Monday, September 21, 2009

Consider Lawsuit Funding for Maritime Injury Cases

Were You Injured At Sea? If You have a Pending Lawsuit pertaining to a Maritime injury you may want to Consider Lawsuit Funding. These laws apply not only to injured workers, but, to any passengers as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_admiralty_law Passengers on cruise ships, ferries, riverboat casinos, recreational boats, or other vessels may qualify. When ships or boats, are not maintained properly, unsafe conditions occur and vessels become unseaworthy. Owners may be liable for on-board passengers' injuries caused or contributed to by unsafe conditions. Operating or maintaining a ship or boat in a negligent or careless manner also creates liability for injuries to passengers. Passengers injured in Maritime accidents may qualify for financial compensation.


Working on a commercial vessel fishing boat, ocean liner, cruise ship, oil rig, or different types of commercial vessels can result in injury, serious injury, or even death. Maritime laws were created for compensation of injured workers, or for the survivors of workers who are killed in the performance of their duties at sea or, while the ship or boat is docked. The most common injuries are slip and fall accidents, , falling cargo, and loading and unloading incidents, which usually result in back injuries. In most instances, the injured worker must show that he/she was injured as the result of the negligence of his/her employer. Negligence may be proven if the employee can show unsafe work conditions, negligent navigation (collision with another ship, the dock, and iceberg, or other sea object). There are also laws that protect dock workers, such as longshoremen and other maritime employees who are considered "land-based".


Maritime laws cover a wide variety of on-the-job injuries. Financial compensation may be available under maritime workers' compensation laws if the employee works on vessels on the Oceans, Intra-coastal waterways, wharfs, docks or piers, or terminals. Injuries occurring in adjoining areas used for loading, unloading, repair, building and/or dismantling also qualify for compensation. The two main laws that cover or insure most maritime accidents are the Jones Act (aka the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. These laws provide for specific rights and protections to workers who are injured while at sea. Whether injured at sea, or injured on the dock, workers qualify for compensation for time off work, medical care, medication and/or physical therapy, living expenses, and, if necessary, job training for a new career if they are unable to return to their previous employment. Examples of qualifying occupations are employees on ships, offshore oil rigs and platforms, tugboats, barges, fishing and/or seafood boats, riverboats (including gambling boats), ferries, water taxis, coastguard vessels, and other ocean, intra-coastal or canal vessels.


"Employee" classes include crew members, captains, cooks, maintenance employees, and other vessel employees. The difference between on-land state workers compensation laws and Maritime laws is, that the employee can receive intangible damages for "pain and suffering" in Maritime cases, whereas in land based state workers compensation cases, only out of pocket medical, wage loss and retraining expenses are available. Under both systems, transportation costs for medical care are also available.


Whether you are injured as a passenger or an employee at sea, it is highly recommended that you retain the services of an experienced maritime attorney to pursue your Maritime case. If you already have an attorney and are pursuing a Maritime case, whether as a passenger or an employee, you are probably experiencing financial difficulties as the result of your injuries. Serious injuries usually cause long-term disability. Insurance companies often deny you the benefits you deserve so that you will be desperate to settle your case for their low-ball offer, when it finally comes. Freedom First Funding can help provide funding for your extraordinary medical expenses, mortgage or rent payments, car payments, food, utilities or other important expenses. Maritime legal funding can help between the insurance company's low first offer and a fair settlement at the end of the case. In addition to Maritime legal funding. we provide auto accident lawsuit funding medical malpractice legal funding, slip & fall lawsuit funding, airplane crash lawsuit funding, train crash lawsuit funding, and many other types of personal injury lawsuit funding. You don't have to accept first low offer because you need cash now. Legal funding from Freedom First Funding will help to pay your immediate bills and give you and your attorney the time needed to get the full value of your case. Use our money to get that larger case settlement. Contact us, toll free, at 1-877-Funder4 or, visit or website at: www.freedomfirstfunding.com

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