Orlando Maritime Lawyers

The state of Florida is home to a thriving maritime industry, and the Orlando, FL metropolitan area (pop. 2.3 million) is home to many people currently employed in this sector. Maritime employment can indeed be very lucrative, but this line of work is not without its dangers. The simple fact is that maritime workers must cope with a variety of hazards to their health, from dangerous chemicals to rough weather. Injuries, sometimes life-altering ones, are hardly uncommon in this field.

For those who have been harmed in connection with their maritime responsibilities, aid is available in the form of financial compensation. But you shouldn’t try to handle the claims process all alone—you need a maritime personal injury lawyer with a firm grasp of Jones Act claims and related aspects of law. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., we have a staff of admiralty and longshoremen attorneys who can guide you through the maze of the legal system so you can obtain the settlement to which you are entitled.

Common Maritime Injuries and Health Issues

Offshore accidents are nothing to be dismissed lightly. Maritime employees can and do become seriously hurt while on the job. This is just a selection of the injuries common to this industry:

• Back & spine injuries
• Burns
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Compartment Syndrome
• Amputation
• Pleural (lung) disorders
• Brain damage

If you have been harmed over the course of your employment as a maritime worker, whether or not in a way included in the above list, you can qualify for financial compensation.

What Kinds of Compensation Are Available?

For injured maritime and offshore employees, the most fundamental form of compensation is maintenance and cure. Ailing seamen can receive money to provide a modest level of living expenses during their period of recovery (maintenance) in addition to compensation for medical bills and expenses (cure). You can qualify for maintenance and cure regardless of who is responsible for the injury in question.

Depending on the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, it is possible to qualify for additional compensation as well. This area of law is far from straightforward, though—there are a variety of factors that must be accurately assessed. Turning to an experienced maritime accident lawyer is your best bet when it comes to maximizing your chances of securing a suitable settlement.