Tankerman Injury Attorneys

The Jones Act only grants legal rights to injured maritime workers who meet the legal definition of a seaman. A few determining factors in qualification include:

• Does the tankerman work on a vessel that is in navigation?
• Do the tankerman’s job duties contribute to the function or mission of the vessel?
• Does the tankerman have a substantial connection to a single vessel (spending at least 30 percent of employment on it)?

Read more about who qualifies as a Jones Act seaman

Because the specifics of each case are so different, it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate for how long a case might go on. Most cases will take at least a few months but can take a year or even longer.

We know you need this money to cover the financial cost of your accident so you can take care of your family, so how much a case is worth is a very reasonable question. The truth is, we can’t give a quick or easy response.

The facts of every case are unique. The legal issues involved will be different depending on those details. These are determining factors in the potential value of your case.

While we can’t tell you now what your case is worth, we can point you to some of our verdicts and settlements. We also strongly encourage you to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced maritime lawyers to discuss the facts of your case.

Some workers who have been injured in maritime accidents decide not to file a lawsuit because of a fear of reprisal by their employers and getting put on the dreaded “blacklist.”

We can’t say for certain whether there is an actual “blacklist” floating around among maritime employers. What we do know is that this should NOT be a deciding factor in pursuing a claim. We know the laws that protect tankermen and other maritime workers from being retaliated against, and we can help you utilize those laws to protect your future in the maritime and offshore industry.

Read more about the rumored “blacklist”

If a tankerman qualifies for maintenance and cure benefits, the employer is required to pay these benefits until the tankerman reaches Maximum Medical Improvement. If the maritime company you work for is “arbitrary and capricious” or “willful or callous” in delaying, denying or terminating these benefits, the law allows the tankerman to take legal action, including punitive damages and attorney’s fees.

Read more about your rights if an employer ends maintenance and cure too soon

If you’re a tankerman who was injured on the job, we know you are worried about finances already. Paying a lot of money out of pocket for an attorney isn’t something you can afford.

At The Lambert Firm, we handle tankerman accident cases on a contingency basis. That means there are no up-front charges for our services, and we don’t get paid until we recover compensation for you.

Contact the experienced maritime attorneys our law firm today to schedule a free consultation. We’ve represented all types of maritime workers injured while in port; on inland waterways, intercoastal waterways, or the open seas.