Offshore Oil and Gas rigs accidents can be fatal. It is important you understand when to call for an Offshore Accident Lawyer to advise during times of unforeseen calamities.

From slips and falls to equipment failures, collisions, fires, and unsafe work practices and negligence, offshore injuries usually require costly medical care — sometimes long-term. Catastrophic injuries can mean an injured worker who relies on his or her physical ability may not be able to return to work. This can be devastating for families, particularly if the worker is the sole breadwinner and can no longer earn a living.

Offshore injuries are covered by laws that are different from those that apply to land-based workers. If you or someone you love has been injured or fallen ill while working offshore, you can get in touch with an experienced offshore injury attorney.

TYPES OF OFFSHORE INJURIES

When an offshore worker takes on employment in the maritime industry, it’s understood the job is physically demanding and comes with inherent risks that are far more dangerous compared to land-based work. Injuries are common and range from the very minor to the horrific, and even death. In many cases, minor injuries can become much more significant over time.

Some of the most common types of offshore injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury – TBIs can be sustained in any number of ways. Offshore workers are consistently putting themselves in construction and industrial-like environments. A blow to the head from a slip or fall, or being struck by a swinging or unsecured cargo, can cause traumatic brain injury. This can result in permanent cognitive or personality changes.
• Spinal and back injuries – Operating equipment, carrying heavy loads, and hard labor can be back-breaking work, requiring many hours of standing, lifting, twisting, and pulling. Offshore workers can sustain injuries from falls or being struck by vehicles or unstable loads. A back or neck injury can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and in the most severe cases can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Even when medical attention is administered promptly, there can be long term disabilities associated with spinal and back injuries.
• Slips and falls – Injuries experienced in slips and falls are among the most common — and can be serious. Accidents caused by slips and falls can result in concussions and contusions to broken bones. In some cases, slipping on the deck of a ship or platform can send you overboard, which immediately escalates into a very hazardous situation.
• Loss of hearing – If hearing protection is not provided or mandated, it’s possible that over time, workers will be exposed to enough significant noise to diminish their hearing. In some cases, where work environments are loud enough, tinnitus or total hearing loss can develop.
• Loss of limbs – Inadvertently walking into the path of a truck or forklift, working with cables under tensions, or getting a leg caught and crushed beneath unsteady cargo like coils, pipes, plates, and tires can lead to injuries requiring amputation. The loss of a limb is a life-changing injury and often requires a prosthetic.
• Crushing injuries and broken bones – Offshore work usually entails a significant reliance on heavy machinery, either for construction or for day-to-day work. Injuries can often occur when this machinery breaks down or when safety procedures are not followed. These injuries often result in broken or crushed bones. Crushing injuries can also result in damage to internal organs and create life-threatening situations.
• Hypothermia and frostbite – Offshore and maritime employees often work in extreme environments and at all times of the day and night. This means that offshore workers are often exposed to extremely cold conditions, which can cause hypothermia or frostbite. These dangers are exacerbated by exposure to the water, either through harsh conditions or a fall overboard.
• Drowning – A fall overboard can quickly escalate into a life-threatening injury, especially if recovery is not immediate. Additionally, hypothermia can become an issue even in relatively warm waters.
• Lung damage – When safety procedures are not followed or not enforced, or when accidents cause spills, workers can suffer serious chemical injuries. When these chemicals are inhaled, severe and long term lung damage can occur. In certain cases, exposure to high quantities of these chemicals can become immediately life-threatening. In other cases, smaller exposures can result in smaller injuries that can become chronic or cumulative.
• Fatalities – Each year, offshore workers tragically die in accidents along the East Coast of the United States. If you have lost a loved one who died as a result of an accident or negligence, you have a right to seek damages for their death.

CLAIMING COMPENSATION FOR OFFSHORE INJURIES

A serious injury offshore can be life-altering, especially if it’s classified as catastrophic. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances that contributed to them, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Lost earnings – A claim for lost wages can be very important for injured offshore workers and their families. If you are no longer able to work because of your injury, you can seek damages for the earnings you have lost, are losing, and will lose as a result of your injury.
• Medical expenses – If you’ve suffered a serious injury offshore, there’s every chance your medical bills are piling up. You may be able to claim present expenses as well as anticipated future medical expenses. Claims may include costs for surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, mental health care, and transportation costs for receiving treatment.
• Pain and suffering – This can be broken down into physical and mental pain and suffering: The pain of your actual physical injuries, as well as the pain and suffering from scarring, disfigurement, and ongoing complications; and the mental pain and suffering, including mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Additionally, if you qualify as a Jones Act seaman you are entitled to Maintenance and Cure, which is a basic right of all seamen. If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, your employer must pay your general living expenses (maintenance) and medical expenses (cure) while you are out of work recovering.

Offshore workers who do not meet the definition of “seaman” may qualify for benefits under a different federal law, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

In the most severe cases, offshore injuries can lead to death. Workers’ families may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT OFFSHORE INJURY ATTORNEY

If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident, it’s critical that you have an experienced maritime or offshore injury lawyer by your side who can fight aggressively for your legal rights. Maritime attorneys are skilled litigators who understand federal and state maritime laws and international agreements, and have sound judgment when it comes to helping you win your case and getting you the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Maritime law is a highly skilled and specialized area of law and there aren’t many attorneys who practice in the field as effectively as the attorneys at Montagna Maritime Law. Contact us today for your free case evaluation to discuss your legal options with an experienced maritime attorney, at no up front cost.

Montagna Maritime Law is located on 425 Monticello Ave Suite B, Norfolk, VA. From Norfolk International Airport follow Airport Rd, Robin Hood Rd and VA-165 S to US-13 S.

Read Also – University of Alabama; All you need know

Source: Montagna Maritime Law

Who owns GEICO?

GEICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that provides coverage for more than 24 million motor vehicles owned by more than 15 million policy holders as of year 2017.

Is GEICO a bad company?

Geico Insurance is good mostly for drivers. They are rated 9.1 out of 10.0  by  MarketWatch and named Editor’s Choice in 2021. Geico scored highly in their industry review due to its comprehensive coverage options, low average rates and strong customer service reputation.

The Alabama Farmers Federation, a statewide force in agriculture, lobbying and insurance, will mark its 100th anniversary at its two-day annual meeting, which begins Sunday.

Almost 1,200 farmers from each of Alabama’s 67 counties are expected for the meeting, which will include the election of state leaders of the organization and a program honoring the group’s history.

The program also will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Alfa Insurance Co., which was started by the organization in 1946. The company now provides coverage for more than 1 million farms, homes, cars and businesses.

“The centennial is a time to reflect on the past, remember those who came before us and rejoice in our accomplishments,” Federation President Jimmy Parnell said in a statement. “It’s also a time for recommitment to our values and visions.”

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Zippy Duvall, is among the speakers at the gathering.

In other news,

Farmers Union Insurance names Deagan as Wrestler of the week

Wrestler of the Week (11/22-11/28)

Deegan is an 8th grader at BCN High School in her 2nd year of wrestling. Deegan Kirschenmann;s name
will forever be stamped into VCHS Wrestling History, as she is the first ever female to tally a win in a
varsity dual.

In the home dual vs Fargo Davies, wrestling at 120 lbs, Deegan pinned Zander Anas of
Davies just 41 seconds into the first period.

Deegan is the daughter of Dustin and Lana Kirschenmann and she has one brother, Rekker and one
sister, Baynx.
Deegan is in Student Council as well as FCCLA. Her favorite sports are wrestling and archery and in her
free time she enjoys skateboarding, art and listening to music.

Her favorite classes are PE and science.
Her favorite foods is ramen. Her favorite video game is Minecraft. Deegan’s most memorable moment of
her wrestling career is her (first ever varsity win) vs Fargo Davies.

The wrestler of the week is sponsored by Farmers Union Insurance -Kirk Olson and Tyler VanBruggen.

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