If you work on the waterways of Georgia you are suspect to specific injuries and accidents that are unique to the type of work you perform on a daily basis. The role of a Georgia maritime accident lawyer is to represent you after an accident and ensure you understand the rights afforded to you by federal maritime law.
If you’ve been injured as a maritime worker in Georgia, or any state, we encourage you to make a free phone call today to learn about your rights. A Georgia maritime accident lawyer at Willis Law Firm is standing by ready to help you.
Types of Maritime Workers Eligible for Compensation for Their Injuries
Federal courts have established guidelines for who is considered to be a “master or a member of a crew” as outlined in the Jones Act. These are the Georgia maritime workers eligible for compensation after an accident. To be considered a master or a member of a crew, a person should contribute to the vessel’s function and have an arguably permanent assignment to a vessel or a number of vessels. Specifically, employees covered by the Jones Act have included:
- Masters
- Mates
- Pilots
- Sailors
- Deckhands
- Stewards
- Cooks
- Cabin & kitchen boys
- Surveyors
- Carpenters & metalworkers
- Oil rig workers
- Firemen
- Waiters & bartenders
Harbor workers, guests, and persons only temporarily aboard a vessel will likely not be considered Jones Act seamen. The key determination is whether any given worker is a permanent vessel worker or merely a temporary one. Occasionally, courts will try to make the determination by applying “the 30% standard,” which means the worker must spend no less than 30% of his or her employment time on ships to be considered Jones Act seaman.
Components of a Georgia Maritime Accident Lawsuit
At WIllis Law Firm we act as your advocate from your initial phone call. You will work alongside a Georgia maritime accident lawyer to finalize the following important components of your Georgia maritime accident claim, including:
- Determine if you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Begin planning for the statutory payment for sickness.
- Ensure proper medical care and documentation of visits and procedures.
- Establish employment records and documentation.
If you have been involved in a maritime accident in Georgia (or any other state), let the experienced legal team at Willis Law Firm help you recover the financial compensation you’re entitled to in order to properly heal.
A Georgia Maritime Accident Lawyer is Standing By to Help
You may feel like you fall into a gray area and are unsure what laws apply to your unique situation. We are here to provide clarity. Let the Georgia maritime attorneys at Willis Law Firm help you recover all of your damages if you have suffered from any type of maritime injury. Call today to speak with a Georgia maritime accident lawyer for immediate assistance and answers to your questions.
