Maritime Accident Claims: What Injured Offshore Workers Need To Know

Maritime and offshore jobs are among the most dangerous occupations in the country. Workers aboard vessels, offshore platforms, barges, and drilling operations face serious risks every day—from explosions and equipment failures to falls, crane accidents, and vessel collisions.

When a maritime accident occurs, the injuries are often catastrophic.

Unlike ordinary workplace injury claims, maritime accident cases involve specialized federal laws that can provide important legal protections and compensation for injured workers and their families.

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, we represent injured seamen, offshore workers, and families nationwide in complex maritime litigation. Below is what maritime workers should understand after a serious offshore injury.

Maritime Injury Cases Are Different From Ordinary Workplace Claims

Maritime law operates under a unique body of federal law known as admiralty law.

Depending on the circumstances, injured maritime workers may have rights under:

• The Jones Act
• General maritime law
• Maintenance and cure obligations
• The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
• Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

These laws can provide remedies that are very different from traditional workers’ compensation claims.

The Jones Act Protects Injured Seamen

The Jones Act allows qualifying seamen to pursue claims against their employers for negligence. Generally, a worker may qualify as a seaman if they spend a significant portion of their work aboard a vessel in navigation.

Under the Jones Act, injured maritime workers may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and impairment

Unlike standard workers’ compensation systems, Jones Act claims may allow injured workers to recover broader damages when employer negligence contributed to the accident.

Unseaworthiness Claims May Also Apply

Vessel owners have a legal duty to provide a seaworthy vessel.

This means the vessel, crew, and equipment must be reasonably safe for their intended use.

If unsafe conditions, defective equipment, inadequate staffing, or dangerous operations contribute to an injury, the vessel owner may be held liable under general maritime law. (wvmlaw.com)

Common causes of maritime accidents include:

• Crane and rigging failures
• Slip and fall accidents
• Explosions and fires
• Equipment malfunctions
• Unsafe deck conditions
• Improper maintenance
• Cargo handling incidents
• Vessel collisions

Maintenance and Cure Benefits

Maritime employers also owe many injured seamen “maintenance and cure” benefits.

Maintenance generally covers basic living expenses while the worker recovers, while cure refers to medical treatment costs.

These obligations may apply regardless of who caused the accident.

In some cases, employers who improperly refuse maintenance and cure payments can face additional financial penalties.

Early Investigation Is Critical

After a serious maritime accident, evidence can disappear quickly.

Critical evidence may include:

• Vessel logs
• Safety inspection reports
• Maintenance records
• Witness statements
• Incident reports
• Equipment data
• Photographs and video

Offshore companies and insurers often begin investigating immediately after an accident occurs.

That is why injured workers should avoid giving recorded statements or signing documents before speaking with an experienced maritime attorney.

Catastrophic Maritime Injuries Can Change Lives Forever

Many offshore accidents result in life-altering injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Crush injuries
• Wrongful death

These injuries frequently require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, we prepare every maritime injury case as though it will go to trial. Our firm handles complex, high-stakes litigation involving offshore accidents, vessel incidents, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims nationwide.

Put more than 120 years of combined trial experience in your corner. Call Webster Vicknair MacLeod today at (713) 581-3900 for a free consultation.