The Maritime Worker Who Might Be Blacklisted

It is easy to pass judgment when someone else is the one suing his or her employer. However, when you are the one who was injured in a maritime accident, there is a whole different set of concerns on your mind.

The most common worry of a maritime worker is – will I be blackballed or blacklisted in the industry, if I sue my employer?

After the initial shock of an offshore accident has worn off, anxiety often sets in. There is the stress of how medical bills and living expenses will be paid and the uncertainty of how long it will take to recover from an injury. At the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, we regularly talk with injured offshore workers, who despite their concerns over their bills, are much more consumed with the fear that they will be blacklisted in the industry if they decide to sue. That is why we felt that it was important to address this very real concern and put everyone’s mind at ease.

We are not going to mislead you and tell you that no one is ever blackballed within the industry. It does happen. People are sometimes unable to work in the maritime industry again. However, it doesn’t happen to everyone and there is a reason.

Below are the factors that may result in a maritime employee being shunned from the industry:

1. The maritime worker has filed 6 to 7 lawsuits during his or her career. While you should consider filing an injury claim if you are seriously hurt from negligence, not every injury warrants a claim. It is understandable that maritime employers would be hesitant to hire someone who has a history of filing lawsuits.
2. The maritime worker has filed illegitimate or frivolous claims. Let’s face it - people sometimes file claims that are not legit. These frivolous lawsuits waste everyone’s time and are a poor reflection on the maritime worker. You can hardly blame a maritime company for not wanting to employ one of these workers.

If you have been hurt offshore and have questions, feel free to contact our office. A maritime attorney will review your case, at no charge. Contact us today by calling 877.724.7800 or filling out our online form.

Be sure to order a FREE copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.