Florida Harbor Worker Injury Attorneys
Harbor Worker Injury
Florida has more longshore and harbor workers than most other states because of the busy port industry and cargo terminals.
If your job is based on the shore but your work is offshore you are a Longshoreman. Jobs may include loading and unloading a ship and repairing or building a vessel.
With fewer longshoremen on the job being asked to do more - a longshoreman's injuries can result from heavy lifting or repetitive motion; from falling equipment or entanglement in gear; from the chemicals used onboard; and from loud noises in small spaces that cause hearing loss.
Whether working upon navigable waters, piers, dry docks, a platform, rig, or in a terminal, the Longshore Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) protects the rights of longshore workers by providing medical benefits and a portion of the injured worker's wages to support his family. Vocational rehabilitation may be needed if an injury turns into a permanent disability and the employee can no longer perform the same job.
The Act provides benefits, no matter who is to blame for the accident that caused the injury. In the case of an employee's death, a survivor benefit is paid by the insurance company on behalf of the employee to his survivors.
However, the employee must prove that he was injured in a work-related accident and that it resulted in injury or a disability. Even if a pre-existing condition was aggravated, it will be covered as well.
A harbor worker can be classified as suffering from a Temporary Total Disability, Temporary Partial Disability, a Permanent Total Disability and a Permanent Partial Disability. At some time during his rehabilitation, the maximum medical improvement will be reached. That is when it will be determined whether or not the employee is permanently disabled.
A Jacksonville Florida Jones Act attorney can answer the question when the Jones Act compensation should be sought or Death on the High Seas Act. Sailors killed at sea, may seek compensation under the Jones Act. Survivors may also seek compensation for a death that occurs more than three miles off shore under the Death on the High Seas Act.
At Farah & Farah our maritime attorneys have a solid recovery record in longshore law. We have recovered millions for clients at no cost to them until the case is won.
It will be important for any Florida maritime attorney to determine if there is a third party that may have had some part in the injury. The LHWCA does not extend protection from lawsuits to third parties who can be required to compensate the injured worker.
If you or a loved one has been injured by someone else's negligence at sea, the Jacksonville harbor worker accident attorneys at Farah & Farah understand just how complex the law can be in the area of interpreting the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. Let us evaluate your case at no charge to you.
Please visit our Jacksonville Admiralty Website for more info.
Our personal promise: Accident victims have specific rights, but by law you have a limited time to take action. When you use our team at Farah & Farah, there are NO up-front charges.
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Our fee is a percentage of the money awarded payable only when your case is successfully concluded. No matter how many times you call and how long we talk, there is NO CHARGE or cost until your case settles. Do not sign any releases, agreements or give any statements until you have spoken with us about your legal rights. When it comes to getting you more, we won't settle for less!
We personally promise that you will be treated with the respect and dignity you deserve. We promise to keep you up to date and informed as to developments in your case. Your case is important to us, regardless of size.
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