Admiralty, Jones Act, Maritime Lawyer in Chicago

washing ship side

Have You Been Injured at Sea? You Need a Maritime Accident Lawyer.

Men and women who work at sea frequently work in hazardous conditions. It is your employer’s responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment for their employees under the Jones Act. Have you or a loved one been injured while working on a boat, cruise ship, or off-shore facility? An experienced maritime injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

Have You Been Injured in a Maritime Accident?

If you were injured at sea, it was likely due to unsafe working conditions or the negligence of another worker. Balkin Law Group works with:
  • Captains
  • Deck hands and other crewmembers
  • Crane operators
  • Drillers, OIM’s, and toolpushers
  • Floorhands and roustabouts

Your employer will fight you, blame your injuries on you, and get you back to work as soon as possible. The company knows that with skilled legal council you may be able to win a substantial legal claim against them. Many off-shore employees make more than $100,000 per year and getting you back to work quickly helps your employer reduce potential legal claims.

Common Types of Off-Shore Injuries

Balkin Law Group has helped hundreds of injured off-shore workers and seamen get the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common maritime injuries we have worked with include:

  • Falls caused by grease or oil on the deck of a ship
  • Injuries caused by broken equipment
  • Unsafe work methods or procedures
  • Injuries caused by the negligent maintenance of the vessel, tools, machinery, and equipment

  • An employer failing to provide proper safety equipment, tools, or training to employees so they can perform their jobs effectively and safely
  • The negligence of coworkers
  • Assault by a coworker

Have You Been Injured on a Boat or Other Vessel? We Can Help you File A Jones Act Claim.

Unlike most land-based jobs, men and women working on boats cannot file worker’s compensation claims against their employers. The Jones Act was put in place to give seamen the legal protection they need if they are injured on the job. The law states that employers must:

  • Provide a reasonably safe work environment for their employees.
  • Use reasonable care in maintaining and keeping the vessel safe and in good working order.

If employers are found to be negligent in fulfilling their duties and this negligence directly causes the injury of an employee, then legal action can be taken by the employee to recover damages. The law is very favorable towards seamen, but has strict criteria of who is eligible to file Jones Act claims. If you have been injured on a boat, you need the help of the skilled maritime personal injury attorneys at Balkin Law Group .

Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you’ve been hurt on the job, it’s likely it was due to the negligence of a coworker or your employer. Your employer will do anything they can to keep you from filing a claim. They will often try anything from trying to blame the accident on you, to trying to exploit your friendships and loyalty to the company. It’s not disloyal to stand up for your legal rights and protect your family. A skilled maritime lawyer at Balkin Law Group can help you understand your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, suffering, diminished quality of life, and lost wages.