After a serious offshore accident, most maritime injury victims are most concerned with getting better and ensuring that they can still provide for their family. What many don’t expect is that one of their biggest challenges will be getting the insurance company to treat them fairly.
Why are insurance companies so tough on injured workers? It is very simple – they are in the business to make money, not to give generously to accident victims. As soon as they find out that you may have a claim with them, they’ll do everything they can to make sure they pay as little as possible – if anything at all.
What can you do to make sure you receive fair treatment from the insurance company after a maritime accident?
- Review your case with an EXPERIENCED maritime accident attorney. It is very important that you discuss your maritime case with a lawyer who has proven experience handling these types of cases. Maritime injury cases are really not like any other type of case, and the laws can be complex and confusing. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to make sure you have a determined, skilled attorney on your side.
- See YOUR OWN doctor. One way that insurance companies save money is by convincing injured maritime workers to see a company doctors. However, many of these doctors only have the best interest of the insurance company in mind, and they will downplay your injuries or even say you aren’t injured at all! Protect yourself – ALWAYS go to a doctor of your own choosing.
- Don’t sign ANYTHING or give a recorded statement without first getting independent advice. In an effort to trick you into signing away your rights, your employer or the insurance company may pressure you to sign one or more documents. They may tell you that you must sign a document or make a recorded statement in order to receive treatment, or in order to receive compensation for your injuries. Don’t fall for this trick! The experienced attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom will review any documents you are asked to sign FOR FREE, even if you have not yet hired us (and as long as you have not hired another attorney). We do this because we believe it is important to protect the rights of ALL injured maritime workers.
- Don’t go back to work until you are fully healed. To save money, employers, insurance companies and company doctors often pressure injured maritime workers in to going back to work before they are ready. If you do this, you risk re-injuring yourself and possibly causing damage that could last a lifetime. Make sure your independent doctor agrees that it is okay for you to go back to work before you do.
Get help with your maritime injury or Jones Act case today. Please contact the experienced maritime law and Jones Act attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C.
Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801
