Cleveland Maritime Lawyers

Offshore and maritime personnel certainly don’t have an easy time when it comes to performing their duties. They frequently have to work under tough conditions, due to harsh weather, toxic chemicals, malfunctioning equipment, and human error. Serious offshore accidents can and do happen. This holds true for seamen in Cleveland, OH just as it does for workers at other maritime centers around the U.S. “The Forest City,” which sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie, is home to a large number of maritime personnel, many of them employed at the Port of Cleveland.

What can local workers do if they become hurt on the job? First, they need to be aware that the law does allow them to seek compensation from an employer. They also should seek out a qualified maritime lawyer with experience in managing Jones Act claims and related personal injury cases. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., our nationally based maritime accident lawyers have years of experience in helping clients secure just compensation. We represent clients from all over the country, including Cleveland, OH.

The Many Hazards of Maritime Employment

On maritime worksites, there are quite a few ways to get seriously hurt. Some of the dangers come from Mother Nature—harsh weather conditions cause many injuries. Other threats come from heavy equipment, slippery walking surfaces, improperly maintained elevated platforms, and falling objects—and this is hardly a complete list.

Common injuries and medical conditions our Jones Act lawyers have seen include the following:

• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Skin burns
• Amputation of limbs
• Hypothermia and frostbite
• Compartment Syndrome
• Pleural (lung) disorders
• Brain damage

No matter how you were injured, it is important to seek help from a maritime personal injury lawyer ASAP. You may be eligible for substantial compensation.

What Is Maintenance and Cure?

Maintenance and cure is a basic type of compensation that is paid to injured seamen even if they are at fault for their condition. Paid out on a weekly or biweekly schedule, it consists of two elements:

• Maintenance – Compensation for living expenses accumulated during the period of recovery.
• Cure – Compensation for medical expenses and bills accumulated during the period of recovery.

Although maintenance and cure is intended to be paid out automatically, some seamen don’t receive the full amount they’re entitled to get. When that happens, please contact the Jones Act attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. As one of the leading maritime law firms in the U.S., we have a presence in Cleveland, OH as well as other major port cities across the country.

Other Types of Financial Compensation

Seamen who become seriously injured due to the actions of another party can qualify for additional compensation. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., our longshoremen attorneys are well versed in all areas of personal injury law that apply to the maritime industry.