Signing a Release for a Deckhand Injury Could Be the Worst Move You Make

To sign or not to sign? You want to trust your employer and their insurance company, but is signing a release for your deckhand injury a good idea?

If you sign a release following an offshore accident, it could be one of the worst moves you make. Unfortunately, maritime employers are frequently more concerned about protecting their financial interests than protecting their employees. That means you could be signing away your rights to compensation.

WAIT – Don’t Do Anything Yet

1. Talk with a lawyer first. Before you sign anything given to you by your employer or the insurance company, you need to talk with an experienced maritime lawyer. You might not be aware of your rights under the law and might not know the true value of your case. An attorney will be able to review the details of your accident and advise you accordingly.
2. Know your rights. As a deckhand, you have certain legal rights. Deckhands are generally considered seamen under the Jones Act and are entitled to compensation following an offshore accident. This compensation is known as maintenance and cure and is supposed to cover your medical care and living expenses. If negligence caused your accident, you might be able to pursue a Jones Act lawsuit, which means you could recover monetary damages.
3. Find out the value of your case. Knowing the value of your maritime injury case will help you when negotiating a settlement with your employer. While there is no “one-size-fits-all” formula for calculating the value, an experienced maritime attorney can give you a general estimate. A lawyer can also help you obtain a reasonable settlement.

For a free evaluation regarding your maritime injury case, contact our office by calling 877.724.7800. 

Be sure to order a FREE copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. It has information you need to read, as an injured deckhand.