Jackson Longshoreman Injury Lawyer
Longshoremen are the ones responsible for loading and unloading ships in busy harbors. They work with multi-ton shipping containers which, while might make their job easier, also makes it more hazardous.
You may have seen busy ports in Mississippi with huge crates up to 40 feet long. These crates are loaded and unloaded by off massive ships and barges by longshoremen. These shipping containers weigh many tons, so the only way to move them is with multi-ton hoisting machinery. Without proper training, these machines can be extremely dangerous.
Longshoremen suffer many dangers while working on the harbor. They may suffer serious injuries that require significant financial resources. Those who are injured have some workers’ compensation coverage that they may or may not be aware of. That’s why seeking legal help is the best course of action.
Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC is skilled in maritime injury law. Let our experienced Jackson longshoreman injury lawyer assess your case and help you file a claim.
Dangers of Being a Longshoreman
In addition to loading and unloading cargo, longshoremen have other duties. They have to maintain the piers, docks, and shipping terminals at the ports where they work. They must also build and maintain ships. They often do many of these tasks in poor weather conditions.
Performing these activities can be risky. There are many hazards that can happen, including falls from piers, trips and falls, falling objects, exposure to dangerous chemicals, fires and explosions, injuries from construction equipment, and repetitive use injuries. Many accidents can also happen due to poor training, a lack of safety equipment, slippery conditions from water, fatigue, distractions, and malfunctioning equipment.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Longshoremen who are injured while at work are covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. This law is similar to the Jones Act, which was enacted to protect the rights of sailors and marine workers. Instead, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act offers protection to dockworkers. This act provides two-thirds of an injured longshoreman’s wages while they recuperate, regardless of who caused the accident). It also allows for an injured dockworker (or a deceased dockworker’s surviving family members) to collect damages for gross negligence or recklessness.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is the only means for dockworkers to recover damages for workplace injuries. This means that all claims against employers, owners, and fellow longshoremen have to be pursued under this act.
There is one exception, though. If a longshoreman’s injuries or death was caused by a third party (such as a ship owner or the manufacturer of a faulty shipping container), it may be possible to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC Today
Longshoreman accidents may involve tugboats, cranes, forklifts, barges, dredges, and defective products. If you are a longshoreman who has been injured on the job, make sure you understand your legal rights.
For help with a Mississippi workers’ compensation claim, contact the experienced Jackson longshoreman injury lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin, & Priebe, PLLC. Schedule a free consultation today. Give us a call at (601) 488-3975 or fill out the online form.
