Do I need to report an injury that occurred on a barge? I was working as a deckhand at the time of the accident.

A: You do need to report your injury as soon as possible.  In fact, reporting your deckhand injury is one of the most important things you can do when you are injured. Your employer will want you to notify them immediately following an accident.

Even if you are second guessing the severity of your injuries, you need to report the accident.  Sometimes an injury that appears to be minor turns out to be serious, requiring extensive medical treatment and time off work.

When you report your barge accident, give as many details as you can, but don’t exaggerate. If there were any witnesses, you should provide that information as well.

An experienced Houston maritime attorney from our law firm can explain your legal rights and the value of your case.  The consultation is free.

For more information, order maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.