Norfolk Maritime Lawyers

There are a lot of maritime employment opportunities in Norfolk, VA, which is situated close to the body of water known as Hampton Roads, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Working in the shipyards and coal piers around here can provide a decent wage, but it’s also a perilous way to make a living. Maritime workers face a large number of physical hazards every day—everything from slippery walking surfaces to dangerous chemicals. On- and offshore accidents happen quite often.

What can maritime employees do if they become seriously hurt on the job? They should contact a maritime accident lawyer who can help them obtain compensation for their injuries. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., experienced maritime personal injury lawyers can examine your case and help you maximize your payout. Our nationally based maritime law firm has a presence in Norfolk, VA and other areas throughout the country. We can take your case no matter where the incident occurred.

The Dangers of Maritime Employment

The sad truth is that it’s far too easy to get hurt while working in the maritime sector. Our longshoremen attorneys have seen many types of injuries and illnesses that clients have suffered while engaged in maritime employment. Commonly encountered injuries and conditions include the following:

• Amputation
• Skin burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Compartment Syndrome
• Pleural disorders
• Brain damage
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Tug, Barge and Dredge Injuries

If you’ve been injured in any way, you should reach out to a maritime accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Jones Act lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., have years of experience with these matters.

Maintenance and Cure

Injured seamen have a number of ways of collecting financial compensation. The easiest form of compensation to get is known as maintenance and cure, which is given out regardless of who is at fault for the injury. This has been a part of general maritime law for generations. It actually consists of two separate parts: maintenance (which covers basic living expenses during the recovery period) and cure (which covers medical expenses linked to the injury or illness).

In some cases, employers refuse to provide the full amount of maintenance and cure that an injured employee is entitled to receive under maritime law. A qualified maritime lawyer can help fight for your rights.

Other Maritime Compensation

If you have been harmed on the job due to someone else’s negligence, you could be eligible to collect additional compensation. Because there are a variety of laws pertaining to maritime personal injury, it can be difficult to determine which laws pertain to a given case. Here’s where an experienced maritime accident lawyer is essential.