Can I Be Fired For Filing A Maritime Injury Claim? Understanding Your Rights
If you are injured while working at sea or on a ship, you may be entitled to file a claim for personal injury damages if your employer or the ship owner’s negligence contributed to your injury. However, pursuing such a claim has its own complexities. This article will explore the key considerations, including:
- How to protect your employment when filing a maritime injury claim.
- The advantages of working with a lawyer when filing a maritime injury claim in Louisiana.
- What our firm can do to help you through this stressful time
What Are My Legal Rights After Filing A Maritime Injury Claim?
When you file a maritime injury claim, it’s natural to worry about retaliation, especially in an industry known for high-paying jobs and at-will employment. Unfortunately, there are limited legal protections against retaliation in this field. Maritime employers and vessel owners can take advantage of at-will employment laws, which allow them to terminate workers without specific cause.
Despite these concerns, you do have certain rights, and it’s critical to understand them:
- Right To Confidential Legal Advice: You can consult a maritime injury attorney confidentially without your employer knowing. This allows you to explore your options and understand your rights without fear of immediate retaliation. Having legal guidance early on can help you avoid missteps that could affect your claim.
- Right To Choose Your Own Doctor: You are not required to use a doctor selected by your employer or their insurance company. Your employer’s goal may be to get you back to work quickly, even if you’re not fully recovered, so it’s important to choose a doctor who has your best interests at heart. Avoid signing any forms that limit your right to choose your own medical provider.
- Right To Fair Treatment: Even though retaliation protections are limited, your employer is still obligated to follow legal procedures. If they try to undermine your recovery or pressure you to return to work prematurely, these actions could violate your rights.
While it’s possible that your employer and their insurer will handle your claim fairly, it’s important to protect yourself from the start. Consulting with an attorney can ensure you understand what to do and what not to do, and it keeps you informed of what your employer can and cannot legally require of you.
In short, while the maritime industry can be challenging when it comes to protecting injured workers, understanding your rights and seeking legal advice early on can help you navigate the process and secure the compensation you deserve.
How Can A Maritime Injury Claims Lawyer In Louisiana Help?
Life is stressful enough without the added burden of dealing with an injury, especially in a place like Southeast Louisiana, where challenges like hurricanes and everyday dangers are a constant worry. When you’re injured, the last thing you need is the hassle of battling insurance companies. Unfortunately, they don’t make it easy, and the process can be overwhelming.
That’s why our approach is to take the stress off our clients. As soon as they sign up with us, we handle everything we can on their behalf. This includes:
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Managing medical bills and liens
- Ensuring all paperwork is in order
We want our clients to focus on their recovery, so we ask them only to keep up with their medical care and stay in touch with us. We take care of the rest.
Another thing that sets us apart is that we always prioritize our clients’ financial well-being. We never take more in fees than our clients receive from their settlement. If medical bills or other expenses reduce the amount a client would receive, we reduce our fees accordingly. Our clients are the ones who are hurt and need the money—making sure they come out ahead is important to us.
On the maritime and Jones Act side, we understand how crucial those offshore jobs are for the people who rely on them to support their families. We’re very careful not to do anything that could jeopardize a client’s ability to return to work, and we always respect their need to heal properly before they do. We’ll make sure they see a doctor they trust and help them recover without rushing the process.
It’s not just about winning cases—it’s about making sure our clients get through this difficult time with peace of mind, knowing they are in good hands.
Worried About Keeping Your Job After A Maritime Injury?
For more information on Maritime Injury Claims In New Orleans, LA, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling 1 504 230 5222 today.
