Getting Maritime Law Benefits And Compensation For Traumatic Brain Injuries
With few exceptions, crewmen who have suffered a traumatic brain injury while working at sea are entitled to the maritime benefits of maintenance and cure. These no-fault benefits require the seaman’s employer to pay all of the seaman’s reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to his/her shipboard injury. Additionally, the employer must pay a daily living allowance while a crewman who has suffered a brain injury slowly recovers from his/her injuries.
Maritime injury lawyer James Beard of Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, represents commercial fishermen and seamen who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and post-concussive syndrome while working aboard their vessels. Beard and his partners understand traumatic brain injuries and they can help you get the treatment, therapy and counseling you need.
TBI Victims Are Entitled To Financial Compensation
There is nothing “minor or mild” about a brain injury. Medical research is now showing that you do not have to be “knocked unconscious” to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Where a crewman has suffered a brain injury as the result of negligence or the unseaworthiness of his vessel, the injury victim is entitled to compensation for his pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, past and future medical bills, vocational and occupational therapy, lost past and future wages and lost earning capacity.
Vessel Owners Owe You A Duty
Working aboard ships and fishing vessels at sea is far different from working at a land-based job. Crewmen on ships and fishing vessels are constantly exposed to potential risk of injury accidents that can lead to a traumatic brain injury. A vessel owner owes each of his crewmen a duty to provide a seaworthy vessel that is safe to work on. A piece of vessel equipment that fails under normal and expected use creates a presumption of unseaworthiness. A vessel must be properly manned by a competent crew. A seaman’s employer owes the crewman a similar duty to provide the crewman a reasonably safe place to work. A crewman’s employer must properly train and supervise the vessel’s crew. A crewman that is following the orders of his superior should not be found to be comparatively at fault for his injuries.
Symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries and post-concussive syndrome include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Loss of concentration and memory
- Sensitivity to light and noises
Traumatic brain injuries may also be accompanied by psychological injuries, seizure disorders, cognitive impairments, loss of smell and taste, vision problems and balance disorders. Recovering from these injuries is a slow process, and in some cases, there are lifelong deficits.
Our Attorneys Have Over 80 Combined Years Of Maritime Injury Law Experience
Brain injuries that result in cognitive disorders and emotional and psychological problems impact the injured crewman and his/her whole family. Getting his clients the best medical care possible is Mr. Beard’s goal in representing his clients. Don’t let your employer and their insurance company minimize the impact of your brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury victim shouldn’t trust the vessel’s insurance company to give them fair treatment and compensation for their injuries and economic losses. While you are recovering from your injuries the insurance company is hiring lawyers and investigators to attempt to defeat your claim for compensation. By hiring a maritime injury lawyer with experience in handling traumatic brain injuries and post-concussive syndrome, you are protecting your rights to fair compensation.
Millions Recovered For Injured Commercial Fishermen And Seamen
Thirty years of maritime legal experience has taught attorney Beard how accidents at sea can be prevented. He understands the men and women who work at sea and knows how their injuries will impact their ability to be employed in the future. He has been working with seriously injured crewmen and commercial fishermen his entire legal career. Mr. Beard has a unique ability to connect with his clients and can explain to them the complex federal maritime laws that govern their right to recover compensation for their injuries.
James Beard and his team at Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for their clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries while working at sea. Cases involving traumatic brain injuries are hard-fought, and the vessel owner will try to blame you for your own injury and will dispute the extent of your traumatic brain injury. To protect your legal rights, they will put a team of medical and maritime experts to work on your case.
Call An Experienced Jones Act Injury Claim Lawyer To Discuss Your Case
You can hire Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, on a contingency fee basis. You owe no fees until you receive compensation for your injuries. We can help you navigate the complicated maritime laws and get you the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let the vessel owner or their insurance carrier minimize your brain injury, contact our experienced maritime injury lawyers to protect your legal rights. Call Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP at 425-403-1900, or fill out our online contact form today to arrange your free consultation.