The Port of Savannah is the largest and fastest-growing container terminal in the United States. Savannah plays a critical role in the country’s supply chain as a major port. Unfortunately, working at major ports can be dangerous for employees.
Longshoremen and harbor workers face many hazards at work that can result in catastrophic injuries. Even when maritime workers follow OSHA maritime safety guidelines, they can still be injured at work.
That means longshoremen and harbor workers need experienced Georgia longshore worker injury attorneys to fight to protect their rights after an injury or accident at work. Our Savannah longshore injury lawyer at Parsons Law Group has over 27 years of experience handling longshore worker injury claims in Savannah. We have recovered millions for our clients in workers’ compensation claims.
Attorney J. Michael Parsons has prior experience as legal counsel for employers and insurance companies. He brings his insider knowledge to the table when representing injured harbor and longshore workers.
Contact Parsons Law Group to schedule a free consultation with our Savannah longshore worker lawyer. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case with you.
Why You Need a Savannah Longshore Injury Lawyer
Longshore worker injury claims are complex cases. They involve federal workers’ compensation laws. If you do not have specialized legal assistance, you might not receive the compensation you deserve for an injury at work.
Parsons Law Group opened its doors in 2003 to help injured workers avoid financial harm after serious injuries. Since that date, our legal team has aggressively fought for the rights of harbor workers and longshoremen in Georgia. Attorney Parsons has been a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2015. We have a perfect 10.0 rating with Avvo and Justia.
The benefits of hiring a local Savannah longshore injury lawyer include:
- A thorough understanding of local industrial practices
- A local maritime injury attorney in Savannah is more accessible than nationwide law firms
- Extensive knowledge of the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
- Personalized attention to your case, which allows the attorney to modify strategies and provide legal advice based on in-person discussions and effective communication
- Connections with local resources and professional relationships with local expert witnesses
- A Savannah longshore injury attorney accurately calculates the extent of your injuries and damages
- They’ll avoid errors and mistakes you or a less experienced lawyer could make with your case
Call us to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced longshore injury lawyer in Savannah, GA. We are well-versed in Georgia workers’ comp laws and maritime laws. With a well-earned reputation as a fierce advocate for injured workers, Parsons Law Group is here for you when you need a Savannah longshore worker lawyer on your side.
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that covers harbor workers and longshoremen. It was enacted in 1927 to compensate workers injured in jobs that occur on navigable waters in the United States. It also covers the adjoining areas they use to load, unload, build, and repair vessels.
The LHWCA is incredibly important for harbor and longshore workers in Savannah. They cannot apply for state workers’ compensation in Georgia. Therefore, the only workers’ comp benefits they can receive are through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
Benefits and compensation injured longshore and harbor workers may receive under LHWC include:
- Medical care, including hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor’s bills, medical supplies, etc.
- The cost of travel and mileage to and from medical treatments
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Temporary and permanent disability payments for lost wages or decreased earning capacity
- Survivors benefits are available if the employee’s injuries result in their death
You must report your injuries to your employer within 30 days. The deadline to file a formal claim with the U.S. Department of Labor under LHWCA is one year from the date of injury. Collecting benefits for a longshore injury in Savannah can be complicated. A Savannah longshore injury lawyer works to protect your right to federal workers’ comp benefits for a longshore or harbor work injury.
Common Injuries Faced by Longshore Workers in Savannah, GA
Longshore and harbor workers may be injured in countless ways at work. Common causes of injury include, but are not limited to:
- Fires or explosions
- Crane accidents
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Co-worker negligence
- Electrocution
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Forklift accidents
- Drowning
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment
The injuries caused by these accidents or hazards range from minor to catastrophic. Common injuries sustained by longshore and harbor workers include:
- Fractured, crushed, and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Hearing and vision loss
- Internal organ failure
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Severe scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Severe burns
If you are injured on the job, seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Documenting your injuries is crucial to a workers’ compensation claim for a longshore or harbor worker.
Savannah harbor worker injuries can result in life-altering impairments and disabilities. The impairments may also result in ongoing financial losses and medical expenses. An attorney can help you seek permanent disability payments if you cannot work because of your injuries.
What to Expect During Your Claim Process
If you are injured on the job, notify your employer or supervisor immediately or as soon as possible. You must give your employer written notice within 30 days to receive benefits. You only have one year to file a claim with the OWCP.
If your injuries require medical attention, do so promptly. You have the right to choose your physician, but ask your employer for a Form LS-1 Request for Examination and/or Treatment, unless it is a medical emergency.
Filing a claim under LHWCA can be a complicated process. You are dealing with a federal agency. Also, your employer or its insurance company may challenge your claim. If your claim is denied, you must act quickly to appeal the claim by following the correct procedures. A federal Administrative Law Judge will hear your appeal.
The employer and insurance company are represented by lawyers. Because the claims process and appeals involve complex law and many legal technicalities, it is easy for workers to make mistakes if they do not have an experienced Savannah longshore injury lawyer to help them navigate the process.
Contact Our Georgia Longshore Worker Injury Attorney Today
Are you a longshoreman or harbor worker who has been injured on the job? If so, call Parsons Law Group for a free consultation with a Savannah longshore injury lawyer. You can benefit from trusted legal advice as soon as possible after a workplace accident. An attorney can help you receive the benefits you deserve without unnecessary delays.