Savannah Maritime Lawyers

Savannah, GA has been a major port city for centuries. It sits near the 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway that runs along the coasts of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. While there are certainly opportunities here for maritime workers, this has always been a dangerous way to make a living. Worksites are filled with potential hazards, from slippery walking surfaces to toxic chemicals. As a result, serious maritime and offshore accidents are, sadly, far from rare.

However, the law does provide injured maritime employees the right to obtain compensation from an employer that failed to maintain a safe work environment. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., our nationally based maritime personal injury lawyers have years of experience with Jones Act claims and related cases. We’ll help you obtain the maximum payout to which you are entitled under maritime law.

Maritime Injuries Take Many Forms

There are numerous dangers in maritime environments, so it should be no surprise that the kinds of injuries suffered by workers are equally numerous. Our Jones Act lawyers have handled a wide variety of injury cases over the years. Commonly seen injuries and medical conditions linked to maritime employment include but are not limited to the following:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Amputation (e.g., fingers, arms)
• Compartment Syndrome
• Hypothermia and frostbite
• Pleural disorders
• Skin burns
• Brain damage
• Tug, Barge and Dredge Injuries

The good news is that injured seamen are eligible for financial compensation. The key to success, however, is having a maritime lawyer in your corner who thoroughly understands the applicable laws. You can find experienced legal assistance at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., one of the leading maritime law firms in the U.S. Our Jones Act attorneys represent clients in Savannah, GA and the rest of the country.

What Is Maintenance and Cure?

The most basic form of maritime financial compensation, and the easiest to get, is known as maintenance and cure. You can qualify for it regardless of whether you are responsible for your job-related injury or illness. It is actually two separate types of compensation: maintenance is intended to provide basic living expenses while the injured person recovers, while cure is compensation for medical expenses. Maintenance and cure is paid out on a weekly or biweekly basis.

It sometimes happens that the amount of money offered to injured seamen is not adequate to cover their necessary expenses. In that case, you should contact a maritime injury lawyer. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., our nationwide longshoremen attorneys represent clients in the Savannah, GA area.

Other Types of Maritime Compensation

You have additional opportunities for financial compensation if the accident in question was caused by another party’s negligence. There are a number of laws on the books covering these kinds of personal injury cases, and it’s not always clear which law applies to a given situation. That’s where it’s useful to have an experienced maritime lawyer on your side.

Our team of maritime accident lawyers has over 145 years’ collective trial experience, covering many types of cases.