Personal injury settlements relating to maritime law and the Jones Act can result in substantial amounts. In the past, the monetary value of settlements reached between the plaintiff and defendant have been in the millions of dollars.
In one case, involving an injured seaman in the service of the S.S. Cape Jacob, a $2 million settlement was reached shortly before the case was to go to court. In this case, the worker was injured while securing mooring lines, yet the captain ordered a tugboat pulling the ship to move away before they were secure.
In another case, which occurred in Seattle, workers injured while performing cleaning task settled the case for over $1.1 million. In this case, the company operating the ferry had inadvertently mixed bleach with another cleaning product, resulting in a chemical reaction causing injury to the workers.
However, there is some key information you need to know and understand in regards to how settlements are calculated. To help determine the potential settlement amount you could receive, your maritime personal injury lawyer will examine and review several pieces of information, including:
- The costs of medical treatments and services. Keep in mind, payments already made under Maintenance and Cure relief cannot be included as part of your settlement calculation.
- Anticipated future medical treatments and services costs.
- Past, present and future lost wages. Any wages not paid under Maintenance and Cure, along with future earnings, can be used as part of the settlement amount.
- The cost of benefits you have lost. In cases where you have lost retirement benefits, health insurance, and other such forms of compensation, these can be included as part of your settlement.
- Pain and suffering you are experiencing and may continue to experience. The value for pain and suffering can be difficult to determine, but lawyers often rely upon medical expert testimony to help establish a fair and reasonable amount.
If you have been injured while in service of a vessel, it is your right to consult with a qualified maritime injury lawyer from Maintenance and Cure. Contact our law office at 1-800-836-5830 for a consultation today!
