Why would my employer ask me to complete a handwritten statement immediately following my maritime accident?

A: This trick is one of the most common ones used by maritime companies. Sadly, some employers in the offshore industry or more concerned about protecting themselves than fairly compensating their injured employees.

It is very difficult to process what just happened when you are hurt offshore. Accidents can occur in an instance, leaving you in a complete haze. Don’t be quick to fill out a handwritten statement. You need time to think things over.

There are many tactics used by maritime companies to avoid liability for their employees’ injuries. We recently posted an article about a former Kirby Inland Marine employee who slipped on a deck that was covered in gasoline. Not only did his supervisor spill gasoline and fail to report it, the company refused to pay the deckhand’s medical treatment. The company used all kinds of tactics to evade responsibility.

You need to proceed cautiously after an offshore accident. For more information, contact an experienced Jones Act attorney at our office by calling 877.724.7800. You should also order a free copy of the book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.