Were you recently injured in a maritime accident near Fort Walton Beach, Florida? Are you confused about your legal rights for seeking compensation for your injuries?
If so, a Fort Walton Beach maritime accident lawyer from Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can explain your legal rights during a free and confidential consultation. Contact us today at (850) 863-5297 to learn more.
How Can Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Maritime Accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Maritime cases are complex as they involve a unique intersection between personal injury law and workers’ compensation benefits. Securing the maximum compensation to which you are entitled may depend on hiring a lawyer who is familiar with the relevant laws and claims procedures.
When you hire a Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer from Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we can review the circumstances surrounding your injury, explain your legal rights, and pursue financial compensation for your damages.
Here are some of the reasons to consider hiring us:
- Our law firm has served the Fort Walton Beach area for decades.
- Our dedicated attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience, so you can trust that they have handled cases like yours and know how to get results.
- We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
- Our law firm includes an AV-Preeminent-rated attorney.
- Our co-founding partner, WM Dennis Brannon, is a certified circuit civil mediator and former insurance defense attorney, so he offers a holistic perspective on legal claims.
Contact us today for your free consultation.
What Are Maritime Accidents?
Maritime accidents refer to accidents that happen at sea. These accidents may result in serious injury or death. These accidents involve the operation of a marine vessel, such as a ship or boat.
Which Laws Govern Maritime Accidents?
Maritime or admiralty law governs various activities on the open waters, including shipping, boating, fishing, and offshore drilling. This area of law is often governed by international treaties and conventions.
One law that is involved in many maritime accident cases is the Jones Act, which is a federal law that establishes rules for maritime commerce in the United States. Under this law, certain individuals in the maritime industry have the right to a safe working environment. They can pursue compensation if they are injured while working on a vessel due to their employer’s negligence.
Another critical law is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides for medical care and compensation to employees who are injured or contract occupational diseases while working on navigable waters or in adjoining areas. The rule pertains to longshore workers, harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, and others.
What Damages Can I Recover from a Maritime Accident Claim?
By filing a maritime accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:
- Maintenance and cure benefits: Injured maritime workers may be able to recover maintenance and cure benefits that pay for medical costs and other expenses that they incur due to extended absences from work.
- Economic damages: You may also be entitled to other economic damages that have a specific monetary value, such as future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages do not have a direct monetary value, but they represent losses accident victims often experience, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are rarely awarded and only apply in trials where the defendant’s conduct is shown to be intentional or egregious.
An experienced Fort Walton Beach maritime accident attorney can review your case and determine the damages you are eligible to seek.
What Is My Maritime Accident Case Worth?
Every maritime case is different.
Factors that could affect your case could include:
- Your injuries and their severity
- Medical expenses you incurred and will likely incur in the future
- How your injuries affect your daily life and ability to work
- Whether you suffered a permanent disability or impairment
- Who is responsible for your injuries
Let our legal team evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation available.
Common Causes of Maritime Accidents
Some of the most common causes of maritime injuries that may provide the legal basis for making a legal claim include the following:
- Falls
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Machinery accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Defective equipment
It’s important that you report your accident promptly to your employer. Then, contact an experienced maritime accident lawyer who can investigate your claim and determine who is responsible.
Call Us if You’ve Been Injured in a Maritime Accident
If you were injured in an offshore accident, a Fort Walton Beach maritime accident lawyer from Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We have the experience and skill necessary to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call today for a free case evaluation.
