5 Steps to Take after a Maritime Injury
Maritime jobs, in general, can often be extremely dangerous and lead to serious injuries in some circumstances. To make matters even more confusing, the maritime laws can be complex and very nuanced, especially if you aren’t well-versed in that area of the law (which most of us probably aren’t). If you find yourself suffering from a maritime injury, it’s important to take certain time-sensitive steps to ensure that you receive any help or compensation you’re entitled to. Consider taking the following 5 steps after a maritime injury:
Seek Medical Attention
Anytime you suffer an injury at work, one of the most important things you can do is to seek medical attention. Make sure you take note of your injuries so you can let your lawyer know specifically what happened. Additionally, you should consider speaking with a lawyer before you seek medical attention if possible. They can let you know if you’re required to see a specific doctor or fill out any special forms in regards to your maritime injury.
Speak with your Employer
Another crucial step after an injury is to inform your employer about the injury and let them know what occurred. This is an important requirement. It will help you to make certain that everything is properly documented and will ensure that you follow all of the necessary rules in order to recover any compensation you might be entitled to.
Collect Any Relevant Information and Evidence
Anytime you suffer a maritime injury, it’s in your best interest to collect as much information and evidence as possible so you can prove the injuries you suffered, and document exactly how the accident occurred. This is especially important if you think your employer might try to cover up the accident. Don’t delay these steps.
Speak with a Lawyer
Finding a lawyer who has specific experience in maritime law is absolutely crucial because of the confusing and unusual laws involved in a maritime injury. Employers often try to deny their liability and don’t want to provide employees with the care and compensation that they are entitled to, so having a Savannah personal injury lawyer who knows what your rights are is crucial. Additionally, maritime injuries can occur in unexpected ways, and it can be difficult to investigate them properly due to where the accident took place. Maritime laws have different standards that have to be proven, which are different than in a typical personal injury case, so if you don’t have a lawyer who knows what they’re doing, you could end up losing out on significant compensation and care.
Don’t Discuss The Incident With Anyone Other Than Your Lawyer
Anytime you’re involved in an accident at work and suffer injuries, it’s advisable not to discuss the situation with anyone besides your attorney. Typically, anything you say and do after an injury can and likely will be used against you in the event that a trial takes place. In a maritime injury, this is very important. Your employer will want to avoid liability to any extent possible and may even try to have you sign paperwork that unknowingly imperils your legal rights. Make sure you don’t talk to anyone or sign anything without speaking with legal representation first.