At least 11 people were missing and seven injured after an explosion and fire at an oil drilling platform off the coast of Louisiana, the Coast Guard said Wednesday.

Most of the 126 people were believed to have escaped safely after the explosion at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Mike O’Berry said. It happened about 52 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana’s tip.

The rig was still burning Wednesday morning and was listing about 10 degrees, O’Berry said.

“It’s burning pretty good and there’s no estimate on when the fire will be put out,” O’Berry said.

O’Berry said there were conflicting reports coming in but at least 11 — and possibly as many as 15 — were missing.

“We’re hoping everyone’s in a life raft,” he said.

Seven workers were airlifted to a Naval air station near New Orleans, then taken to hospitals. He said two of the seven were taken to a trauma center in Mobile, Ala., where there is a burn unit.

O’Berry said many workers who escaped the rig were being brought to land on a workboat while authorities searched the Gulf of Mexico for any signs of lifeboats.

The rig, Deepwater Horizon, was drilling but was not in production, according to Greg Panegos, spokesman for its owner, Transocean Ltd., in Houston. The rig was under contract to BP.

The fishing boat accident near New Jersey added to the hundreds of deaths among fishermen across the country. In 1991, the Andrea Gaildisappeared on its journey home to Gloucester, taking the lives of six fishermen. In 2001, the Arctic Rose sank in the Bering Sea, claiming the lives of 15 fishermen.

Commercial fishermen are protected under the law and can pursue compensation when they suffer injuries. An injured fisherman has certain legal rights under the Jones Act and is entitled to seek damages when injuries are caused by negligence or an unseaworthy vessel.

A Jones Act lawsuit can result in compensation for pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, disfigurement, mental anguish and other costs associated with the injury. In some cases, negligence by a third party, such as a contractor, is to blame for the fishing boat accident, which can lead to a third party claim.

If you have been injured on a fishing boat, you should contact an experienced fishing boat accident lawyer. Contact our law firm as soon as possible, the initial consultation is free and confidential.

By Tuesday night, only one survivor had been found. Two of the three crew members were pulled from the icy water by a Coast Guard helicopter, but both later died.

More than 100 commercial fishermen have died at sea off the New Jersey coast, since reliable records started being kept in1931.

One of the worst accidents happened in 2001 when the Artic Rose sunk in the Bering Sea, which killed 15 people. The Aleutian Enterprise also sank in the same location in 1990, killing nine people.

All seven crew members in the recent accident off the New Jersey coast were wearing cold-water survival suits, according to the Coast Guard. However, a national search and rescue expert said that chances are not good for survival in 40-degree water.

The survivor, Jose Luis Ariese, told authorities that the members had lifesaving suits and abandoned ship, although he didn’t give a specific reason as to why they left the boat. Ariese had spent at least two hours in the icy water and was treated and released from the hospital.

• Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable.
• Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas.
• Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water.

Where is benzene found and how is it used?

• Benzene is formed from both natural processes and human activities.
• Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.
• Benzene is widely used in the United States. It ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume.
• Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals that are used to make plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides.

How is exposure to benzene possible?

• Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions.
• Indoor air generally contains levels of benzene higher than those in outdoor air. The benzene in indoor air comes from products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents.
• The air around hazardous waste sites or gas stations can contain higher levels of benzene than in other areas.
• Benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can contaminate well water.
• People working in industries that make or use benzene may be exposed to the highest levels.
• A major source of benzene exposure is tobacco smoke.

How is benzene harmful?

• Benzene can cause cells not to function correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Benzene can also damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells.
• The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the exposed person.

What are the immediate signs and symptoms of benzene exposure?

• People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours:
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Death (at very high levels)
• Eating foods or drinking beverages containing high levels of benzene can cause the following symptoms within minutes to several hours:
• Vomiting
• Irritation of the stomach
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Convulsions
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Death (at very high levels)
• If a person vomits because of swallowing foods or beverages containing benzene, the vomit could be sucked into the lungs and cause breathing problems and coughing.
• Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, or lungs to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation.
• Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to benzene.

What are the long-term health effects of benzene exposure?

• Long-term benzene exposure, such as a year or more, will effect the blood. Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.
• Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for many months had irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries. It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men.
• Animal studies have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals breathed benzene.
• The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs.

How is benzene poisoning treated?

• Benzene poisoning is treated with supportive medical care in a hospital setting.
• No specific antidote exists for benzene poisoning.
• The most important thing is for victims to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Below is a list of things to do after a Jones Act injury:

• Seek medical attention. Before you do anything else, you need to get medical treatment for your maritime injury. If your vessel has a medical doctor onboard, then you may want to see that professional. As an injured seaman, you do have the right to reasonable medical care and you can get medical treatment from someone not associated with your employer.
• Report the injury to your supervisor. You can request that an accident report be completed in writing, so that there is a record of the event. Most likely you will be asked to sign the report, but review it carefully before you sign to make sure everything is correct.
• Write the contact information of the witnesses. If there were people who witnessed your maritime accident, you are going to want their testimonies. Try to get their phone numbers, home addresses and email addresses.
• Take photographs. You should take pictures of your injuries and also the equipment or defective condition that caused the accident.
• Do not sign a waiver or release of liability document. If your employer asks you to sign something, read it carefully to make sure it does not release the employer from any liability or waive your rights. Some legal documents are hard to understand – if you don’t know what it says, don’t sign it.
• Do not give a recorded statement. An insurance adjuster may ask you questions and to avoid misrepresenting yourself, decline giving a recorded statement.
• Talk to an experienced Jones Act attorney. As an injured seaman, you have legal rights, but maritime law can be complex. That is why you need to talk with a maritime attorney who can review your case and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

The Willis Law Firm has been representing injured seaman for over 25 years.

A traumatic brain injury, also called a head injury or TBI, is caused by a sudden trauma which ultimately results in damage to the brain. These injuries can occur when the head is hit violently by an object or when something pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the main causes of traumatic brain injury is falls, which accounts for 28 percent of all cases. It is estimated that 1.4 million people are victims of traumatic brain injuries each year in the United States and among those individuals, 50,000 will die and 235,000 will be hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a traumatic brain injury.

A head injury can cause a wide range of problems affecting thinking, language, learning, emotions, behavior and sensation. It can also result in epilepsy and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders. Symptoms of a brain injury can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the damage to the brain. Someone who has a mild injury may have a headache, blurred vision, ringing in the ears and may or may not lose consciousness. A person with a moderate to severe brain injury may show the same signs, but may also experience the following:

• Headache that gets worse or won’t go away
• Vomiting or nausea
• Seizures
• An inability to awaken from sleep
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Increased confusion

Little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, but medical treatment should still be sought immediately after the injury occurrs. Doctors will work on stabilizing the patient to prevent further injuries. The medical personnel will focus on ensuring that proper oxygen is being supplied to the brain and the rest of the body, adequate blood flow is being maintained and blood pressure is controlled. Imaging tests will most likely be conducted to determine the extent of brain damage. Surgery is sometimes required for workers with traumatic brain injuries. Depending on the injury, the patient may have long-term disabilities.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a traumatic brain injury caused by working on a barge, tug, ship or other vessel, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a maritime attorney for advice regarding your case.

According to a recent study of occupational exposures to lead in shipfitters cutting and riveting lead-painted iron plates aboard an iron-hulled sailing vessel, many of the samples taken were above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s standard. Even more frightening was the fact that researchers found that workers who wore respirators had the same level of lead exposure as workers who wore no protective gear.

Lead can be found in the air, drinking water, food, soil and dust. One of the main sources of lead today is old lead-based paint. When lead-based paint is improperly removed by dry scraping, sanding or burning, it can cause harmful exposure. Older vessels that have lead-based paint can result in high concentrations of airborne lead particles. Workers may inhale lead dust and can increase the probability of lead ingestion if they eat, drink or smoke near contaminated areas.

Harmful Health Affects of Lead Exposure

Lead can affect all systems within the body, but symptoms do not surface until the level of lead in the body is very high. High levels of exposure can cause convulsions, coma and even death. Lead has also been known to cause:

• Poor muscle coordination
• Nerve damage
• Irreversible brain damage
• Renal disease
• Cardiovascular effects
• Reproductive toxicity
• Increased blood pressure

The earlier lead exposure is detected, the better the chances of avoiding permanent damage. Treatment of lead exposure usually includes medication that will remove the lead from the body. Unfortunately, not all of the damage caused by lead exposure can be reversed.

Who is liable for lead exposure?

Workers on ships, barges, rigs, tugs and other vessels are protected under the Jones Act. If the employer, vessel owner or other responsible party was aware of the lead exposure and did not take steps to rectify the situation or protect the crew, then they can be held liable. The Jones Act provides legal protection for seamen and can result in compensation for the injured worker.

The Willis Law Firm is experienced in representing Jones Act cases. If you have been exposed to lead when working on a vessel and have serious health problems as a result, contact our law firm immediately.

The Jones Act regulates the maritime industry and ensures that injured seamen receive adequate compensation for their injuries. As a cruise ship worker, you are also eligible to receive “maintenance” to cover your living expenses and “cure” to assist with your medical bills. You are entitled to this compensation no matter who was at fault. Maintenance is generally anywhere from $15 to $30 per day and is paid during the time it takes for you to recover. In addition, reasonable medical care must be given to you until you reach the maximum medical cure, meaning your injury cannot improve any further.

There are many events that can lead up to an accident or injury on a cruise ship. A poorly maintained ship, slippery surfaces or a falling object can result in serious injuries. Some of the other common causes of cruise ship injuries include:

• Falls
• Assault
• Sexual assault
• Food poisoning
• Exposure to harmful chemicals

Additional compensation may be available if negligence on behalf of the employer, vessel owner or crew member caused the injury. An unseaworthy vessel can also constitute a Jones Act lawsuit. Under the Jones Act, an injured worker may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, both past and present, medical expenses, pain and suffering, disfigurement and mental anguish. The amount of money you can be awarded for a Jones Act lawsuit is substantial.

As an injured cruise ship worker, you may be unsure of your legal rights. Occasionally, employees are misled about what they are entitled to and their rights. It is not uncommon for an employee to be encouraged to file a workers’ compensation claim, which could hurt their ability to pursue a Jones Act lawsuit. If you are unsure of your legal rights following a cruise ship injury, contact the Willis Law Firm. We are experienced maritime attorneys who will review your case, free of charge.

Do not wait to pursue legal advice. There are deadlines as to when you can file a Jones Act claim.

If you were a passenger on a cruise ship and were injured, you are protected under general maritime law. Contact our law firm for a free case review to discuss your legal options.

There are many causes of back injuries. According to Mayo Clinic, there are four work-related factors that are associated with the risk of back pain and injury, which include force, repetition, posture and stress. Maritime workers can seriously injure their backs by:

• Lifting heavy objects
• Repetitious tasks
• Moving machinery or equipment
• Falling on a slippery surface
• An auto accident while on duty
• An unsafe transfer in rough seas
• Assault by a crewmember
• A direct blow to the spine
• Stab wounds or gunshot wounds

Back Injury Symptoms that Require Emergency Attention

Some back injuries require emergency medical treatment. It is important to know what signs to watch for following an injury to the back. Below are some symptoms that require immediate medical care:

• Pain in the upper back with chest pain that is squeezing, crushing or feels like a weight is on the chest
• Back pain that follows a major accident
• Weakness in the legs
• Numbness in the buttocks, genital area or legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

These symptoms indicate that a more serious medical condition exists. Prompt medical attention is vital in treating these types of injuries.

Types of Back Injuries

Back injuries are classified into two different categories – acute and overuse. The pain resulting from an acute back injury is usually sudden and severe. Overuse back injuries have symptoms that gradually surface over time. A >back injury may include:

• Back sprain or strain caused by injured ligaments or muscles
• Spine fracture or dislocation
• Torn or ruptured disk
• Nerve compression in the lower back, known as cauda equine syndrome

Jones Act Lawsuits

A seaman is protected under the Jones Act and is legally entitled to compensation for injuries that occurred on the job. This compensation is known as maintenance and cure. If the injury was caused by negligence of others or if it was the result of an unseaworthy vessel, additional compensation may be pursued. A significant settlement can be awarded for a successful Jones Act case. Contact a maritime lawyer to discuss your legal options if you have injured your back while working on a vessel.

Investigators and attorneys will be contacted after a maritime accident.

The maritime industry is notorious for trying to blame someone else for an accident involving a worker. Vessel owners, employers and third parties do not want the liability of a Jones Act lawsuit. Investigators and lawyers will be employed to build a case in their defense. In order to prove that the company is not responsible for your injuries, the following activities will take place:

• The accident scene will be documented
• Evidence will be secured
• Witnesses will be interviewed
• Recorded statements will be obtained
• Affidavits will be taken

When a barge injury or tugboat injury is serious, the company will act even faster. Lawyers are commonly used to conduct the investigation so that the defendant can say the evidence is privileged and confidential. Defense attorneys will claim privilege when the evidence shows that the company was at fault for the accident.

An investigator may contact you after an injury to hear your recollection of the event. Many times the investigator will record the conversation and your statement could end up being used against you.

Your employer may send you to an approved doctor.

Some of the big maritime employers have their own approved doctors and they may tell you that you have to be treated by one of these medical providers. The employer will often communicate with the approved doctor to learn details of your medical condition. The physician may even discuss his plans to get payment approval with your employer. As an injured maritime worker, you have the right to choose your own doctor and you also have the right to a second opinion. You are also not required to sign a blank medical release to allow open discussions with your doctor.

The company may try to settle with you.

Occasionally, your employer or other responsible party may contact you to inform you that they want to negotiate a settlement. You may be asked during the meeting how much you are willing to accept to settle your injury claim. Even if you give a reasonable figure in which you would be willing to settle, you may be told that the amount is too high. Often injured workers end up accepting an amount equal to only 10 to 25 percent of what their case is really worth. That is why you need to have an experienced maritime lawyer on your side looking out for your best interests.

You should consider hiring a maritime attorney after your accident.

The laws that govern the maritime industry are complex, but a maritime attorney can make sure that your legal rights are protected. The Willis Law Firm has represented hundreds of injured maritime workers and their families. Contact a maritime attorney today and learn more about your legal options.