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Jones Act Attorney Says: “Know Your Rights Following a Barge Fire”
It happened in early October – a barge caught fire in New Orleans. According to Fox News, a barge fire ignited at Southern Scrap near the Industrial Canal. As the story unfolded, it appeared as though a safety net caught fire. It wasn’t long before the fire spread, as the barge was carrying quite a bit of fuel. While no one was supposedly injured in the barge fire, this type of situation often doesn’t have such a good ending.
Barge fires are more common than the maritime industry would care to admit.
Not only do these vessels carry a large amount of fuel, but they also serve various purposes – from transporting cargo to drilling in shallow water. Many of these activities can lead to fires. Take the Texas barge explosion in March 2010, as an example. Two men were welding on a crude oil barge in Ingleside, when a spark ignited fumes, causing a massive explosion. The impact of the explosion threw one of the workers into the bay. Both welders were injured in the blast.
The Jones Act may protect your rights following a barge fire.
If you or one of your family members has been injured in a barge fire, you need to become familiar with a federal law known as the Jones Act. This law provides compensation for medical care and living expenses, while an injured seaman recovers from his injuries. These benefits are known as maintenance and cure. However, the protection under the Jones Act doesn’t stop there. If the barge fire was caused by negligence, whether on the part of the vessel owner, fellow crewmember or other person involved with the barge, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit.
Sometimes you just need to talk to someone.
There are many things that you will need to know about the Jones Act and your rights. You also need to be aware of what actions should be taken, and avoided, after a barge accident. To learn more, contact an experienced Jones Act attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom at 877.724.7800. The consultation is free and confidential.
If you have been injured in a maritime accident, we recommend that you do your research. All too often, the company will try to trick you into signing away your legal rights, ask you to give a recorded statement that will hurt your case, force you to see company doctors, or steer you in the wrong direction. Below is a list of resources we provide to injured maritime employees for FREE. Free Book Written By Board Certified Injury Attorney Brian Beckcom
