Were you injured in a maritime accident off the coast of Boston, MA? You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Maritime accident cases are notoriously complex. Let an experienced Boston maritime accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
For more than a decade, we’ve been known for our dedication and commitment to getting our clients the money they need. We’ll put in the hard work to maximize your compensation award–so you can focus on recovering.
If you’re interested in learning more, call our law offices in Boston, Massachusetts at (774)-214-2515 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP Can Help After a Maritime Accident in Boston
Admiralty and maritime law is extremely complex. If you were hurt, you may have multiple legal options for recovering compensation–some more beneficial than others. You deserve to have a Boston personal injury lawyer with experience handling these complex cases in your corner.
Unfortunately, the safety regulations that apply on the water don’t always protect workers the way they should. After a maritime accident, large companies often get away with denying responsibility, paying lowball settlements, or even shifting the blame to workers. Our attorneys are here to fight back.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our attorneys have heard every excuse and experienced every tactic in the book. We know the great lengths that insurance companies and their defense lawyers will go to in order to avoid paying up–and we don’t give in.
When you hire us, you can expect a lawyer who will:
- Closely evaluate your injury claim to make sure your case is filed under the most beneficial maritime laws that govern your case
- Conduct a full-scale investigation to identify the cause of your accident
- Locate all parties who might share in the blame
- Defend you when the insurance company tries to blame you for getting hurt
When it counts most, we’re dedicated to getting results for our clients on the east coast. That dedication has paid off. We’ve won millions in compensation for our clients and are prepared to fight for you.
Are you ready to learn more about how we’ll put 100 years of experience to work for you? Call our law firm for a free consultation today.
How Common Are Maritime Accidents in Boston?
The maritime economy is thriving in Boston. According to recent data, the maritime industry in Massachusetts is made up of over 5,500 employers that employ more than 90,000 workers. These businesses represent about 2.6% of the overall economy in the Commonwealth.
While working in the maritime industry can be profitable, it can also be dangerous for those who actually perform the work. Reports show that marine accidents killed 1,163 people and caused $197 million in insured losses during 2017 alone.
We Handle All Types of Maritime Accident Cases in Boston
Maritime workers are often on the job for long hours. They’re often exposed to equipment that hasn’t been properly maintained and employers who put profits ahead of worker safety.
Whether you were hurt on the water or nearby, you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
Our attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP handle maritime accident cases involving:
- Fishing vessels
- Charter boats
- Crab boats
- Cruise line accidents
- Recreational boating accidents
- Tankers
- Tug boats
- Cargo ships
- Barges
- Dockside accidents
- Shipyard accidents
- Accidents that happen on piers, terminals, or wharves
Whether you were working at the time of the accident or simply enjoying a day on the water, our Boston maritime accident attorneys are here to help. If you were hurt and are interested in learning more about our practice areas, just give us a call to schedule a free case review today.
What is My Boston Maritime Accident Case Worth?
Maritime accidents are complicated by the fact that several different laws might apply in your case. Generally, United States federal courts have jurisdiction over maritime accidents. However, injured parties may choose to pursue damages in either state or federal court.
If someone’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit like any car accident victim. You may also be entitled to damages under laws specifically designed to protect maritime workers.
The available compensation will depend heavily on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a type of federal workers’ compensation system. It gives injured maritime workers the right to sue an employer for negligence if they get hurt. You can pursue compensation under the Jones Act if your employer’s actions contributed in any way to the accident and injuries.
The Jones Act covers workers who primarily work on a vessel, like cruise ship workers and other crew members.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
This federal law covers workers who primarily work on the docks, terminals, piers, or shipyards. It provides compensation for medical bills, as well as disability pay. Like traditional workers’ compensation benefits, you don’t have to prove negligence to recover benefits.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Maritime Accident Victims?
Injured maritime workers are generally entitled to “maintenance and cure.” That means compensation for things like lost wages and income, as well as medical expenses. Your employer is required to provide maintenance and cure for as long as you’re hurt–until the day you reach maximum medical improvement.
You may also be entitled to compensation for unseaworthiness under general maritime laws.
That means you may be entitled to reimbursement for:
- Medical bills
- All future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- And more
Are you interested in learning more about available damages in your case? Call our law offices today to schedule a free case evaluation with a lawyer who’s experienced in handling cases like yours.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Maritime Accident in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has adopted a modified comparative negligence law that applies in most personal injury cases. If you were partly responsible, you may be entitled to recover partial damages. However, if you are found to be 51% or more to blame, you lose your right to compensation entirely.
In other words, you can recover damages as long as you weren’t mostly to blame for the accident.
Maritime-specific laws are more favorable to workers who are being blamed for their injuries. Under The Jones Act, for example, you can recover compensation if your employer was even 1% responsible for the accident.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Maritime Accident Injuries
Offshore workers tend to suffer the most when it comes to employers who want to cut corners to maximize a profit. That negligence can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Our lawyers are here to hold the responsible parties accountable for your accident and injuries.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we’ll fight to recover fair compensation for all of your maritime accident injuries, including:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Bone and ligament injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Getting hurt on the water can be overwhelming. Recovering from a serious injury can add even more stress to your daily life. Our personal injury attorneys in Boston are here to help get the money you need to pay your medical bills and meet your daily expenses.
What Causes Most Maritime Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts?
Accidents can happen anywhere, including on the water.
Usually, they happen because someone didn’t use the caution needed to keep everyone safe.
In other words, most maritime accidents are caused by negligence.
Some of the most common causes of maritime accidents in Boston include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fishing accidents
- Inadequate employee training
- Lack of supervision
- Inadequate safety protection
- Communication failures
- Drug or alcohol use
- Equipment failures
- Defective machinery, tools or equipment
- General unseaworthiness
- Fires and explosions
- Failure to follow industry safety rules and regulations
- Worker fatigue
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or hazardous materials
If you were hurt because someone else was negligent, you’re usually entitled to some form of compensation. Our personal injury attorneys will carefully review the facts of your case to identify all possible sources of compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Maritime Accident in Massachusetts?
The time limits can vary depending upon the maritime laws that will apply in your case. Under Massachusetts personal injury law, you have three years to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Under The Jones Act, you also have three years to file your claim.
These time limits aren’t something you should take lightly. If you were hurt, get legal help as soon as you can. You could risk losing your right to compensation if you wait too long.
Contact a Boston Maritime Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you hurt off the coast of Boston or while working near the water? Call an experienced Boston maritime accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to schedule a free consultation today. You may have options for recovering substantial compensation.
Our Boston personal injury law firm also provides:
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Boston, MA
- Car Accident Lawyers in Boston
- Construction Accident Lawyers in Boston, MA
- Boston Dog Bite Lawyers
- Electric Scooter Accident Lawyers in Boston
- Boston, Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Motorcycle accident attorney in Boston
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- Boston, Massachusetts, Product Liability Lawyers
- Slip and Fall Lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston Taxi Accident Lawyer
- Truck Accident Lawyer in Boston
