A closed head injury, also known as a concussion, can be serious. Longshoremen, harbor workers, seamen and other maritime workers are especially prone to closed head injuries as their jobs are strenuous and they often work in dangerous conditions.

Falls that occur offshore and defective machinery are often to blame for closed head injuries, which refer to any injuries to the scalp, skull or brain. Assaults by crew members can also result in a closed head injury, as a blow to the head can cause serious damage.

Someone who has an accident offshore may experience symptoms that would indicate a serious head injury. Some of these symptoms include loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, seizures, vomiting, pupil changes, drowsiness, extreme headache and fluid drainage from the nose, mouth or ears.

A closed head injury sustained while working offshore can lead to bleeding inside the skull or irreversible brain damage. The brain can become bruised in a fall or assault aboard a vessel, even if the skull is not penetrated.

Several tests will be conducted to determine the best possible treatment for the head injury. If there is bleeding in the skull, the doctor will need to find the location of the bleeding, assess the symptoms and other injuries, before recommending treatment options. Pressure monitors, medication to prevent seizures and antibiotics to prevent infections are commonly used for a closed head injury. In some cases, surgery is necessary.

If you or a family member has suffered a head injury from working offshore, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our law firm for a free legal consultation. Maritime lawyers can help answer questions you may have and discuss your legal options.

Offshore oil drilling is an essential part of the economy in the United States. These platforms and rigs are located offshore, frequently in the Gulf of Mexico and other locations. Since it would take too long to travel to these destinations via boat, helicopters are commonly used.

Helicopters are the main mode of transportation for oil rig workers and are often utilized for delivery of emergency equipment or parts. Helicopters are also used to take injured maritime workers to hospitals and other medical facilities for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, helicopters have been known to crash and cause serious injuries and death. If you have been injured in an offshore helicopter accident, you do have legal rights.

Helicopters are complex and many things can go wrong, leading to a tragic accident. Some of the factors that have been linked to maritime helicopter crashes include:

• Negligence by the helicopter owner
• Inadequate ground mechanics
• Poor weather conditions
• Excessive loads
• Poor maintenance
• Excessive hours on the engine or other parts
• Negligent operation
• Manufacturing defect

Manufacturers are often to blame for offshore helicopter crashes when there was a design flaw, manufacturing defect, breach of warranty or failure to warn of a known danger. Depending on the cause of the accident, multiple defendants may be held liable.

When it comes to injuries caused by an offshore helicopter crash, General Maritime Law, the Jones Act and other laws come in to play. If you have been injured in an offshore helicopter crash or have lost a loved one in such an incident, you need to contact an experienced Houston maritime attorney who can explain your legal rights. There are deadlines as to when you can file your claim, so it is important to get started right away. Contact our law firm today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The legal consultation is free and confidential.

As an oil rig worker, you have legal rights that could entitle you to compensation if you have sustained an offshore injury. You may be contacted by the insurance company following an oil rig accident, but what you probably will not be told is that you may be able to file a lawsuit and obtain a substantial amount of compensation, if negligence was involved.

There are federal laws that protect offshore oil rig workers, including the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. These laws are meant to protect you and allow you to hold the vessel owner or third party accountable for their negligent actions. You may be entitled to compensation if there was negligence by your employer, co-workers, operators or officers, which caused you to sustain offshore injuries.

As an injured maritime worker, you are able to sue your employer or other responsible party directly. Jones Act lawsuits are different than workers’ compensation claims in that they are not limited to “no fault” arrangements and other non-negotiable terms.

Compensation from a Jones Act case can be substantial and often includes lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and disfigurement. To be eligible for Jones Act compensation, you must be considered a seaman under the law. Generally, people who work on offshore oil rigs are considered seamen.

Don’t let your employer or their insurance company bully you into signing documents or accepting a settlement until you talk with an experienced maritime attorney. If you agree upon a settlement before talking with a maritime injury lawyer, you could be forfeiting money that you deserve. Too often employers and insurance companies offer settlements far below what the injury cases are worth.

A pelvic fracture is a serious injury that is often caused by a maritime accident. The pelvis, which is a bone structure at the end of the trunk, cradles many organs. That is why a fractured pelvis can lead to significant internal bleeding, organ damage, nerve injury and death. If you or someone you love has suffered a pelvic fracture from an offshore accident, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or General Maritime Law.

One of the most common causes of pelvic fractures is falls. A fall from a substantial height is considered to be a high-energy force and may lead to a life-threatening broken pelvis. As most seamen know, the possibility of a fall accident on a vessel is a major hazard of working on the sea. Slippery decks, broken stairs, worn out ladders and other dangers can result in a traumatic fall accident aboard a vessel.

Typically, a broken pelvis becomes swollen and bruised and is incredibly painful. Also, these types of fractures can cause excessive bleeding, leading to shock. Someone who has suffered a broken pelvis must seek emergency medical attention, so that the injury does not prove to be fatal.

Certain diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and CT scans, are used to determine if a patient has a fractured pelvis. In some cases, surgery is required after the pelvis is stabilized. Doctors often use an external fixator to stabilize the pelvic area, which is a device with long screws that are placed in the bones on each side and then connected to a frame outside of the body. This device allows doctors to focus on any internal injuries to blood vessels, nerves and organs.

If you have sustained a pelvic fracture or some other type of maritime injury, you should contact an experienced maritime injury lawyer today. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

Working aboard a vessel on the high seas comes with many dangers. Everyday, seamen are exposed to hazards from heavy equipment, tackle, defective machinery, slippery decks, unpredictable waters and severe weather conditions. There are many types of maritime injuries that can occur offshore, including serious eye injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered an eye injury as the result of a maritime accident, you need to be aware of your legal rights and should contact an experienced Jones Act lawyer.

Eye injuries are especially devastating, as they can lead to permanent blindness. This type of injury can be life changing and may affect your livelihood if you are not able to return to work due to your condition.

An eye injury sustained on a vessel can occur in two different ways. Physical eye injuries happen when an object enters the eye, such as glass or metal pieces. Chemical eye injuries occur when you are exposed to chemical fumes or if a chemical enters your eye. A chemical injury can result from working near these compounds without the proper safety goggles or from chemical cargo that was not properly contained.

Depending on the circumstances of your maritime injury, you may be able to hold the vessel owner responsible. If you are considered to be a seaman, you may be eligible to file a Jones Act claim, if negligence caused your maritime accident. A successful Jones Act case could entitle you to a substantial amount of financial compensation, which could include damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, past and future medical expenses, past and future lost income and disfigurement.

Contact a Jones Act attorney today. There is a deadline as to when you can file your claim, so you do not want to delay in pursuing legal advice.

It is not uncommon for vessels to collide, whether in a river, lake or ocean. Vessel collisions can lead to serious injuries and sometimes death.

Within a few weeks span of time, two separate accidents involving vessel collisions occurred. One incident took place in the Mississippi Sound, approximately 2 ½ nautical miles southwest of Bayou Caddy. The incident involved a towing vessel, known as Velma C., and a sailing vessel, known as Sound Advice. At the time of the accident, the towing vessel was pushing three empty barges. Even though the vessel collision could have resulted in severe injuries, luckily no one was hurt.

Another vessel collision occurred in Tampa Bay when a fishing trawler and barge collided, which resulted in a fuel spill of approximately 1,000 gallons into the water. The 80-foot-long fishing boat, the Maranatha, and a 95-foot-long barge, the Coastal, hit each other just two miles northwest of Manbirtee Key near the Skyway. The vessel collision caused a 4 by 8 inch gash in the Maranatha’s fuel tank.

When vessels collide, it can result in objects shifting and in some situations, falling debris. Vessel collisions can cause an immense impact, which can lead to injuries among those onboard both vessels. Vessel collision injuries often include:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injury
• Head trauma
• Brain injury
• Rib fractures
• Severe lacerations
• Death

If you have been injured in a vessel collision, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. There are various laws that protect vessel workers, including the Jones Act. The Jones Act protects the rights of injured seamen. When a vessel accident is caused by negligence or unseaworthiness, you have the right to recover damages for your injuries, which may include the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages, both past and present
• Medical expenses, both past and present
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish

Sometimes injuries are permanent and can affect you for the rest of your life. As an injured seaman, you can obtain compensation that will help you during your recovery and for years to come. Maritime law is complex and there are deadlines as to when you can file a claim for vessel injuries. Contact our law firm today if you have been injured in a vessel collision. Our maritime lawyers are experienced in handling these types of cases. The initial legal consultation is free and confidential.

A head injury is defined as trauma that leads to a scalp, skull or brain injury. It is also commonly referred to as brain injury, contusion or head trauma. These types of injuries range in severity from a minor bump on the skull to serious brain damage. Seamen are especially susceptible to this type of maritime injury.

There are two classifications of head injury – closed and open. An open head injury, also known as a penetrating head injury, occurs when someone is hit by an object that breaks the skull and enters the brain. A penetrating head injury often occurs when a person is moving at high speed, such as in a car accident, or from a gunshot. Closed head injuries happen when there is a hard blow to the head from an object, but the skull is not broken. However, a closed head injury can still result in serious complications.

Some of the types of brain injury include concussion, traumatic brain injury and contusion, which is a bruise on the brain.

It has been estimated that millions of people suffer head injuries every year. The majority of these head injuries are not serious, because the skull provides the necessary protection for the brain. Yet, more than 500,000 head injuries are severe enough to require hospitalization.

Car accidents, falls, assaults and work-related accidents are all common causes of head injury. A head injury can also be caused by a maritime accident. In some instances, the head injury will lead to irreversible brain damage, which results from bleeding inside the brain or brain damage. A serious head injury can cause coma, chronic headaches, paralysis, seizures, loss of sensation and speech difficulties.

Understanding some of the signs of a head injury and giving first aid can help save that person’s life. Medical attention should be sought immediately if a maritime worker becomes unusually drowsy, behaves differently, experiences a severe headache or stiff neck, becomes unconscious or starts vomiting.

The daily tasks of a seaman or maritime worker can be strenuous and often dangerous. Rough seas, defective equipment and machinery, slippery surfaces and old, worn-down vessels all contribute to the perils a seaman faces when working offshore. Maritime workers frequently find themselves victims of serious injuries – injuries that impact their lives. Head injuries are especially common on vessels and it is important to understand that injured seamen have rights. If you have suffered a head injury while working offshore, you need to be aware of the symptoms, treatment and compensation available for this type of injury.

There are various types of head injury, which is defined as any trauma that results in injury to the scalp, skull or brain. Maritime workers are especially prone to closed head injuries, also known as concussions, caused by a hard blow to the head from hitting an object. A fall accident or assault onboard a vessel can lead to a closed head injury.

Depending on the severity of the head injury, it can cause irreversible brain damage. Even if the skull is not penetrated or fractured, the brain can still become bruised. When the head is struck by an object it can result in bleeding inside the brain or may damage the brain directly. Serious head injuries may lead to any of the following:

• Personality changes
• Speech and language difficulties
• Loss of sensation, hearing, vision, taste or smell
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma

The symptoms of a closed head injury can surface immediately, but can also develop slowing, sometimes taking several hours to surface. Some of the signs of a serious head injury include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Drop in blood pressure
• Convulsions
• Fluid drainage from the nose, mouth or ears
• Severe headache
• Lack of coordination
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Pupil changes
• Inability to see, hear, taste or smell
• Drowsiness

When there is bleeding inside the skull from a closed head injury, the doctor will need to find the location of the bleeding, severity of symptoms, other injuries and the progression of the symptoms, in order to determine the appropriate treatment. Surgery is often needed in closed head injury cases. Other treatment options include pressure monitors, medication to prevent seizures and antibiotics to prevent infection.

There are laws that protect injured seamen, harbor workers and longshoremen. If you have sustained a closed head injury and believe your employer or vessel owner was negligent, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. Compensation may include damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, disfigurement and mental anguish. Contact a maritime attorney at our law firm today for a free legal consultation.

Fishing for a living is the single most dangerous occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). History has shown that fishermen have a 20 to 30 times greater risk of suffering a fatal job injury than all of the other occupations. Every year, there are 50 to 100 fishing fatalities on average.

Why is commercial fishing so dangerous?

Fishermen face certain perils that are unique to the occupation. Fishing vessels usually travel great distances, far out on the sea. These vessels sometimes encounter “rogue waves,” which are over 100 feet high. Rogue waves are often leftover waves from previous storms or a collection of ordinary waves and can hit even in relatively calm seas. A rogue wave is powerful and can easily destroy a commercial fishing vessel.

There are other hazards associated with commercial fishing. Electrocutions, homicides, being caught in winches or other machinery and aircraft crashes are all among the numerous causes of fishing fatalities. A maritime accident can occur when a fishing vessel hits a submerged rock or collides with another vessel in the fog. In fact, vessel casualties are one of the leading causes of fishing deaths.

Falling overboard is also a danger faced by commercial fishermen. A small wave can be strong enough to wash a worker overboard. Fishermen have also been known to go overboard after tripping on a tightened line or falling from a slippery deck.

Commercial divers account for a significant number of fishing fatalities each year, as they encounter challenges while working offshore. Crewmembers who have little training or experience are sometimes required o dive below water to untangle nets or lines, which places them in danger. Other hazards, such as adverse sea and weather conditions, murky water, unexpected shifts in underwater currents, air lines that have become entangled, malfunctioning scuba equipment and decompression problems can all lead to fatal diving injuries.

If you have been injured in a maritime accident, contact an experienced maritime lawyer today to learn more about your legal options.

Hundreds of crew members have died in fishing boat accidents across the country. In 1990, the Aleutian Enterprise sank in the Bering Sea, which took the lives of nine individuals. Eleven years later the Arctic Rose sank in the same area, claiming 15 lives. Most recently, a fishing vessel sank off the New Jersey coast taking the lives of six crew members and leaving only one survivor to provide the details of the frightening fishing accident.

Commercial fishermen have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Injuries on fishing boats usually fall under the Jones Act. When a crew member is injured on a fishing boat, he or she is entitled to compensation, known as maintenance and cure. This compensation is provided while the injured fisherman recovers from the injuries incurred while working on the vessel. The Jones Act also allows workers to collect damages for injuries caused by negligence or an unseaworthy vessel.

A Jones Act lawsuit that claims negligence or unseaworthiness can result in compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish and damages associated with the injury. The amount of damages available in a Jones Act case depends on the details of the accident and should be discussed with a fishing boat injury attorney.

Fishing boat injuries can vary and may include burns, head injury, spinal cord injury and neck injury. There are many causes of fishing boat injuries, including slippery decks, bad weather and defective equipment. Mistakes are often to blame for fishing boat accidents, which can lead to serious injuries, even death. Sometimes fishing boat injury cases involve the negligence of a third party, such as a contractor or someone who works for a different employer. A third party claim can be made in addition to a Jones Act claim.

Fishing boat accident cases can be complex and require the expertise of a Jones Act attorney. Contact our law firm today if you have been injured on a fishing boat. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The legal consultation is free and confidential.

Be aware that there are deadlines to file injury claims and if you wait too long, you could miss your opportunity. Therefore, don’t delay in pursing legal advice regarding your fishing boat injury.