Missouri City Dock Worker Accident Lawyer

Dock workers perform jobs vital to the local, state, and national economies. With their hard work, cargo is loaded, unloaded, and distributed to where it is supposed to go. However, these jobs can be dangerous because they require working around heavy machinery near the water.

If you or a loved one was injured as a longshoreman, a Missouri City dock worker accident lawyer could help you seek damages for your losses. Connect with our team of diligent maritime injury attorneys today to learn more about how you could obtain compensation.

Types of Accidents That Take Place on Docks

Dockers perform complex tasks in all weather conditions. They work regularly with massive equipment and cargo. Even the slightest mistake can result in severe injuries to multiple people. The most common types of accidents that can injure a dock worker are as follows:

• A shipping container getting dislodged and crushing someone
• Cargo falling onto a worker from a ship, ladder, or pallet
• Slipping on a wet surface or tripping on debris
• Falling off a ladder or from a high elevation
• Falling off a vessel into the water
• Misusing equipment, such as nets, hooks, or cranes

A dedicated lawyer in Missouri City could examine a dock worker’s accident to determine what went wrong and whether someone acted negligently and should be held liable for their injuries.

Recovering Compensation After a Dock Accident

Typical workers’ compensation laws do not apply to dock employees. However, there are several other avenues that people in this type of work can take to be compensated following an accident that left them with injuries.

Federal Statutory Relief

Depending on the type of dock work performed, someone could be eligible to collect compensation under the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Although these federal statutes exist to protect injured maritime workers, obtaining fair compensation under either of them is not always straightforward.

Failure to adhere to the precise procedural requirements could result in a reduction or even denial of compensation. A trusted legal professional could determine if a worker has the right to seek compensation under the LHWCA or the Jones Act and make sure they get a fair settlement value.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit

Injured dock workers can also file a civil suit against anyone else responsible for causing the accident that led to their injury. To prevail, they must prove that the other party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct caused the accident. For instance, an employee could file a suit against the manufacturer of a crane that suddenly and inexplicably snapped and fell onto them, causing severe harm.

A Missouri City lawyer could look at the facts of an accident and help build a solid case for an injured dock worker. By doing so, they could work to maximize the individual’s potential compensation.

Speak with a Missouri City Dock Worker Accident Attorney Today

Dock accidents can result in devastating injuries that impact your life dramatically.  When you are hurt as a worker, you may be eligible to pursue damages for your losses. Working with a seasoned Missouri City dock worker accident lawyer who understands all applicable laws and regulations is critical to your claim’s success.

Call today to schedule an initial consultation and to speak with a determined personal injury attorney from our team.