiana, and throughout the Gulf Coast get the compensation they deserve following an accident. Contact attorney George Vourvoulias today for a free and confidential consultation.
